In recent years, online shopping has become one of the most indispensable and mainstream purchasing methods. Its benefits are truly numerous: not only can you conveniently and quickly receive the freshest goods without leaving your home, but you can also buy brands unavailable domestically and enjoy lower discounts. You no longer need to enviously watch beauty experts talk about products exclusive to certain countries or regions that you can only dream of owning. The internet connects all this. Although online shopping still carries some risks, by mastering its nuances, you too can shop around the world. Next, let's take a look at what lessons professional female website fashionistas, Dong'e Ejiao soft capsule users, crown-level diamond super buyers and sellers have to share with us.
Very few whitening products can "peacefully coexist" with my skin, La Prairie being an exception. This alone is enough for me to only purchase from official channels. The city I live in, Qingdao, does not have a La Prairie counter, so I take advantage of business trips and travels to buy from counters elsewhere. Though it may not seem very convenient, I still do it enthusiastically. Like many others, one important reason for choosing counters is the extra courtesy they offer. I often receive invitations for brand product discounts, fashion consultations, and new product launch parties. Although I rarely have time to attend such events, these brands do not "deprive" me of my rights, making me feel respected by them, which is a great feeling. At the same time, I believe choosing counters is also a form of respect for the brand.
Buying from counters is an effective way to directly interact with a brand. You can understand the background and culture of the brand through the style of the counter and conversations with BA. Sufficient communication with BA is very important, as many people overlook this point and only focus on selecting products themselves. They are all trained professionals who will inform you of advanced and accurate skincare knowledge, answer your skin-related questions, and help you choose the most suitable products... including the currently very popular custom skincare products, not all counters accept orders, some only target VIP customer groups, and there is even a waiting list, which is far beyond what an online seller can provide.
Online shopping started during the SARS epidemic when I was "locked" in school every day. I occasionally discovered the vast world of online shopping, which not only offered a wide selection and cheaper prices, but also spared me from enduring cold or hot weather while searching on the streets. It was almost perfectly suited for lazy people like me.
Way I Counter
The idea of starting an online store was initially simple, just to avoid continuous negative fiscal growth each month. Coincidentally, my boyfriend immigrated to Australia for work at that time, and he would occasionally send me Australian local skincare products. Once, after passing by a mall, I unintentionally saw that the price of Jurlique eye cream in domestic counters was over 1000 RMB, while the equivalent price in Australian counters was only around 600 RMB according to the then exchange rate. Thus, the idea of doing overseas purchasing arose, and with the support of friends in Japan, I started Australian & Japanese purchasing agency services.
Interaction with brands makes me feel respected - Pan Yong, La Prairie VIP customer
Previously, I mostly chose to buy products in Hong Kong or Singapore, until one day when my eye cream ran out, and I went looking for the product I wanted inside the mall. The first time I bought it, I felt the price was about 30% higher than in Hong Kong, but the benefit was that I could earn membership points, which could be exchanged for corresponding gifts at the end of the year. I roughly calculated that it was equivalent to enjoying an 80% discount. So, without hesitation, I bought several products, and unexpectedly received a set of gifts worth 1500 RMB. Although the original price of the purchased products was about 800 RMB higher than in Hong Kong, it was actually still quite cost-effective.
Online shopping is my only choice - Yoki, Crown Buyer
Where do you usually buy your skincare products? Do you prefer the dedicated service and trials at counters, the convenience and affordability of online shopping, or the big hauls at duty-free stores? Which method and channel for buying skincare products is the favorite among experts, and which suits you best? Let's take a look together.
Because I spend nearly 20,000 RMB annually on HR products, I can enjoy HR beauty care every two weeks, saving me the cost of going to a beauty salon. After each perfect beauty treatment, the staff would help me apply makeup, and this service is available anytime I visit the counter.
Without a doubt, such value-added services are our primary reasons for choosing counters, personalized skin tests, skin files, regular follow-ups, professional SPAs... Skincare brands are gradually improving their value-added services, sometimes we must admit that they are even more tempting than the products themselves.
Taking care of the online store has become the main part of life - Fiona1982, Diamond Seller for Australian & Japanese Purchasing Agency
Since the advent of online shopping, my attitude towards cosmetics is: absolutely not buying cosmetics domestically! With years of online shopping experience, I have my own way of distinguishing genuine from fake products regarding the quality issues everyone worries about: 1. Check if the store specializes in selling products from one region (such as all Japanese or Korean products), if they sell everything, there is likely to be fakes, as no one can manage everything; 2. Check if there are production date serial numbers, understand the basic characteristics and prices of the products, generally the price of genuine products cannot be too low, don't be greedy for ultra-low prices; 3. Check the reviews of previous buyers, this is actually a good method, time-saving and reliable. When I first started shopping, I hadn't yet summarized these experiences, so I also bought counterfeit goods before, which I immediately threw away. But it made me more cautious, and now I've developed a keen eye!
Holding beauty classes, skin care sessions, wine tastings, parties, etc., are also common ways for brands to enhance communication with members. Dior is the brand I've attended the most events for, frequently receiving invitations to their makeup classes, skin care sessions, large celebration parties, etc. The most unforgettable event was the launch of Dior's Passion Blue Gold Lipstick on the Bund last year, where the entire Oriental Pearl Tower was decorated in red. Being able to attend in person was indeed a very lucky experience. Last year, they also held a wine tasting at Friendship Hall, with many stars attending and wines priced at tens of thousands per bottle. These pleasures and satisfactions brought to the mind and spirit are something no other purchasing method can offer.
As the most primitive purchasing channel, "counters" possess an unshakable authority and reliability. But in today's era of highly developed online shopping and widespread cosmetic supermarkets, why do we still go to counters with higher prices? "Unbreakable quality assurance at counters, additional value-added services, professional beauty consultations, the most comprehensive product lines, super-valued discount packages..." The loyal supporters of counters and VIP customers of brands can enumerate countless reasons with their eyes closed. What are the mindsets of these VIP buyers who prefer traditional purchasing methods when choosing to buy from domestic counters? And what outstanding stories have they shared with the brands?
Value-added services are even more enticing than the products themselves - Chen Li, Enjoyed HR VIP Membership for 6 Years
E-commerce has rapidly developed, promoting the popularity of online shopping. More and more people like this simple and free way, but I am an exception. I like tangible, touchable, real things. The stylish and unique cosmetic counters, from their dazzling product displays to the friendly beauty consultants, are all places I linger. Moreover, most brands have counters in large malls in major cities, so every purchase makes me very confident about the product quality and after-sales service guarantees.
The price difference between domestic and international cosmetics can make many people excited, but quality assurance is the prerequisite for online shopping. Therefore, all the items in the store are ones I love and personally tested as a guinea pig, finding them to be excellent before recommending them. The production dates of the purchased items are generally fresh, and with quality assured, few buyers question the quality. Besides, the information is transparent, and you can find price and packaging references on the brand's official website. We can also provide copies of counter receipts and certificates.
Because of my confidence in online shopping, not only skincare products, but recently due to house renovation, I even started buying home goods online: oil paintings from Shenzhen, iron racks for European-style bathrooms, and even a 4000 RMB Provence-style sofa, all purchased online. There is no more economical, convenient, and fast purchasing method!
I have a lot of membership qualifications: Dior, Chanel, Estée Lauder, Lancôme, Biotherm, Shiseido, etc., and the exclusive courtesies of each brand are different. Except for Chanel, all other brands have points-for-gift activities, and the best one I got was a Dior watch, which was very valuable.
In recent years, the activities available to HR members have become more frequent and varied. Not long ago, I participated in a beauty lecture where experienced trainers taught us how to take care of our skin, and we shared skincare tips together, which was very interesting. Additionally, I often receive magazines sent by the brand, and they always tell me what to pay attention to during seasonal changes. Such thoughtful actions make me feel very cared for. (Intern Editor: Wang Anran)
Intangible value-added services always bring spiritual satisfaction - Zhang Sijing, DIOR Dior VIP Member
Way II Online Shopping