Irish Shoppers Warned After Toxic Substances Found In Fake Kylie Jenner Cosmetics

Irish shoppers have been strongly warned of the risks of buying counterfeit cosmetics in the lead up to Christmas.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and the Health Service Executive (HSE) are advising consumers to be vigilant for counterfeit ‘high-end’ beauty products on sale through certain outlets, markets and websites in the lead up to Christmas. 

Fake items from Kylie Cosmetics by Kylie Jenner and Urban Decay were among some of the forged cosmetic brands which were found to contain arsenic and lead – illegal substances which can be dangerous to people’s health. 

The counterfeit products detained by the HPRA include Kylie Holiday-Burgundy and Bronze eyeshadow palettes, Kylie Matte liquid lipstick and lip liner, and Urban Decay eyeshadow palettes. 

ADVICE ON HOW TO SPOT A COUNTERFEIT COSMETIC

• Is it significantly cheaper than on the high street? 
• Is the distributor reliable? Beauty brands usually list their licenced sellers on their website.
• Physically check counterfeit cosmetics for:
• Uneven fill levels e.g. in eye-shadow palettes
• Faded packaging
• Misspelling on the packaging or in the information leaflet
• Slight differences in the name of the product or shade 
• A different print (font or style) on the container
• Mirrors that don’t quite fit or are of bad quality

If in doubt, don’t risk it.

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