How to Spot Fake MAC Products

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Excellent post. It’s so easy to get tricked nowadays, especially on eBay sometimes! Also love the new layout!

@ Luana: Thank you! I like it too.

@ Mermaid: Thanks! I will include a link to that image in the post. 

Very informative post, darling!xoxox,CC

@ 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!

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

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

@ Lola: I would love that!

I was often wondering about the extent of fake cosmetics, and you are absolutely right - who knows what nasty ingredients they contain?

i didnt even realised they existed… hahathanks for the tip!

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!

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.

NATALIE - Oh dear! They don’t sound like the genuine product at all. ):

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

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.