The big broad world of counterfeits

March 6, 2020

A fake designer bag can't hurt you but what about fake makeup, cosmetics and electronics? The counterfeit market is a vast and lucrative business - so much so that most of us aren’t fully aware of its gigantic scope. Exploding electronics, fake airplane parts, feces in makeup and fake Apple stores are just a small part of its ever-growing offer.

Passion for fashion

There is nothing sweeter than finding an amazing dupe for the luxury item you desperately want but can’t really afford. High-end makeup, jewelry, bags, wallets and shoes are alluring but pricey. Fast fashion chains like Zara or H&M have been taking note of this for years. Actually they’ve been doing a lot more than taking notes - they’ve been taking design and product ideas as well. They’re not making counterfeit products, at least not in legal terms. Morally? That’s up for debate. Most of us feel really bad for the young creative designer whose work got stolen. But most of us are also just people. People who find it hard to resist these gorgeous products at such low prices.

Dupes vs Counterfeits

The makeup community is obsessed with dupes. Makeup lovers around the world know their dupes better than they know the back of their hands. There are thousands and thousands of YouTube videos on finding the right drugstore versions of the high-end products. And I’ve watched all of them (10/10, would recommend).

However there is a glaring difference between dupes and counterfeits. A pore-minimizing primer from Maybelline (a dupe for the Benefit Cosmetics one) won’t hurt you unless someone hits you over the head with it. The counterfeit Kylie lip kits? That’s a different story. Counterfeits are illegal which means they don’t go through any testing and they don’t follow any regulations. No one knows what’s really inside these products - dangerous chemicals, feces, the tears of human children making these commodities?

Buyer Beware

Counterfeits are the fastest growing market in the world, expected to grow to 2.8 trillion dollars by 2022. This market stretches far beyond fashion and beauty products - toys, electric goods, food, even airplane parts and pharmaceutical drugs. It has gotten to a point where millions of people are buying counterfeits online completely unknowingly.

Remember, not all counterfeits are equally dangerous. A fake Armani T-shirt might give you a rash but a fake charger might burn your house down. Now think about the airplane parts and pharmaceuticals. Feeling scared yet? Just be careful while shopping online. Double check the products that look suspicious. Use websites like fakespot for some reassurance.

You think you know your stuff?

After all, maybe you’re not fooled so easily. Put your shopping skills to the test and try to recognize if these products are real or fake! [wp_quiz id="7216"]