Top 10 Mistakes Women Should Avoid When Shopping for Cosmetics

While a quick sniff can help you identify the fragrance category, such as floral, seductive, or fresh, it won't give you a full representation of how the perfume will smell on your skin throughout the day. Since perfumes have three main scent stages—top, middle, and base—you should spray it, let it sit for a few minutes to diffuse, then smell it again to get the full scent profile.

Cosmetic products often appear differently under various lighting conditions. Therefore, when selecting makeup, you should look for areas with natural light or white lighting to see the true color of the products. Some stores use warm yellow lights to create a cozy and luxurious atmosphere, but this can significantly alter the actual color of the product. This may lead to situations where you like the shade while testing, only to realize later that it looks completely different at home. Electric lighting doesn't reflect the true color of foundation or powder. Only natural light can give you the most accurate reflection.

It's best to stand in front of a mirror with natural light when testing powders. An important step in choosing foundation is knowing your exact skin tone and type, so you can choose the right shade and formula. Keep in mind the importance of lighting when shopping for cosmetics. Cosmetics can either enhance your beauty or detract from it. Be mindful of these lighting issues when shopping to avoid making the wrong choice, ladies! In fact, testing makeup under artificial lighting is a common mistake many women make while shopping. Store lighting can make your skin look radiant and flawless, so make sure you're aware of how your true skin tone looks under natural sunlight before testing any product, whether it's foundation, lipstick, or powder. If you're unsure of your skin tone in natural light, you may end up picking the wrong shade.

When testing cosmetics, many people tend to apply them to the back of their hand. However, everyone has different skin tones, so testing on the back of your hand might not give you the best idea of how a product will look on your face. Testing products on the back of your hand only helps determine if the product causes any allergic reaction.

Testing cosmetics on your neck gives a more accurate result, as the skin on your neck is closer in texture and tone to the skin on your face. While it’s common to try foundation, powder, eyeshadow, or lipstick on the back of your hand to get a sense of the color and texture, this method doesn’t reflect how the product will interact with your face. The tone of your hand’s skin is different from your facial skin, so testing makeup on your face, especially on the inner wrist or the neck area, will provide a more accurate idea of how it will look.

Online shopping is convenient and saves time, but it’s not the best way to find the perfect cosmetics for your needs. When shopping online, you can't test the product’s color to see if it matches your skin tone, and you miss out on personalized advice from store staff to help you choose the right product. Our recommendation: While online shopping works for many things, for cosmetics, it’s better to visit the store in person to carefully choose and test the products.

However, if the product you want is not available in Vietnam and must be purchased from abroad, make sure to research thoroughly before making your purchase. Due to its convenience, online shopping has become very popular in recent years, but you run a high risk of buying counterfeit or low-quality products. Advertisements are not always accurate, and cheap prices don’t always reflect quality. It’s always safer to shop in-store at a reputable store, and if you do shop online, make sure the website is trustworthy and reliable.

For years, women have passed down the tip of using gold to test for lead in cosmetics by rubbing a gold ring or necklace on foundation, powder, or lipstick. If the area turns black, it supposedly indicates the presence of harmful lead, and the product should be avoided. However, this method is purely based on hearsay and lacks any scientific foundation. This tip is entirely ineffective, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recognize it as a valid testing method. According to Snopes.com, a site dedicated to debunking myths, the use of gold to test for lead has no scientific basis.

Researchers have conducted experiments using other metals, such as silver, tin, and copper, and found the same result: the lipstick turned black. Lipsticks contain ingredients like titanium dioxide, wax, oils, colorants, and sunscreen agents, which can react with metals, causing the black streaks, but this doesn’t prove the presence of lead. The same principle applies to other cosmetics like foundation and powder. To determine if a cosmetic contains lead, scientific testing is required—simple at-home methods are not accurate. Most cosmetics on the market today contain trace amounts of lead that are within safe limits, which help enhance product durability and longevity. Therefore, using gold to test for lead in cosmetics and deciding if a product is safe based on this method is completely irrational.

Many people blindly follow beauty trends, purchasing products simply because their friends use them, without considering whether they’re actually suitable for their own needs. For example, when selecting lipstick, don’t just pick the color based on what’s trending. Instead, check your natural lip color and choose a shade that complements it. Finding the right lipstick shade will make your lips look fresher, more youthful, and alluring.

When trying on lipstick samples, don’t rush to apply it directly on your lips. Since these samples are tested by many people, they carry a high risk of contamination. For safety, apply the lipstick to the back of your hand instead of directly to your lips. Women often shop according to trends, prioritizing hot new products without considering if they’re right for them. This is especially true when it comes to trendy lipsticks with unique packaging. Stop buying products just because they’re in style if you don’t want to waste your money on products you can’t use or that don’t suit you, making you look out of place or awkward, not to mention the risk of skin irritation or allergic reactions from unsuitable ingredients or counterfeit products.

It’s a common mistake that many of us make—we focus on the color, texture, or quality of the product without thinking about hygiene. A good example is when trying lipstick samples. There are usually several shades to choose from, but these samples have been used by many others, so their cleanliness and safety are not guaranteed. Even if you’re testing the product on your hand rather than directly on your lips, the risk of contamination is still high. Before testing a lipstick, ask the sales staff to clean the tip, or better yet, use your own brush for makeup products like powder. Many cosmetic products in stores are test items that have been handled by many people, leading to a high risk of bacterial contamination. Most people don't pay attention to the hygiene of test products, which can cause allergic reactions or other skin issues.

Therefore, always check a product by applying it to your hand first before putting it on your face. To avoid allergic reactions, it’s best to test a product on your inner forearm first and wait for 6-8 hours. If no reaction occurs, you can try it on your face. However, even if there’s no reaction on your arm, you may still experience an allergy when applying it to your face. For extra caution, test the product on your forehead in the evening. If any irritation occurs, your hair will cover it. Start by leaving it on for 1-2 hours, then wash it off. If there’s no reaction, you can apply it for 3-4 hours the next day. If all goes well, you can confidently apply it to your entire face, keeping it away from the eyes. Always ensure that any product you apply to your face or lips is clean and safe to use.

It’s a mistake to use summer bronzer during the winter months. This can make you look out of place, and your skin may appear dull, which can age you. During the gloomy winter, opt for brighter shades. When using bronzer, choose one slightly darker than your natural skin tone and pair it with a rosy or peach blush. Even with sunscreen, pick a shade lighter or darker than your foundation based on the season. Using the wrong makeup shades can create a stark contrast between your face, neck, and chest.

Additionally, remember that your skin changes with the seasons. In winter, your skin tends to be drier, while in summer it may be oilier. This affects your choice of cosmetics, such as those with moisturizing ingredients or varying oil content. For instance, contour powder that works well in summer may be too dark for winter when your skin tone is paler. Using the wrong makeup color can make your face look mismatched with your neck and chest. Just like clothing, your makeup should adapt to the season.

Many women often purchase lipstick impulsively, drawn to the attractive colors without considering the quality or suitability of the product. The lipstick may look great in the tube but fail to deliver the same result on your lips, or it may feel dry and cakey, leaving you with a wasted purchase. Before you commit to a lipstick, test it to check for issues like streaking, clumping, or fading too quickly. Also, pay attention to the smell of the lipstick – if it has a bad odor, it might be a fake. Counterfeit products can be harmful, so always buy from reputable suppliers to ensure you get a high-quality, safe product.

Handmade lipsticks, while often advertised as 'lead-free,' may still contain harmful chemicals. It’s important to inspect the product closely before buying. Look for stores with guarantees of quality and authenticity. Nobody wants to look great on the outside while damaging their health. For those with sensitive skin, using fake or low-quality lipsticks can lead to swelling, irritation, or even sores. Low-quality lipsticks pose a significant health risk due to unknown ingredients and safety standards. Always be cautious when choosing lipstick, ensuring that it is safe for both your beauty and your health.

Cosmetics are industrial products made with various chemical ingredients, and not all ingredients are suitable for every skin type, especially when it comes to sensitive skin. For those with sensitive skin, neglecting the ingredient list can worsen skin conditions. Therefore, checking the ingredients in cosmetics becomes crucial. Products like moisturizers and serums, which penetrate the skin quickly, should be of particular concern. Unfortunately, many beauty enthusiasts overlook this step when shopping for products. The lengthy and technical ingredient lists can be overwhelming, leading people to ignore them. Most shoppers only notice how their skin reacts to a product, forgetting that the issue may stem from the ingredients themselves. Common irritating ingredients include mineral oil, alcohol, and even unwanted additives like silicone or butylene, which are often found in products targeting acne, whitening, or skin brightening.

Cosmetic labels usually display a complete list of ingredients used in the product. The labeling must follow international naming conventions, with chemical ingredients listed in English and plant-based ingredients in Latin, including both genus and species. When purchasing natural beauty products, look for information about the ingredients to verify that the product contains what the manufacturer claims. Paying attention to the ingredient list will help you choose products that are better suited to your skin, reducing the risk of allergic reactions and wasted products.