Buying Makeup at Close-out Stores

Close-out and dollar stores hold an irresistible allure for bargain hunters. Who could complain about getting a new television for half price or a family sized bottle of laundry detergent for a dollar? These stores may be great places to score deals on electronics, home decor and household cleaning products, buying your make up at these places may not be the bargain you're looking for.

Close-out stores get there merchandise for overstocks, discontinued items, and in some cases returns. Most of the merchandise is in top condition and provides customers with the opportunity to buy high dollar merchandise at significant discounts, but buying make-up at these stores can be especially tricky. Some of the products can be up to five years old. Lip sticks and nail polishes can become sticky or caked. Blushes and eye shadows can lose color and fade over time, foundations can separate and mascaras can become dry and unusable. Some of these problems are purely aesthetic, but some old products can harbor bacteria and cause infections, especially products used around the sensitive eye area.

Not all products are old and outdated. There are some great bargains to be had if you know how to steer clear of problem merchandise. The first thing to look for is packaging that is torn or faded. If the package has faded during long storage, the pigments in the makeup will be unstable. You don't want your new pink blush to look orange on your skin!

Brands often change their package design, so if you spot close-out make up in discontinued packaging, avoid them, as they are usually old. You may also notice make-up with foreign language labels. These make-up products should be avoided, as well. Many are imported from countries that do not have stringent consumer safety laws and can be full of ingredients that are harmful or untested for use in cosmetics.

Even if you follow the guidelines here, there may be times when you purchase make-up that is spoiled or otherwise damaged. It is important that you save your receipts and return the merchandise to the store. Return and exchange policies differ from store to store, so check the store's return policy before purchasing make-up.