Authentic MAC eyeshadows, via Archangeli
The existence of fake MAC products being sold through online auction websites was initially bought to my attention though Pretty Pretty Pretty. It struck a chord with me as I have considered purchasing discounted MAC eyeshadows off of Trade Me (NZ online auction website) in the past. However, this problem is not restricted to New Zealand and I wanted to raise awareness of how to spot a fake MAC product to prevent more buyers being duped.
Not everyone things this is a problem, and report that the fakes are not always of band quality. The risk is that you have no idea about what is in this cosmetic, how it was made, and where it’s from. Ingredients found in fake cosmetics have ranged from coal tar to phthalate, and those are dangerous additives. You do not know what black market activities profit from producing fakes is being funneled into, and of course it is illegal.
For your benefit, I am going to explain how to spot fake MAC eyeshadow and pigment products.
How to Spot Fake MAC Eyeshadow
1. Look at the sticker on the base of the eyeshadow. The sticker should be labeled with the name of the eyeshadow, MAC always names their eyeshadows. Fake eyeshadows will often only label the stickers with number/letter codes.
2. MAC eyeshadows should not have a screw top. I have heard of older eyeshadows have screw tops, but none of the recent products. MAC eyeshadows should have a flip top, and the hinging should look like this.
3. The glass window should not have a thick rim around the outside, it should be evenly clear across the entire panel.
4. The logo should be printed in a clear font, and the lines detailing the word ‘MAC’ should be relatively thin. Fake MAC products often print logos with thicker lines.
5. Authentic MAC eyeshadow do not come with a sponge applicator and mirror. The compartment should not lift up to expose either of these features and if your product does this then it is definitely fake.
How to Spot Fake MAC Pigment
1. Authentic MAC pigment packaging looks like this:
Edit: MAC has updated their pigment containers, newer pigments look like this (thanks Mermaid for the tip.)
2. Watch out for pigment colors listed as “rare,” as these are often fakes.
3. On the bottom of the box there should be a bar code label printed on a sticker. If the bar code is printed directly onto the bottom of the box then the product is a fake.
4. There should be a black round sticker on the top right hand corner of the box with the name of the color on it. Fake pigments often place the sticker closer to the front.
5. The pigment jar should have a small circle sticker on the bottom, and that sticker should have the colors name printed on it. Above the name of the pigment there should be a name and number code, fake MAC pigments are known to only have the numbers and not the color name.
6. The pigment itself should be sealed by a protective lid. There should not be a hole in the middle to pour the pigment from.
7. Fake MAC pigment is not the same high quality of authentic MAC pigment. While the authentic product will leave a rich and vibrant color on your skin with just a little, the fakes are often dull and rubs off easily. MAC pigment should not rub off easily.
When buying cosmetics online, buyer beware! Look out for luxury goods at cheap prices. Be smart and Google how to spot a fake of the particular product you are purchasing before you make a decision.
33 comments
Excellent post. It’s so easy to get tricked nowadays, especially on eBay sometimes! Also love the new layout!
LOL @ “pigment.” Like MAC reaaaaaally needs to clarify that ha. So fake.
@ Luana: Thank you! I like it too.
MAC did just change the pigment packaging. They look like this now: http://i49.tinypic.com/2u3w39d.jpg
@ Mermaid: Thanks! I will include a link to that image in the post.
Thank you for this post! I’m not sure if its naivete or what, but it never crossed my mind that someone would create counterfeit make-up products. MAC is such a popular brand though, I’m not surprised. I loved this post, shared it on my reader, and it’ll just affirm to me that I need to be cautious where I buy my make-up…
Very informative post, darling!xoxox,CC
i have never bought MAC anywhere but MAC. the local flea markets sell “MAC” and i knew the second i saw them that they weren’t MAC. i won’t lie though…i was tempted to buy but i didn’t. lol.
@ Ashe Mischief: I must admit, I had never thought of it myself before either. That is exactly why I wanted to write about it, to help others make more informed choiced. 🙂
@ bananas.: Some fakes are terrible!
Very useful article! There is SO MUCH fake stuff on eBay. I have bought MAC pigment online before, and thankfully, it passes the test! They’re not exactly cheap, so I’d hate to be ripped off with an inferior product. And it’s so true, you never know what kinda gross stuff could be in the fakes!
.-= Asylum Dolly´s last blog ..If you’re on ‘Blogger’ and I haven’t commented on your blog… =-.
This is such a fantastic post!! Do you mind if I included in Lola’s Picnic for this week? I think my readers would adore it 🙂
@ Lola: I would love that!
i’ve always wondered how to spot fake MAC products as i’ve heard of many fakes out there. it’s funny how cosmetic products can be turned into ‘fake’ products as well innit? tsk tsk! buy quality stuff people!thanks for such an informative post. it’ll be really useful if i ever consider buying any MAC products online (:ps. your blog is becoming better and better girl!
This is an amazing post, Joanne! I had no clue that people were selling fake MAC products – what a strange trend!! 🙂
.-= Cafe Fashionista´s last blog ..Style Secrets: Symbol of Style =-.
This is extremely helpful info! I feel like lots of people get ripped off for this exact reason! thanks for the post!
Wow, this is helpful! I still have Mac eyeshadows but haven’t been using them or wearing any eyeshadow for awhile now! I never even knew that there is fake makeup out there! I always buy from Sephora and stay away from those random sites! Hope you’re having a fabulous week!! xo, mel
I was often wondering about the extent of fake cosmetics, and you are absolutely right – who knows what nasty ingredients they contain?
Oh wow I had no idea fake MAC make-up was sold.. Ha… I actually didn’t even think of buying make-up online. Well, now when I do, I’ll know what to look for 🙂 X
i didnt even realised they existed… hahathanks for the tip!
I had no idea MAC was so widely faked! I consider them to have a pretty decent price point (compared to other studio or department store brands), so I never looked into the ebay option, but I would definitely agree that fakes probably use ingredients that may irritate the skin or be out of date. I think the best option is to either get the real deal or if money is tight, buy a drug store brand instead. At least they have quality controls!
just bought 2 MAC pigments from a girls sister at work… 2 for $20…should have realized they were fakes for the price and by the colors…does MAC even make a Pink Venus & Yellow Gold pigment???. Boxes have a printed on bar code AND protective plastic has a hole in it. she also has an 8 piece mac pro brush set…we werent sure if they were real b/c they said Japan on the bottom of the brush and the case didnt seem too sturdy, i’m going to assume they are fakes too! thanks for your article!
NATALIE – Oh dear! They don’t sound like the genuine product at all. ):
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Hi. There are so many fake macs and they’ve gotten really good at making them look exactly the same.
I wanted to ask if you or anyone who sees this has bought authentic mac from the actual store, is the M.A.C on the front printed on or moulded into the plastic?
I’ve noticed all the ones i know are definately authentic have a flat print on the plastic (rub finger over and u can’t feel it) whereas the ones that are ‘authentic’ purchased online are embossed into the plastic and i can feel it when i rub my finger over.
Anyone bought from a store have embossed MAC words?
Would really like this answered xD thanks.
Teresa – Whenever I have bought MAC blush, it has ‘MAC’ printed on the cover (flat) in a clear font, rather than embossed. I don’t believe that embossing is a feature of the MAC packaging!
I think I just bought a fake mac palette on Ebay. I wanted the Tempting Palette from the COC collection. The pallete that I recieved says Tempting on the back of the container, but the shadows inside look like a Shadowy lady quad, but the colors are off, more pinky/brighter then what was on the website. The box that it came in says Eye Shdow X 4 on it. I don’t know if that is a legitimate mispelling, or not. I can’t remove them either. The seller doesn’t accept returns, and has not responded to my email. Rats! Wish I had seen this first, and not wasted $25 bucks! I don’t dare put them on my eyes if they are not real. God knows what they contain!
Meg: Do you have photos of this we can look at?
I’ve purchased a fake quad long long time ago when i was still a MAC noob. I got it for $25 on eBay which is only a few bucks lower than the average quad price there.
I have a authentic quad so i’ve seen the comparisions.
The back should have a big rectangular sticker on the bottom left hand corner, it will state quad name and all those little mac details usually on the stickers. The quads from collections will definately have this sticker saying the palette name.
Fake = The MAC printed word… the M will seem more broken apart than it should be. Also the base of the quad will have 4 little corner lumps raising the quad when it sits on the table (ones on luggage bags).
My fake quad came in a very realistic box which also stated eye shadow x4. Does it have the little round sticker at the top? Authentic ones should have it.
I’m not sure if the fake quads have improved on their packaging, i haven’t seen that much of them going around. If its got 4 raised lumps on the base, its a definate fake.
I would contact the seller stating the quad is a fake counterfeit item which isn’t as decribed in the listing. If they refuse to accept the return, if paid by paypal you can dispute and get your money back. They might just refund to avoid hassle or they will follow paypal rules, and accept the return. Remember to use registered post when sending it back. But also consider the cost you lose in posting back might not be worth it.
The eyeshadows in my quad were crayon like, pigmented but over shiny and didnt spread nicely, it was flaky. I was able to remove my pans, it was glued down with a gel paste. Try remove yours (i used a needle) and see if the base has different metal pans from mac. It will be an obvious difference. If its not worth sending back, keep the quad and refil with better shadows like i did. Try out the eyeshadows if they’re crap quality. i took the powder out and pressed different pigments into them 🙂 Recycling is fun.
Hope that helps. Yours could be real but it sounds very dodgy how things don’t match up. Goodluck in getting your money back 🙂
Hi ….I recently just brought an eye/ lip liner pencil off ebay claiming to be mac. I tried it out and it is awful. How can I tell this is a fake product and how can I prove it to get a refund?
mac doesn’t have eye/lip liner pencil in one. a popular fake is mac eyeliners with aloe vera. look at the maccosmetics.com website. If its not there google around and see if it’s a limited edition product. Not all mac products are great so it might just be a less than great product.
the pencil and lid should be black mostly, not silver unless its a collection item.
I like this blog ,because it is very good ,very important for me .
thanks !! very helpful post! amazing stuff thanx.
Hey i was just wondering if on all MAC eyeshadows the name is printed on a circular sticker on top of the box and the barcode is a sticker on the bottom? Or is that just pigments? I just bought woodwinked from Brown Thomas and on the box the name is printed instead of on a sticker as is the barcode. The actually container of the eyeshadow is exactly like a real MAC eyeshadow so im a little confused now.
Great post! I am so wary of buying off trademe, I just think its better to get anything in store just in case! Great to find you on blogger, I am a fellow NZer!
Becca x
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