Makeup Alley: How to Use This Fun and Addictive Website

I have recently found this amazing website called Makeup Alley, which I would like to share with you. This wonderful website is a community of girls and women who like to swap makeup, fragrances, hair products, purses, jewelry, and other things as well. This website is very fun and also addicting. It's great if you would just like to try new products, and is a great way to get rid of unwanted items as well. You set up items for trade, by simply adding them to your "Swap List". Other people on the website will see your items up for swap- and often tell you that they're interested in trading items with you. When they send you these messages, you take a look at their list, see if there's anything you want, trade addresses, and send off each others items! Whenever I get a birthday gift that I do not want, I simply add it to my swap list, and swap for something I know I will like.

We've all been there before. It goes a little something like this- You see a product that you would like to try at the store, so you simply purchase it. You take it home, and after a one or several uses, the product just doesn't cut it for you. It sits in your bathroom cabinet, closet, or your makeup bag until you either throw it away or give it away. This is one of the reasons Makeup Alley is a very unique and fun web sites for teenage girls and women today. You can simply swap those items away for items that you want. This is ideal for those who like to try out new products, and those who want to get rid of the products they don't use, for something you will use.

Creating an account on Makeup Alley is just as fast, free, and easy as signing up for Myspace or Face book. You don't have to give any personal information out, and you don't have to be a certain age to swap, either.

Another great benefit of being a member on Makeup alley is you get to read reviews and ratings to see what others are saying about a certain product. I really like the idea of there being reviews- It's very helpful when considering buying something that I haven't used before. Whenever I hear about a new beauty product, I always go to Makeup alley and see what others are saying.

Guide For New Members:

1) Add some items to your swap list.

There's so much you can add to your swap list! I suggest going through your bathroom cabinets, and closets and finding things that you haven't touched in a long time, or things that you no longer use, but are in decent condition. Gather these items in a box. *When adding things to your swap list, remember to include details, such as if it is brand new or gently used. Tell how much of the product is left, and also provide the size of the product.

2) Create A Swap Notepad.

Your swap notepad is sort of like an "About me". It's ideal for briefly explaining to other swappers who view your swap list a little about you, such as things that interest you, rules to consider when swapping with you, etc. In mine, I included rules, such as "If you have less or no feedback than me, please send first". I also added informative information about swapping, such as what days I am able to make it to the post office, and inform swappers of information that anyone would consider when swapping. Such as, "My items come from a smoke-free home". Your swap notepad does not have to be long or short. Writing a notepad is not necessary to swap on Makeup alley, but it lets other users know a little about you and where your items come from.

3) Add Pictures.

Just like creating a swap notepad, this is not necessary. But often, it would be nice to provide pictures for certain products so other swappers can see the color, size, etc. of the product.

Make a Wish list.

A wish list is a variation of items that you want, or items that you regularly use. This comes in handy when swapping with you; As other users can see an idea of what kind of items you would like to swap for, and other members can contact you about a certain item that they have.

4) Search Wish lists.

Thank goodness for the search tool! With over 2 Million members of makeup alley, and so many items to search through- This search tool is really unique and helpful when looking to swap with another member for something that you are looking to get rid of. Just simply type in one of the products from your swap list, and a list of people who want that item will show up. What you do from this point is contact that member about the item, with a brief message such as, "Hi, I saw that you would like to swap for this item, and I have it on my swap list if you are still interested. Please let me know if you would like to trade or not."

5) Search Products.

Searching for products that you want couldn't be any easier. Just simply do the same as step 4, except this time- Search for items that you want.

6) Wait 1-2 days to hear back from the other member.

Once they agree to swap with you for an item that you want, and an item that they want, your swap is close to finished. The next step would be to mark your items as "Pending" or "Sent", to let other users know that the certain item is not for swap any more.

7) Trade addresses.

Once you trade addresses with someone, this means your swap is finalized, and you MUST send your item out. (Unless you want to be known as a thief on Makeup Alley) If you are a new member of makeup alley- this means that you send out your item first. Because when you have less or no feedback than someone else, it's only fair that you send out first. Once the other member receives your item- They sent out their end. Every swapper has been there at least once, so it's not that bad!

*It's ideal to sanitize items before sending.

*Most of the time- (but not always) swappers will send out "Extras" with their item(s). (Such as samples of perfume or makeup, etc)

*Include a friendly note, such as "Thanks so much for the swap! I hope you like your new product. If you are pleased with this swap, please be sure to leave me a feedback token. Have a great day!"

8) Leave Feedback Tokens For Others.

This is the best way to build up your reputation on Makeup Alley. It's only important that you receive good feedback so that you can gradually work your way up to where you don't have to be the one to send your items out first. Your feedback also tells a little bit about what kind of swapper you are. You can leave someone a Positive, Neutral, or Negative feedback. It's just like the feedback that people receive on eBay. Be sure to leave feedback for others, as they will do the same for you!

But most of all, KEEP THIS WEBSITE FUN AND SAFE!

Love,

-Makeup Alley Addict