How to Know If Your Makeup Is Counterfeit

Beauty junkies love a good deal — honestly, who doesn't? Sales and special offers of our favorite makeup brands don't come often enough and we're always on the lookout for the best prices on makeup and beauty products. But sometimes, our bargain-hunting takes us too far, to mysterious stores that sell all our favorite products...at suspiciously low prices. Is this too good to be true? Chances are, it is — and you may be in danger of purchasing fake makeup.

Counterfeit cosmetics has been a growing problem in the industry. Parent company Estee Lauder recently launched a series of investigations to crack down on sellers of fake M.A.C. products. Even Homeland Security got involved, forming Operation Plastic Beauty to prevent the entry of counterfeit beauty products in the country.  

There is real danger in buying and using fake makeup. It is not as simple as buying a knock-off Chanel bag — because you are actually applying these products on your skin. And with fake makeup and skin care, it is highly unlikely that they're made with the same safe ingredients as the original. Sure, it looks like the real thing, but it could contain horror story-worthy contaminants like arsenic, rat droppings and human urine (yes, really). You don't know what the effects may be — you may even have extreme allergic reaction due to fake beauty products. You wouldn't be the first: A beauty blogger even got an eye infection from using a fake Urban Decay eyeshadow palette. Yikes.

So, do yourself a favor and don't be swayed by the cheap price! Avoid fake makeup and skin care at all costs. Here are some tips on how you can figure out if your latest deal is actually counterfeit.

Image via Imaxtree