MakeupAlley Ettiquette

Hey guys!

As a lot of you know, we all have extra makeup lying around. Unless you have the self restraint of a Tibetan monk or are suffering from a bad case of paying the bills, you most likely have a few makeup products hidden away in your drawers. These are the products that don't match your skin tone, look absolutely hideous, aren't what you thought they would be, or maybe were just impulse purchases.

Fear not! I've been a long time lurker at MakeupAlley (forever trolling their product review boards) and have just recently discovered that they have opened the swap boards to newbies.

Enter a thousand singing angels, bringers of joy.

For the past two months, I have been frequenting the local post office so often that they now know my name and address (not that they didn't before). The premise of swapping is simple. You list up a beauty item (under category, brand, and include a product description). You can look up coveted makeup items that you've been lemming after, and you can put up items that you no longer use. Then, you contact the swapper, exchange addresses, and then send out items. After all has been said and done, you exchange swap tokens as a sort of review for each other's credibility. I have included below a few tips and pointers to make all transactions go much more smoothly.

Be's Tips and Trickeries
1. Try to be honest in your description box.

• Was your product un-earthened from Mordor itself or did you just recently buy it and lost the receipt?


• How much of the product is left? Include rough guidelines with percentages or times used in total.


• List multiple colors if you have them.


• Also list what you like to swap the item for, or direct them to your wishlist items by labeling the product as "wishlist only."

2. Some things are better left unswapped...

• I know you rarely touch that hideous lip gloss you got from a friend in middle school, but please do us all a favor and throw it away. Also try not to put up items such as mascara or brushes unless they are brand new and unopened.


• Liquids and powders are very fragile, so stock up on bubble wrap and use a quick shipping method or don't put them up at all. If the item breaks or melts in any way, you are responsible.


• No prescription items. Obvious reason is obvious. We don't want any Vicodins and Oxycotins being passed around as a part of a drug crime cartel operation thinly disguised as "makeup swapping."

3.     Be nice! And smart!

• Include a tracking number if you can, but you don't have to. Always keep receipts of all postage transactions made, especially with an international swap.

• Include some sample items if you want. Most experienced swappers will do this and I've received some awesome extras. I usually take this opportunity to give away anything small that I no longer care for and is too little for a significant transaction. I've also received Polish skin masks...not sure how to use them yet...instructions are rather cryptic...


• Don't use the item you got until you both receive the swap items. Then, if any party is unhappy you can do swap backs with less tension.


• Don't be pressured into swapping right away. Do respond to any requests within reasonable time, even if it's just to deny. If they want to swap and you are unsure, tell them! Otherwise if they give out an address and you say no, you will get a negative or neutral token.


• Match swap values when you can. No one wants to swap out their Chanel foundation for a few paltry lipsticks. Be reasonable and fair and ask if you can combine swaps if they have multiple items you want.


• Enforce the wishlist only rule to prevent any more makeup hoarding on your end.


• Leave a token after all transactions are through and warn others of any swaplifting experiences you may have. For all of my swapping I have never been swaplifted and only build credibility by being prompt and honest.

See my haul items by watching the YouTube link below! You will also be able to see some of my best items from swapping. Let me know if you plan on joining the swap site or what items you can't wait to get rid of for other beauty products!

-Be