Shopping Online For Cheap Cosmetics

The cost of cosmetics (and, well, everything) these days can be a little exorbitant. Since I have a massive addiction to all things beauty (and fashion), my compulsion costs me quite a bit. So does my shoe fetish, but we’ll save that for another post. So below are some sites I've purchased from and have been exceptionally happy with the entire experience, from costs to product range and quality to shipping.

My favourite go-to site is StrawberryNET. You can find just about anything there! I’ve purchased a number of items and have always received then within a few days. Their bonus - Free registered shipping worldwide for everything except fragrances. Should any of you be wary about shopping online, StrawberryNET are very well known and reputable, have been around for ages, accept Paypal amongst their payment methods – Use Paypal wherever you can, they have a massive customer base worldwide, are safe and have landed within the top 100 on Bizrate. They also have both and Android and iPhone app, should you wish to browse and shop from wherever you are. They also have a loyalty program which gives you discounts from your first placed order. It’s not a huge discount, but hey, you don’t have to do anything for it.

As a shopper on DealsDirect, I've purchased plenty of household items and gifts and have always been really happy with their service, prices and the fact that they combine shipping. The quality of their products is impeccable, the postage fast, and the prices very budget friendly. 

Deals Directs’ Supermarket Deals site is fantastic for grocery type items. I purchased some ‘Max Factor Photo Ready’ items (foundation, cream-to-powder compact and concealer) and am hooked! Supermarket Deals is bookmarked now and one of my go-to sites when looking to feed my health and beauty addiction. To further add to Supermarket Deals, I have purchased a number of bulk food items from them and everything has been perfect.

Crazy Sales is building on their Health and Beauty section. Whilst they don’t currently stock much in the way of cosmetics, they do have a pretty awesome perfume and cologne selection.

Other favourites are eBay and Quicksales. With a Galaxy SIII and a fair bit of down time at work, I tend to skulk around on these sites. My bank account hates me.

Shopping online is great if you already know what shades suit you or you’re willing to risk selecting items you think will suit you. But if you’re more of an in-store shopper, MyChemist always have fantastic priced cosmetics in their bins at the front of their stores. If you happen to buy stuff online that doesn’t suit you, or you don’t like it, re-sell it on eBay. Just be sure to point out that you tried it. Same goes with clothes. I’ve made quite a bit of money selling shoes and clothes online. Yes, I have a clothing fetish too, which I’ll also delve into in another post. I’ve found some killer sites for clothes and shoes!

Two sites I am yet to purchase from are Purchase Direct and Cosmetics Now. Their prices seem quite good, but as I said, I haven’t purchased from them, so I can’t give feedback on them.

Whilst I am an avid fan of Catch of the Day, I’ve purchased plenty of items from them over the years and will continue to do so. One thing I will not buy again is their cosmetics and skincare. I purchased some ROC eye treatment tubes and they had well past their expiry. After scouting around online about this, plenty of forum users voiced the same concern about any skincare products they’ve purchased from Catch of the Day. Sometimes their skincare pages specify if the product is out of date, however I checked the ROC page I had purchased from, and there was no such warning. If you do decide to press on and purchase their skincare and cosmetics, it might be wise to bear this in mind, especially when it comes to specialty creams, serums and lotions.