Happy Groundhog Day! I think it’s going to be an early Spring this year!
Out of sheer curiosity, I placed orders for some makeup accessories off AliExpress:
This cost me only $13.97 for all 7 brushes! 😮 (all prices are in Canadian dollars) I’ve been wanting to try the Real Techniques Bold Metals brushes for a while now, but at $35 for just the Flat Contour brush, I couldn’t justify the purchase. It would have cost me $205 before taxes for all 7 brushes from the Bold Metals collection. I mean, aren’t RT brushes meant to be a cheaper alternative?
I heard about this little egg contraption to help with brush cleaning from Christy over at Glam Necessities:
At $3.42, it was a bit more pricey than some other listings for this same item but this was the from the same seller as the RT brushes, so for convenience sake, I just bought it from that listing.
And would you look at this!
This only cost $1.56!!! 😮 It’s obviously similar to the MAC Oval 6 Brush… once I receive it I’ll do a side by side comparison.
A couple of other dupe items I got to test out:
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge for $0.70, instead of $10 that I paid for the one I purchased recently.
Nars Kabuki Ita Brush – it’s so shameful this brush retails for $67, and it’s made in China. Let’s see how this $2.74 version compares!
And lastly:
This was the main reason I went on AliExpress to begin with – I wanted more of the nail swatching spoons I had bought off eBay before. They’re about 20% cheaper on AliExpress for the same thing. I ordered 12 sets of this so I was able to get the bulk pricing as well ($2.44 per 32pc set). This item did charge a shipping fee of $6.57 due to the quantity I was ordering (I tested the check-out page – if I’d stayed under 4 sets, then shipping would have been free. If I wanted to game the system, I could have ordered 3 separate orders of 4 sets but for a few bucks I ain’t got no time for that! 😛 )
AliExpress is the business to consumer side of Alibaba (Ablibaba is more B2B, selling in bulk) – the shopping experience is just like eBay but without the bidding, everything is just “Buy It Now”. I know people who have ordered off AliExpress with good results. They purchased clothing and mobile accessories though… so I’m hoping these makeup accessories are decent. I ordered these on January 30th and shipping time is quoted to be anywhere from 15 to 60 days. Although, I didn’t really plan my purchases properly because it’s coming up to Chinese New Years, which means most Chinese businesses are closed for the next 2 weeks. 😳
I would caution against buying any actual makeup items from AliExpress as they’re all known to be fakes. Urban Decay, MAC, Lorac do NOT manufacture makeup items in China – it makes absolutely no sense that Chinese factories would have these “excess” goods to sell. Even buying no-name makeup from China is a bit risky – just who knows what ingredients are in them? The products aren’t regulated like buying from a reputable source / brand. However, the brushes I bought are manufactured in China, so it’s a tad more likely that these are from the actual factories. So now, we wait and see…
Have you ordered anything off AliExpress before?
All product photos are from their respective product listing page.
stash matters 
HEY HEY
never ordered from them
I love the brushes – so PURDYYYYYYY XOXOXO
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My first time! Those brushes ARE pretty! I hear they’re super soft too. I can’t believe how cheap they were on AliExpress!
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i’m doing the internet search today Lol xoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxox
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What a bargain!
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I know, right? The prices are crazy. I was tempted to get more stuff. I hope they work out!
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Good luck then
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What a bargain! Especially the RT Bold Metals brushes! Hope you like them, I think they are great, the ones I’ve tried anyway!
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I hope they’re work out. Unfortunately I won’t have the real RT Bold Metals brushes to do a comparison but I will review them as best I can based on what I’ve seen online.
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Hopefully! Would love to hear how you get on with them!
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Nice dupes! You’ll have to let us know how they compare…especially the NARS Ita brush! Hopefully your purchases come quickly.
My fiancé introduced me to AliExpress maybe about a year ago, but I’ve never bought anything from the website due to being a super paranoid shopper…somehow, buying something on a Chinese website seems riskier than buying something made in China in a brick and mortar store – not sure how that logic works haha.
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Exactly! We have no issues buying Wet n Wild or NYX – both brands that are made in China but imported by their respective companies. But to buy direct… feels risky. I hope I will have good experience with these! I’ll most definitely post an update once I receive the items.
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Curious: Are the sellers claiming that these are the real brand name items? It will be interesting to see if these are the real deal from the factories (but unbranded?), or just cheap copy cats.
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Most of them don’t claim to be the real deal, however, the Real Techniques Bold Metals seller does offer the set with or without the Real Techniques logos and boxes (I opted for sans logos which saved quite a bit of money). I would NOT be surprised if some of these were from the factories that produced these goods, just labelled differently for sale in the local market. I do own the real deals on a few of these items so I’ll be doing side by side comparisons!
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Looking forward to your comparison report!
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Interesting! I have never gave Aliexpress a try as I was afraid I was going to get completely ripped off, but when it comes to the beauty items you bought, I would be more willing to buy something. If its already manufactured there, then how much different can it be?
I can’t wait to see your post when you get them, such a great deal!
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I figured it was a low investment if the products are complete crap. And I was quite encouraged by the experiences of my friends who have ordered stuff off AliExpress and were really happy with them! Fingers crossed!
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Oh for sure! I hope it works out.
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I’m curious about that oval brush! I’ve been wanting to try something similar, so I can’t wait to see what you think about it.
While I’m here, I nominated you for the Blogger Recognition award! I don’t know if you ever do those but I thought it would be interesting to read your story 🙂
❤
https://beauty0bunny.com/2016/02/02/blogger-recognition-award/
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Thanks Savannah! I will check it out! 🙂
The MAC Oval brush I have is suuuuper soft but it also cost me something like $50 so I’m psyched to try this $1.50 version! 😛
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Ooooooo yeah you need all the polish swatch things you can get, esp after that hoard of polish you got for your B-day last year. I might order some myself. I AM cheap enough to order 4 sets 3 times 😛
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Hahaha, I did momentarily toy with doing that, but eh, I didn’t want to mess around since I really want those nail polish swatching spoons out of everything I purchased on the site! I don’t care if nothing else pans out but those are key! I have so much swatching to do lol. You just wait til you see the upcoming nail polish haul summary post I have coming up for all my January purchases – it ain’t over yet! 😛
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More hauling woohoo!!! Lol. I can’t believe you got those brushes at such a steal!!! Omg so jealous ! I’ve been wanting to try them but the prices are pretty crazy
I have seen that brush on ebay and I was curious about it. I might purchase it since it’s super inexpensive compared to the other brand named ones! I hope you enjoy the brush egg!!! I know I do lol:D
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I’m willing to bet money those ones on eBay are from the same sellers on AliExpress! I’ve seen lots of similar listings on both sites. I just hope shipping isn’t too long and the items arrive as pictured! 😛 I will keep you all posted!
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Omgosh! Yes lol I’ve ordered stuff that look so luxurious looking in pictures and when they arrive I’m like uhh? What lol 😛
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So are the RT brushes the real deal? If so thats an awesome baragin!
I always find things to buy on Ali Baba but like you said it’s definitely more for those buying in bulk. ..boo.
Will wait til you get your order before I try out AliExpress.
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I’m not sure if it’s the real deal however, the seller in that listing has the option of buying the set with or without the RT logo / boxes. It was cheaper to buy it without the logo so I went with that option. So my question is, how would they have the ability to stamp the logo if it’s not the factory that’s producing them? I will definitely post an update with all my AliExpress goodies! Fingers crossed! 🙂
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I’m so curious to hear what you think of the items you bought. I’m always equal parts wary and intrigued by places like AliExpress. Tangentially, it boggles my mind that that China requires animal testing but seems to put whatever they want into products anyway. It’s a strange world we live in.
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Yes I agree, it’s quite contradictory isn’t it? I shall post a follow up post on these items once I receive them!
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I bought a dress before and some gadget accessories before and they were good and pretty cheap too! 👍🏻
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Oh good to know that you had a good experience! I hope I will too! Thanks for sharing with me! 😀
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No probs! They’ve been selling for a good number of years now and just look at their reviews and it will help you decide more.. Have you checked DH Gate and I-Offer too? They have great dupe products too..👍🏻
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Haven’t heard of those 2 sites at all – thanks for introducing them to me. Uh oh, is this the beginning of a dangerous thing? 😆 Yes, I made sure I stuck with reputable sites with good ratings!
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Hahahaha!! I’ve been collecting new stuff too and cannot wait to share them to everyone.. How I wish I can just record a video than writing.. It’s going to be a long haul soon.. Hahahahahah
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Never ordered from them, but a friend of mine recommends them as she’s had great experiences. I guess just like eBay, you just have to be cautious and do your homework. Hopefully you get everything as described and those dupe brushes are a bargain! 😀 x
Caryl – http://carylalmelor.com/
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That’s so good to hear! Yes, you’re right, do your research and it should be fine! 🙂
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Can’t wait to see the follow up post! If those brushes are the real deal I know where I’m getting new brushes after my no buy ends!!
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Fingers crossed! The waiting is the worst part haha…
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Oooh those Real Technique brushes look so pretty!
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I just hope in real life they look as good!
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It could be different for you, but from my personal experience it’s super cheap and not the real stuff !!! 😦
I’m not a fan of the new RT brushes but again we all have different taste …
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Oooh but good to know! It could all very well be complete crap. I’ll find out, I guess! 🙂 I’ve seen some brushes at Winners that look similar to the RT Bold Metals too. I wonder about those. But they’re still $10 each at least.
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I’ve never ordered from AliExpress, not sure why because it makes sense to get those nail thingies there! I’ve gotten mine off eBay, though they’re obviously always from China, too.
I love how almost every day this month is a haul for you XD ❤
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The haul posts will end this week… I have a few more lagging posts. 😛
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Guessing they ship to the UK too, will be going to check out the ITA look alike (and that MAC one too) as it’s been on my wishlist for ages but can’t justify the £40!
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Oh yes they ship to the UK for sure. Give it a go!
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Have any of your bits arrived yet? Interested in the RT lookalikes
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Nah, I placed this order on Jan 30th and it’s now the height of Chinese New Year. I don’t expect anything to arrive until at least end of February earliest.
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Those brushes are lovely! I remember when you posted a pic on IG. ❤
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Yes! 😀 I try to keep up with social media in case people don’t get to the blog. 🙂 I can’t wait to receive these brushes in the mail.
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They look great! 🙂
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I’ve been so scared to buy things there because I heard a lot of people didnt get their products but maybe Ill give it a try now!
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The risk is low since with AliExpress the money is held in escrow and isn’t released until the buyer receives the item. So if I don’t receive the item, I’m not out any money. 🙂
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Ooh really? I didnt know that! Thanks for the info!
x Mae
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