There are a lot of fake makeup products around and it's getting harder and harder by the day to distinguish between what's real and what's not.

Everyone likes a bargain, but sometimes things really are too good to be true! Being in NZ, we don't get much access to a lot of international brands so we end up relying on 'makeup sales', websites and other importers to get our makeup fix. The problem with this is that not every site/trader is as honest as we'd hope. You might see these 'Sales' advertised on TV/Online every few months but chances are all the 'discounted high end brands' will be knockoffs, so pay close attention.

Not only can you end up paying $1,000,000 for a product that's only worth about $2, but it's probably not the safest option as you don't know exactly what you're putting on your face.

It can be tricky to spot counterfeit items but there are ways to tell the difference between a knockoff and the real deal.

Here are a few things to keep an eye out for:

1. A fake will of course be a lot cheaper (Which is tempting AF). 

2. The packaging and fonts will differ from the original products. For example the real Kylie Jenner Lip Kit has its item’s shade shown on the top and sides of the box, while the name of the shade is written on the top. On the knockoff boxes, the top is actually solid white. Counterfeit items will have uneven fonts, misspelled words and incorrect shade names printed.

3. Do your research and compare your purchases to authentic products online. Fake products are often kept in lower-quality plastic or metal casings, with ill-fitting mirrors.

4. If you're still not sure we would suggest contacting the Makeup company directly, and send them all the details including a picture of the barcode and packaging.