10 Tips for Buying Beauty Goods Online

The number of online shoppers is on the rise, with more and more people choosing to buy online instead of waiting in long lines at department and convenience stores.

Since almost all companies accept credit cards online, it’s much simpler to browse for products, such as beauty goods, in the comfort of your own home, versus fighting traffic, crowds, and salespeople.

Your home is much more appealing than crowds.

In addition to long lines, there are plenty of other advantages to buying beauty goods online. Companies typically offer online discounts and coupons, free shipping, and a wider range of products you may not otherwise find in a store.

If you do choose to purchase your beauty goods online, use these tips to ensure you’re getting the most for your money.

Read product reviews. 

Buying beauty goods online allows you to access reviews from all across the nation, not just from one salesperson. Take advantage of this and read through five or ten of them, helping guarantee you will like the product before you buy it.

Understand terms and conditions. 

Make sure you read and understand the merchant’s terms and conditions, including how items are shipped, how long shipping takes, return and exchange policy, and method of payment.

Look for discounts. 

Most retailers will provide some sort of coupon or discount for shopping online. Search for promo codes for the company you would like to buy from to see if any of the discounts will apply to you.

Talk to customer service. 

Just because you’re at home on your computer doesn’t mean there aren’t people available to assist you. Call customer service and talk to a consultant to help with your beauty needs. In addition to product reviews, speaking with a live consultant will help guarantee you are making the right decision.

Research the product. 

Shopping online is easy – almost too easy. You don’t have to invest time if you don’t want to, since purchases are just a click away. Even still, it’s important to do your research when it comes to beauty products. Make sure you’re buying a product that will benefit your specific skin type.

Research the vendor. 

Buying online is not always safe, and there are a lot of scams out there. Research the company you wish to buy from before making a purchase. Again, read customer reviews and the company’s terms and conditions to ensure the company and product is legit.

Buy with friends. 

Consider getting a group of your girlfriends together to make one large purchase. There are a lot of “two for one” deals out there, and you’ll save on shipping if you buy together.

Join mailing lists. 

Joining mailing lists through your favorite online vendors is a great way to stay in the loop and know when upcoming sales will take place on your favorite beauty essentials. It’s free to sign up and can score you some great deals, especially around the holidays.

Buying in bulk will save you money. 

Avoid going to the brand’s website. Just like booking a hotel through the hotel website is more expensive, so is buying beauty products. Make sure to go to sites that sell an array of brands and products instead of going straight to your favorite brand’s site.

Consider online auction sites. 

Finally, if saving money is your biggest concern, check out auction sites like eBay where prices will be significantly lower. Make sure to ask questions about the product before you buy it – is it new? When does it expire? How large is it?

Using these tips will ensure you’re getting the most for your time and money when it comes to buying beauty goods online.

Sarah Brooks is a freelance writer who covers a wide variety of topics from personal finance to beauty and health.