I buy second hand make-up on eBay and it’s saved me hundreds – here are my top tips on getting the best stuff
MANY of us have wasted cash on buying make-up that ends up being the wrong shade or just not right for our skin.
But did you know more and more women are now selling off their unwanted cosmetics on sites such as eBay and Vinted?
Leading make-up artist , 44, reckons she has saved nearly £200 by buying secondhand designer powders and eyeshadow palettes on eBay.
Natalie, who has worked at fashion shows in London, Paris and Milan, believes products are often barely used and, if you clean them properly, are good to go.
says: “People have preconceived ideas about buying secondhand, especially beauty products.
“But if you know where to look and how to properly sanitise the products, it’s a fantastic alternative which saves you money and is much better for the environment.
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“It makes me feel good to use make-up that someone isn’t using. It’s the same as buying preloved fashion. Giving a product a new lease of life helps reduce waste.”
Natalie’s first secondhand purchase was a Dior Kabuki brush for £10 in 2019.
She describes it as “perfect” for use with bronzers and highlighters but discovered that if buying new, it was available only as part of a make-up set costing £40, and not on its own.
She turned to eBay and says: “I found it for £10, saving myself £30 — and it was then that I noticed other people selling bits of make-up and realised what a great idea it was.
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“As a professional make-up artist, I’m always sanitising products anyway so I wasn’t put off by that.
“During lockdown I started buying more secondhand make-up. I had more time to look and I think people were selling more too, as they suddenly had time to upload photos and sell what they were no longer using.”
Natalie, from Clapham, South West London, has also found discontinued or limited-edition products now available secondhand.
In September, she bought two By Terry items on eBay.
The highlighter and blush palette were in their original packaging but had been discontinued and are now collectors’ items.
She paid £40 for both, including postage, but the items would have cost more than £100 new.
She says: “They’d only been swatched once and I saved myself £60. I’ve also seen eyeshadow palettes from Pat McGrath for £50.
"But you’d pay £115 new, which is a lot if you aren’t sure you are going to like the colours. It’s a great way of testing something out if you don’t want to spend a lot of money. There are so many bargains on eBay, it’s ridiculous.
Cost of living
“I might recommend some-thing such as a Chanel bronzer to a client but it’s £45 new. Usually, they are delighted if I can find it on eBay for them and show them how to clean it.
“I’ve saved myself so much money since I started looking out for secondhand bargains.
“I really enjoy hunting round for rare items and feel so good when I get a bargain. Plus, I’m doing something to help the environment.
“The cost of living is hitting people hard and make-up is expensive. It’s important to save where you can.
“Many people may find they are able to buy designer products or luxury items they wouldn’t have been able to afford brand-new.”
So far, Natalie has bought ten secondhand products worth £330, but only paid £148.
She says: “People get put off by the idea of putting something on your face that isn’t new, but as long as you sanitise the product beforehand there’s no reason to worry.
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“Buying secondhand is a gamble and people have reservations.
“But if you do your research and know what to look for, you can make huge savings on amazing products.”
My top tips
- LOOK AT SELLER REVIEWS: Have they consistently been given five stars? Does the feedback say the product received by the buyer was the same as what was advertised?
- HAS THE SELLER SOLD MAKE-UP BEFORE? This will reduce the risk of your transaction.
- ARE PHOTOS CLEAR? Make sure the seller provides close-up/zoomed-in photos of the product so you can check its texture, particularly if it has been swatched or partially used.
- IF YOU FIND A GOOD SELLER, KEEP THEM AS A CONTACT: It can be great to go back to someone you can trust.
- SANITISE: First spray the outer packaging with hand-sanitising spray. When sanitising the make-up, I recommend using Beauty So Clean Cosmetic Sanitizer Mist (£15 from ) – an industry- standard make-up sanitising spray that kills 99.9 per cent of bacteria but will not damage the product or alter the formula.
- STILL GOT CLEANLINESS CONCERNS? Try scraping the top layer off a powder or cream, using a clean knife.
- IF IN DOUBT, MESSAGE THE SELLER: Don’t be afraid to ask how make-up has been stored or how old it is.
