For those of you who have done makeup swaps before, I'm sure you've had at least one good experience. There are so many awesome ladies out there who love trying new products & swapping with others - it's a great way to de-stash your overstock of makeup you'll never even open, a fun way to try new products and an exciting surprise...when all goes well.
The problem with swapping, however, is that everybody isn't always honest.
I've heard/seen horror stories of people spending hundreds on a swap, only to receive a box of far lower value, trashed products, and sometimes nothing at all. While the majority of the time, things like this don't happen, sometimes they do - everyone should know how to protect themselves & set up a swap that will benefit both parties.
Looking to do a swap? Here's a few tips.
One - When you're looking for a swap partner, try to find someone who has positive feedback. Granted, this won't happen every time, but it never hurts to ask. Many ladies either have feedback or can get it from past customers/swappers, whether it be through a FB group, Makeupalley, or another source.
Two - Make sure to explore your options before deciding on a swap partner. Do you want to try new products from overseas, or are you looking to build your collection from brands you already know & love? If you go international, keep in mind that prices are different everywhere - it's often easier to swap by number of items as opposed to dollar amount, as exchange rates & price differences can be drastic.
Three - Before buying anything, agree to a date & budget. I've been the person to go out and buy products, only to have a swap fall apart. Before you go shopping, make sure you have at least a general date you're planning on sending off your boxes, and make sure you have agreed on a price range for your goodies so that you both get a good deal.
Four - Discuss your preferences. Hate purple lipstick? Mention that. Don't wear lipstick? Definitely mention that. Already have every single Too Faced palette in existence? They should know that too. Allergies, product preferences, favorite brands, skin type/color - these are all things that should be brought up between swappers. Make sure you know that the products you're buying will actually be used by your swap buddy...and make sure the products you're getting are ones that won't just be collecting dust on your vanity.
Five - Remember to think your purchases through. Don't buy things because you love them necessarily, buy them because they would be a great product for your partner. Keep location in mind - if you're swapping internationally, they could be in the heat of summer while you're descending into the freezing temperatures of winter. Even if you're swapping within the US/Canada, someone living in Florida is going to be wanting much different product in December than someone living in Michigan. Keep this in mind when you're picking colors & products.
Six - Specify what you want in a swap - do you want to be surprised, or do you want to pick some products? Most swaps that I've done have been a combination of the two, where we picked certain items we'd been lusting after, and then left the rest up to our swap partner. I personally love opening the box without knowing what I'm going to get, but everybody has their own preferences. Communication is key!
Seven - Protect yourself. I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH. If you have paypal, use it - it's the best way to stay protected both as a buyer & seller. Take pictures for your own evidence in the case of an unfounded claim against you & make sure to ship with tracking so things don't get lost in the mail. If you're shipping enough expensive items, insurance would also be a good idea. It's also a good idea to discuss packaging with your swap partner - there is no such thing as too much bubble wrap. Never ever.
**If you need help setting up a transaction through Paypal for a swap, let me know & I'll do a tutorial. It's quite easy but I have met a lot of people that weren't aware you could do this for swaps!
Even though this might all sound like a lot of work, don't let me scare you off. Swapping is awesome!! Personally, it's one of my favorite things. I love getting to shop for someone else & try to pick the perfect items for them, and I love the surprise of waiting for my box to arrive, even though it does feel like slow torture much of the time. You can find info about my Aussie Makeup Swap here - with much more to be coming soon!
Besides the fun of getting to try new products, it's also a great way to connect with other ladies out there that share a love of all things makeup, and it's also a great way to give yourself something to look forward to (: