Related Articles
Meet the professional make-up artist who shocks clients by buying second-hand makeup from eBay and Vinted – and thinks it’s saved her £200. Natalie James, 44, isn’t put off by buying pre-loved makeup – saving both money and the environment.
The professional make-up artist, from south west London, always buys products that are brand new in packaging and ensures that she fully sanitises her purchases before using them on her clients. She has found buying pre-owned is especially handy when buying limited edition or discontinued products which can be ”impossible to find new”.
Natalie said: “Buying makeup on eBay and other second-hand sites has saved me hundreds of pounds. If the product is brand new and in the original packaging, then there’s nothing wrong with it and can be cleaned and used on my clients.
“People have such a pre-conceived idea about buying second hand, especially beauty products. If you know where to look and how to properly sanitise the products, then it’s a fantastic alternative and is much better for the environment.
“It makes me feel good to use makeup that someone isn’t using – it’s the same as buying pre-loved fashion. Giving a product a new lease of life helps reduce waste.
“As a professional makeup artist, continually sanitating my pro-kit is part and parcel of the job, which is why I was open to buying second hand as I’m constantly sanitising my products anyway.”
Natalie’s first second-hand purchase was a Dior Kabuki brush which she bought from eBay for £10 in 2019. Natalie described this as the ‘’perfect’’ brush for bronzers and highlighter but was frustrated that it was only available to buy in a set and not as a stand-alone product.
It would have cost £40 to buy the brush brand new makeup set, so she decided to look online to see if anyone was selling the brush on its own. She was delighted to find the brush available for £10 – saving herself £30.
Despite initial misgivings about buying makeup someone else had owned already she soon realised it was ”the way forward”. Natalie, who recently worked at Milan fashion week and specialises in connecting women with the right makeup products for them, said: “I was so impressed, and it really opened my eyes to the world of buying second hand.
“I bought so many of them for myself and my clients because it was such a great deal. I just made sure to sanitise the brushes properly before use. I’ve saved nearly £200 so far.
”I do tell my clients when using second hand products. I always heavily sanitise anything I use, but when I tell my clients they’re always delighted and ask me to get one for them. Especially if I’m using discontinued items that I’ve tracked down on eBay.
“My clients are immediately reassured that everything is completely sanitised. The main reaction is ‘I didn’t even know you can buy makeup on eBay’ so it’s great to inspire others to shop pre-loved.”
Her latest second-hand success story was the purchase of two ByTerry products from eBay in September 2022. Both the highlighter and blush palette, which were in their original packaging, had been discontinued and are collectors’ items.
She paid £40 for both, including postage and packaging, when the items would have cost over £100 if bought together brand new. “It was an absolute result and just goes to show that it’s always worth looking second-hand, especially for discontinued or limited edition items” Natalie said.
”I’ve saved myself so much money since I started looking out for second hand bargains. I actually really enjoy hunting round for these rare items and feel so good when I get a real bargain and can help the environment at the same time .”
In total Natalie has saved £181 by shopping savvy and looking online for second-hand deals. Natalie said: “The cost of living is hitting people hard, so it’s important to save wherever you can.
“Buying second-hand gives people the opportunity to buy luxury or designer products that they may not have been able to afford before. I think people get put off by the idea of putting something on your face that isn’t brand new, but as long as you sanitise the products beforehand then there’s no reason to worry.
“I know that buying second hand is a massive gamble and people have their reservations, but if you do your research and know what to look for, then it can be such an amazing alternative and you can make huge savings on amazing products.”
Natalie’s Top Tips for buying makeup second hand online
- Look at the seller reviews – have they consistently been given 5 stars? Does the feedback say that the product sold was the same as what was advertised?
- Check that the seller has sold makeup before
- Are the photos clear? Make sure that they provide close up/ zoomed in photos of the product so that you can check the texture, particularly if the product has been swatched or partially used
- Once you’ve found a good seller, keep them as a contact. It can be great to go back to a seller that you know you can trust
- Sanitise! First spray the outer packaging with hand sanitizing spray. When sanitising the makeup, Natalie recommends “Beauty So Clean” – an industry standard makeup sanitising spray that kills 99% of bacteria but won’t damage the product or alter the formula
- If you still have cleanliness concerns, Natalie recommends scarping the top layer off a powder or removing the top layer of a cream with a clean knife
- If in doubt, message the seller! Don’t be afraid to ask how the makeup has been stored or hold old it is
You can follow Natalie on Instagram @nataliejamesmakeup.
