Tue
07
Sep
2010
Are You A Fashion Faker?
Last week, I happened on someone who was selling off her set of 24-piece M.A.C. brushes for B$35. Brunei Dollar Thirty-Five! I thought, 'Hot damn! If they're real, that's such a bargain price!' So, I contacted the person immediately and started my enquiries. According to this person, it's ORIGINAL M.A.C. brushes that she had gotten from Singapore.
She was kind of evasive when I asked how she managed to get them so cheap since just one brush would cost more than B$10. But I was curious to see the brushes and the same exact imitation ones are sold for around B$70+ here in Brunei. So, I got them anyway.
Well, they were fake, as I expected. The quality was so-and-so. I wouldn't use the face brushes because the bristles were rough and harsh. I may use some of the eyeshadow brushes though, ONLY after thoroughly washing them.
In Brunei, I got to admit that there are loads of fake products available. DVDs, handbags, clothes, jewellry and so on.
Personally, I don't have much of a problem with my conscience in purchasing replica handbags or copied DVDs. After all, you get to watch an almost-same quality movie for just a fraction of an original. Or look great with an almost-same handbag for just hundreds rather than thousands.
What I DO have a problem with is counterfeit cosmetics and facial creams. Look, I know you may not have so much cash in your pockets to buy eyeshadows or blushes or lipstick from the brand retailer itself. But for goodness sake, practise more caution when buying fake cosmetics.
I see people enthusiastically buying these fake cosmetics on Facebook and in stores, and I wonder whether they ever enquire into its ingredients and its source. The thing about fake cosmetics and facial creams is that you don't know what is in them. You can't depend on what it says on the box as even the box is fake.
These are stuff that you put directly on your face. Chances are that there are dangerous toxic substances contained in the cosmetics that can be absorbed into your skin. This could lead to allergies and in some cases, death.
But if you do insist on buying fake branded cosmetics, please ask the seller what are the REAL ingredients and where did the products come from. However, your best bet is to just buy the original from the brand retailers. As some sellers just want to make a quick buck and are more than willing to deceive customers.
Fake handbags galore!
Now, handbags are a different matter. I really don't mind buying knockoffs because there's no way I'll be able to buy the real thing, unless I find a magical unicorn that spits out hundred-thousand dollar notes.
However, I don't want to buy a replica handbag that is of lousy quality and falls apart after a few uses. So, make sure to check out the quality of handbags before purchasing. I don't know about you, but I'd rather spend B$200 for a good Coach knockoff than B$20 for a horrible and cheap-looking one.
So, in summary :-
Fake branded cosmetics = BAD
Fake lousy designer handbags = ALSO BAD
Fake good designer handbags = GOOD :)
Comments: 10
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#1
yes! so true just 2 weeks bak i browsed thrusom1 selling fake MAC cosmetics on FB- i read thru the comments n she nvr bothered replying how she got the stocks.. with the price- i know its fake. If u r low on money- i thk its better to purchase midrange cosmetics (that r authenthic) than branded cosmetics (that r fake). There might be harmful, mercury, cancer causing n chemicals that r skin irritants - people should take this more seriously- thank u orchidrow for highlighting this- do post this shout-out on Fbook- with ur influence- can really spread the word n let others take notice.
Oh n ditto on bags- AA goods are ok else i wait till sale to buy the real ones. As CDs n DVDs go, its hard not to buy pirated ones.. but i buy the real ones just to support the artist sometimes or if its a series collection lyk Friends ;) -
#2
i disagree on the bag part. no fakes are at any point good or ok to purchase. it's simply degrading the brands itself. i myself can't afford any designer bags but i cannot bring myself to purchase those grade A's or triple A's quality. thats just carnage. stop killing those brands.
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#3
Hi sharreb,
Glad that someone agrees with me. It's true what you said about the harmful substances. Mercury, lead and God knows what else - these can cause cancer and even if not, who knows what it can do to your skin.
I wrote this article because I know quite a good deal of people actually buying these stuff and it's very worrisome to see.
And yes, I definitely would publish this on Facebook and Twitter. You can also share this article and ur comments by clicking the 'Share' button on top of this article to post it in your own Facebook.
Hi toadily,
good to hear your opinion on the matter. i actually want to hear both sides about fake designer products. although i agree, to an extent, with you on it's not completely ok to purchase fake goods, i would hardly call it carnage or killing. honestly, i bet these brands will survive long after you and I are gone.
but still, i admire ur stand against it. -
#4
yes! i haaaaaaaate it when people sell fake makeups :O and its a pity when people do buy them. i read once on some site that theres a woman who wears fake makeup and she got wrinkles after that! but she's still so young! i really dont get why people would want to buy them. i know its cheap, but seriously?! dont they ever experience breakout? -____-
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#5
I watched a show called Price of Beauty once. Jessica Simpson was travelling to Thailand, and she interviewed someone whose face was scarred for life.
The lady bought a brightening facial product from street vendors, and it was "highly recommended' by a friend. The product did manage to brighten her complexion, but here comes the sad part. Her skin started thinning/peeling due to removal of darker skin. And the sun made it worse by burning her already-sensitive thin-layered face. The scars remained on her face, and her husband left her because she was 'ugly'. She also lost her job(she was a lounge singer), and she hides indoors for fear of being mocked. -
#6
Cassie: Yes these cases definitely happens if one buys fake cosmetics. if they're lucky, their skin don't react. But i definitely won't want to risk my face! The original ones may be expensive, but at least they have been tested. We just need to do our part by letting our friends and family know yea?
Amy: Yeah, I saw that show too, and I really sympathize with the lady. Just becoz of what seems to be a harmless purchase and just wanting to look fairer, her life was ruined. It was so sad, and I can't even begin to imagine how it must have felt like.
So I really hope people will be more cautious in buying these fake cosmetics. There's no such thing as A grade cosmetics. -
#7
This post has convinced me not to sell replica make up products. I once tried selling high grade MAC eye pigments, but I noticed that I had no confidence in selling my own product due to uncertainty of how fake it really was. All sorts of thoughts on animal testing came to my conscience and I decided to drop the items altogether. Make up is not a matter to be played with!
I shall stick to clothes and original beauty products for now.
Cheers! :) -
#8
Hiya Manisha! Good to see you here. :)
Glad that the post has helped you to decide that fake makeup is WRONG! i hope other sellers would also follow your example and think of the potential side effects to their customers' skin. Coz some of them, I believe are just out to make money, and not care about their customers.
They claim to use the products themselves, but side effects are not immediate and you can't see what's going on INSIDE of your body. I just hope this post will reach a lot of people and make them be aware of the potential danger.
Hope to see more of u, Manisha! :D -
#9
Where is the place to buy cosmetics in Brunei? I'm just wondering because I don't see any stores here that sell JUST make-up. I'm running low on it and I really need to get some more. PLease & Thank you. :)
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#10
Hi Rina,
True, I don't really see stores that sell JUST make-up as well. So, we have to make do with those stores that also provide makeup amongst other things.
If you're into very good and known brands, you should drop by Shop@Sarah's in Seri Kiulap Mall. They have Urban Decay, Pop Beauty, Sephora, Benefits and Too Faced brands available. However, these are makeup kits, and not single items. But that's just more value for your money right?
And if you're looking for something of lower grade, you can try Paloma at The Mall, 3rd floor. They have quite a big range of ELF cosmetics.
Other stores that I recommend would be the Korean beauty stores like Faceshop and Etude House. They have quite a selection of cosmetics as well. :)
Hope that helps. It really depends on what kind of makeup you're into. If you got more questions about shopping for makeup, just email me at info@orchidrow.com. I don't mind having a little email chat about makeup. Hehehe 
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