Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Kylie warns of fake website and stores selling dodgy imitation products
KYLIE Jenner has been vocal about the dangers of purchasing imitation Kylie Cosmetics products in stores and online.
The reality TV star and owner of the beauty company Kylie Cosmetics has warned that many fake Kylie Cosmetics contain harmful substances such as glue.
Jenner, half-sister to the Kardashian sisters, alerted followers on Facebook last month of the website Kyliecosmetics.org attempting to sell the counterfeit products.
“Hey guys when you search my makeup on Google, a FAKE website put an ad up to trick you guys. Just remember my site is Kyliecosmetics.com,” she posted. Jenner, 20, has been addressing the issue of the purchasing of fake cosmetics since the launch of her products in October.
Last year she posted a five-second video on Twitter comparing a fake lip kit to the real product and warning consumers to be wary.
She tweeted: “Wow guys this is not safe!!!”
In Jenner’s Life of Kylie reality TV show, she sent her friend Jordyn Woods to visit places selling imitation products in the US.
However, it is easy to access these fake products in Cape Town too.
Jenner’s fake beauty products can be found in an Athlone shopping mall, as well in some accessory shops along St George’s Mall in town and in shops in Observatory’s Main Road. There are also many fake products online being sold for significantly less that the real thing.
On Jenner’s website, the lip kits range from $15 to $29 (about R194 to R375) while the fake products go for R30 to R40, depending on the colour.
A retailer admitted off the record that the lipsticks sold at their store were not genuine.
Durban dermatologist Raj Singh warned of the dangers of using fake products.
“There are many fake cosmetics, as well as cosmetics of inferior quality on the market. They arise from countries such as the DRC, India and Pakistan.
“According to my experience, they contain lead and mercury which gives a temporary effect, but long-term side effects.
“They do cause a contact dermatitis, especially in those with sensitive skins. However, as with many things, the buyer must be beware.
“It is better to buy from a reputable place, especially one with policies in place. If a price is too good to be true, then it probably is. Always buy from places where you can test the ingredients.
“Lead and mercury poisoning are very difficult to treat and are toxic to the body.
“Only branded products have proper research facilities, and I have seen many of my patients using products of inferior quality, but they do not tell me which specific brands they purchased.
“They just mention they bought it from the flea market or someone from Pakistan or India. Some of them are not even labelled and some have fancy containers with very bad quality ingredients.
“The principle that the buyer should always be aware should apply, and buying from a reputable company is always advised.”
Erica Schreiber commented on Jenner’s Facebook: “Thanks for posting this. I’ve been looking at buying Kylie makeup and am scared to by the fake because the looks are so similar. Freaks me out to buy the wrong one. It really sucks that people can get away with this s****.”
Naomi Kubwayezu posted: “I watched Life of Kylie today and realised the fake products you went to look for in town are exactly the same as the ones in my country. Kylie Jenner your products that have been copied are on big sale in my country and are really causing damage. Don’t you think this will cause you danger. If I were you I would try to do something about it dear because it’s not only in your country it’s all over.”
South African beauty blogger Brett Robson uploaded a YouTube video comparing the fake product to the real one, noting that there was very little difference. “There was a subtle difference in the colour of the packaging and the text on the box. This means that buyers can be easily duped into buying fake beauty products for the same price as the original.”
Robson measured both products, which she bought online. The “fake” lip kit cost $4.48 while the real thing cost $29. She noted the serial numbers on the fake products and realised how similar the two products were.
“They’re getting so close to what the original looks like, it’s actually scary.
“My fear is that you have been duped by resellers into purchasing fake stuff, at crazy prices. I just hope that hasn’t happened to you,” she said.
Robson noted that she’d seen how much quicker these “fake products” were becoming available in stores and online.
“If Kylie launches a new product on her site, it’s not long before you see (a fake copy).”