Guide to Confidence in Online Shopping ~

I know shopping online can be a bit scary to some people. There are a lot more risks than buying something from a physical store because you only have a profile and pictures to go from. However, if you can get it right, online shopping can be pretty easy and convenient, it opens up a a much bigger variety to what you can buy and if you know what to look out for you can feel a lot more confident in what you purchase.

Here are 11 simple tips that are good to practice when deciding if something is safe to buy:

1. Research. This is probably the most important thing you can do and is linked to all the other points. If you find a product you are unsure about research its name and brand. ALWAYS research the name of the store, the brand, the product itself. Use google, tumblr, blogger, facebook etc to find the store and search for information.

2. Reviews. In your research you should look for reviews. These are a good indicator of how trustworthy a shop is and the quality of their products. Multiple reviews would be best as one bad review should not reflect the entire reliability of the shop or the product. It may have just been a one off mistake or honest miss in quality control.

3. Price. The price of the product is an indicator of the quality. If you buy, for example, a belted dress for $10. It sure looks cute, but don't be disappointed if when you get it it has lose threads, poor stitching or has the probability it will fall apart quickly. It annoys me to no end when I see people reviewing a product negatively for these reasons and they don't acknowledge the price of the item. You can't expect top quality for virtually nothing.

4. Feedback. Some marketplace sites have a feedback system be it written reviews or ratings. Etsy, ebay, amazon, even taobao have feedback systems. High ratings for a high amount of sales is good. Low rating for any number of sales is bad. If it is based on written feedback read the customers comments and get a generalised idea of how reliable the store and product is.

5. Sales. Again number of sales is important. Especially for places like storenvy which do not have a rating system. The higher the number of sales you can assume the more reliable they are and the likely you will be able to find a review or information from past customers.

6. Sizing. Always check your size. Don't go off generalised/standardised sizes, go off measurements and compare them to your own measurements. If there are no measurements offered you can always ask for them.

7. Communication. Don't ever hesitate to ask the seller questions. They should get back to you fairly quickly, if they are not quick they will usually excuse themselves. If you have already bought the item you can ask for updates on the purchase, most will do that themselves, but if you are ever worried just let them know your problem or request help from them, you are within your right to do so.

8. Payment. Paypal is probably the most secure and safe method of payment. I personally prefer to use it, if the site does not accept paypal I find that a deterrent to shopping there. Paypal makes it really easy to keep in contact with the seller and you are much more likely to get your money back if anything goes wrong, so long as you open your dispute within 45 days of paying.

9. Materials. Materials can tell you a lot of things about the product. How sturdy it is, how comfortable it would be to use/wear, if it is toxic, if you are paying too much for it. Cheap fabrics can make you sweat, they can damage easily, it is a good thing to keep in mind if you are paying a lot of money for something made out of polyester. Or if you are buying something that actually has harmful ingredients.

10. Photos. Photo quality is a good indicator of if you might be about to get ripped off. If the photo is of low resolution it is most likely a picture that had been copied from the internet many times. If it is a crisp clean photo then it is more likely to be an exclusive picture to that store. If it has a watermark or signature, that does not belong to the store selling it, it may be a replica or the seller may have permission to use the images. It is more reassuring if there is a photo credit in the description. This is not always the case, taobao resellers will often use the same image because they are being supplied from the same place and taobao images often have a watermark or logo with the shop number. If it looks like an image of a well know brand at a much lower price then the item is most likely a replica.

11. Policies. Sellers and buyers should be aware of their shop policies. When someone buys from a seller it is like entering an agreement for both parties. Be aware as a seller that you must be true to whatever policies you have given and as customers read them so you know what you are agreeing to when you buy the item and what to do if you need to make a return or exchange.

There are exclusions to these points but these are things you should always look for if you are unsure about something. Alway go with your gut, if you have done your best research and you are still unsure don't buy it. If you are happy to risk it then give it a shot and you can always fall back on paypal disputes and claims. 

I hope this will help you!

Cosmetic & Chemical Awareness - Advice from Fawn ♥

Labels. You have got to read them, especially when it comes to cosmetics and adhesives. I'm not going to preach to you about how great natural products are over chemical. Despite my views on animal testing and carcinogens in beauty products I know that not everyone can afford organic quality brands, I actually prefer to use home remedies because I hate the idea of paying a fortune for things just because they are not poison, however I think it's for everyones benefit if you are aware of what potentially poisonous chemicals you may be exposing yourself to in cheaper products.

So I have compiled a little list of some well known hazardous chemicals often used in products as well as some good natural products you may be interested in.

Definitions:

Carcinogen - A substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue.
Cruelty Free - No animal testing was used with the product.
Dermatologically Tested -  Tested on human volunteers to determine a products tendency to irritate skin, efficiency or skin tolerance. (Does not mean it is cruelty free as well)

Why this is important:

I first became much more conscious of reading labels for chemicals when I bought a pair of adhesive bras for $8. After buying them on the train trip home I was bored and idly read the label with the adhesive ingredients. It contained lead, arsenic, mercury and barium just to name a few. It said it was approved to be safe to use by Australian standards. However, with most of those chemicals this issue isn't exposure it isaccumulation, a build up of the chemicals in a humans system that causes the problem. So is there really a 'safe' level of those chemicals? I personally don't think there really could be. Especially when putting it on such a sensitive area.

Another case you might know about was that PSA about the nail polish from hottopic containing lead that went around tumblr a while back. Think of what happens when you wear nail polish, if you are anything like me I put my fingers near and in your mouth sometimes and I notice nail polish has chipped away. I would not like to think I am ingesting small bits of lead each time I do this. Nail polish is pretty toxic to begin with, there is a reason they say pregnant women and young children should not wear it.

Those are just a couple of examples of hazardous chemicals in cosmetics. There are many more,and they are not all well known and sadly perfectly legal to use.

List of Hazardous & Potentially Hazardous Chemicals to Look Out For:

• Lead - A highly poisonous metal that can affect all organs of the body. Main target is the nervous system and can cause kidney disease, anaemia, miscarriage, reduced fertility, reduced cognitive function, blood and brain disorders and death depending on your age and level of lead you are exposed to. 
• Mercury - Extremely toxic metal. If accumulated to high enough levels it will cause damage to the kidney, brain, and lungs. Mercury poisoning can result in several diseases, including acrodynia, Hunter-Russell syndrome, and Minamata disease.
• Barium/Barium Compounds -  At low doses, barium ions act as a muscle stimulant, whereas higher doses affect the nervous system, causing cardiac irregularities, tremors, weakness, anxiety, dyspnea and paralysis.
• Arsenic - Arsenic poisoning is caused by elevated levels of arsenic in the body. It tends to affect the kidneys, lungs, skin and liver. Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, bloody urine, cramping and hair loss. Final result is coma and death.
• BHA & BHT - Used mainly as preservatives in skin care products and makeup. Suspected endocrine disruptors. Harmful to fish and wildlife.
• Benzoyl Peroxide - Used in acne products. A skin, eye and lung irritant. Toxic by inhalation. Possible carcinogen and tumor promoter.
• Dibutyl phthalate - Used as a plasticiser in some nail care products. Suspected endocrine disrupters and reproductive toxicant. Harmful to fish and wildlife.
• DEA, MEA & TEA - Diethanolamine, Monoethanolamine, Triethanolamine. A foam booster used in shampoos and cleansers. Skin and eye irritant, known to cause dermatitis and easily absorbed through the skin to accumulate in organs and the brain. Also a carcinogen.
• Parabens - (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl) Endocrine disruptors and may interfere with male fertility. May cause hormonal imbalance in females and early puberty. Also a carcinogen, known to contribute to breast cancer.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate & Sodium Laureth Sulfate - Used in garage floor cleaners, car washes, engine degreasers and 90% of personal care products that foam. Linked to eye damage, depression, laboured breathing, diarrhoea, skin irritation and death.
• Siloxanes - Ingredients ending in "-siloxane" or "-methicone". Used in products to soften, smooth and moisten. Suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant (cyclotetrasiloxane). Harmful to fish and other wildlife.
• Petroleum Plastics - Propylene Glycol and Butylene Glycol. EPA considers these substances so toxic it requires gloves, goggles, protective clothing to handle it and disposal by burying. It warns against skin contact to protect brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. Possible carcinogen
• Triclosan - A pesticide, used in antibacterial products. Suspected endocrine disruptors and may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Harmful to wildlife and fish. Also a carcinogen.

List of Carcinogens and Potential Carcinogens:

• Coal Tar Dyes - Maybe listed as FD&C colour and pigments, p-phenylenediamine and colours listed as "CI" with a 5 digit number following it. Contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins to the skin which can affect the brain and cause skin irritations. Absorption may cause oxygen depletion and death. Nearly all are carcinogenic.
• PEGs - (Polyethylene Glycol) Conatains high levels of Dioxin and are very common in a range of products. From sunscreen, to baby care to personal care.
• Dioxin - Won't appear in ingredient lists. Found in PEGs, Triclosan and ehtoxylated cleansers. Causes cancer, reduced immunity, birth defects, miscarriages and nervous system disorders.
• Petrolatum - Used in some hair products and in lip balms and moisturisers as a moisture barrier. A petroleum product that can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which may cause cancer.
• Parfum (aka 'fragrance') - Used to scent products, but have been used in unscented products too. Can trigger allergies and asthma. Some linked to neurotoxicity and cancer. Some harmful to wildlife and fish.
• Aluminium - Used in underarm antiperspirants. It mimics estrogen that can damage DNA and has a possible link to breast cancer.
• 1,4-Dioxane - Not listed in ingredients. A carcinogen that can contaminate petroleum based ingredients that are used in sudsing products such as bubble bath, shampoo and body wash.
• 1,3-Butadiene - Found as a contaminant of products that contain isobutane as a propellant. Suchs as in shaving creams, spray on sunscreen and foundation, and antifungal treatment. Exposure mainly occurs through inhalation and links to breast cancer.
• DMDM Hydantoin, Methanemine, Quarternium -15, Imidazolidinyl Urea & Diazolidinyl Urea - Used in a variety of products, most as preservatives. They slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde. May cause joint pain, cancer, skin reactions, depression, allergies, headaches, chest pain, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness and insomnia.
• Phthalates - Esters, usually used as plasticizers. Linked to endocrine disruption and breast cancer. Even a potential link to obesity. Children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are the most vulnerable. Found in nail polish, fragranced lotion, colour products, body wash and hair care. Look for DBP, DEP, fragrance or phthalates on the label.

Other Ingredients to Be Aware Of:

• Palm Oil - A vegetable oil derived from palms. This is an industry causing massive habitat loss to orangutans. It is very unlikely to be harvested sustainably if you find it in your ingredients.

Now you may be thinking, "Well shit Fawn, what products are not going to kill me?". Of course it is unlikely you will die as a direct cause of using products that contain these but they are definitely not good for you. Your best bet is to not use products that contain them and those will most likely be organic and natural brands. Of course, if the label has organic on it, you will most likely be paying more because marketers see it as a way to make more money. A way to save is to make home remedies using your own natural ingredients. They take time and effort to make and are not suited to everyone either.
Now you have a good list to look for to, so you can check your labels and know what you maybe exposing yourself to. If you are looking for some labels that are not likely to have these harmful ingredients check out some of the ones I have listed.

Carcinogen & Toxin Free Products:

• Natural Instincts - Personal care, skin care, shampoo, body wash, baby care. I use the body wash of this company and it is gorgeous! Cruelty free and made from essential oils with lots of organically sourced ingredients.
• Lush - Organic and ethically sourced personal care products, cruelty free and handmade products.
• Sanctum - Certified organic, vegan and not tested on animals.
• Inika - Certified organic and mineral makeup.
• Zuii Organic - Cruelty free, halal and vegan organic makeup.
• Bloom Cosmetics - Have an organic range of skin and hygiene products.
• Tony Moly - I don't know how accurate the translations are but this Korean brand has a big focus on organic and natural ingredients and claim to be cruelty free.
• The Body Shop - I don't believe to be all organic but they have a focus on natural sources and are cruelty free (they sold out on animal cruelty by selling their products to china who, by their laws, can test the products on animals before or after its been put on the shelf in stores), use no palm oil, and support ethical sourcing and sustainability.
• Butter London - For your DBP, phthalate, formaldehyde and paraben free cosmetics (BEST NAIL POLISH OMG)

Sources:

• Breast Cancer Fund
• David Suzuki
• MindBodyGreen
• Campaign for Safe Cosmetics