Online shopping is so convenient that you don’t even have to leave your house. There is no need to walk through the aisles or deal with traffic. And don’t forget the long lines at checkout. Online shopping can be a lifesaver if you’re certain that the product you ordered is what you want or if you order something you have used before.
But with convenience, there are some annoyances that some of your friends would create a drama out of it. For example,
“My skin is pale with a yellow undertone, I cannot be so sure online which foundation would suit me?”
“I have oily skin and I am afraid if I should go foundation shopping online.”
“Online shopping can be difficult although it sounds great to shop from the comfort of your home, but what if I get the wrong product? It doesn’t matter if the product isn’t what you want, but it can be frustrating if the products aren’t right for my skin.”
These worries are common among many beauty shoppers and sound genuine too. But there is one classic way of handling these worries.
It might be worth going to Sephora or a departmental store makeup counter to ask them for help in finding the right foundation shade which matches your skin tone. They will test foundations on you and inform you if it is better to choose a cool, warm or neutral shade. A sample of your favourite foundation may be sent to you to test at home (although this would be a paid sample). You can also compare it with other shades. After you’ve gathered this information, and you’ve compared the shades that work well for you with those that don’t, you should be able to order foundation online.
But there are much modern ways of effectively dealing with online shopping worries. Does skin tone quiz ring a bell? Read on…
Online shopping allows you to read reviews, compare products, and find great deals, especially during peak season when stores have long queues. Many online shops have good return policies. You can return the products within a reasonable amount of time and may receive a full refund. But that is not all.
Online makeup brands have started using artificial intelligence to take care of your online shopping worries. A technology called Selfie AI where you upload your selfie in their machine and the AI analyses your skin type, skin tone, undertone followed by some quiz to gather knowledge about your skin.
Once they have enough data, they recommend the exact product that your skin would need to look healthy and beautiful.
Although this works for most of the online shoppers,but in case you still, once in a hundred, found that the product was not right for you, you always get a refund. In fact, like Shephora, they also provide a sample for you to test on your skin and then decide.
Online Shopping Has Many Advantages
Online shopping is something that has been available to consumers since the mid-1990s. However, its mainstream usage has skyrocketed post pandemic when ecommerce quiz became popular. The ease of accessing extensive online research and reading reviews encouraged buyers to feel confident. Its open 24/7. There are many disadvantages to online shopping online too, including people complaining on Amazon for not receiving genuine products, or of being not able to try on physically etc.
1. Availability, Delivery And Pickup
You can’t see everything on the shelves and the stock of the brand may get over in the store. But you can fill your cart online from the comfort of home even though you overshop which can become an inconvenience in the stores. Additionally, you can clip coupons online and save regular items to your smartphone.
2. No Sales Pressure
While sales reps can offer valuable knowledge and expertise, it can be nerve-wracking for customers to shop in person. Some shoppers prefer to shop online to relieve the pressure and take their time.
3. Review And Research Product Reviews
You can compare and research products online before making a purchase, especially for large quantities. Blogs and other articles online from trustworthy, impartial sources can help you take the stress out of shopping by comparing products, reviewing the pros and cons of various brands, and comparing pricing. Reviews from customers are a great way to find a product that suits your needs.
4. There Are Many Options
Online shopping is more flexible than brick-and-mortar shops, which must contend with limited shelf space and retail agreements. You have many choices, including whether you want your product from local or international sellers.
Disadvantages of Online shopping
Despite all the advantages of shopping online, in-store shopping still holds a significant place for a lot of reasons. There are some things, although very limited, that only an in-person experience can offer.
1. Test and try Products
You can test out the cosmetics fragrance to ensure they are right for you in case you are not familiar with the fragrance mentioned on the label.
2. Promotions in-Store
In-store promotions are a new thing after the online shopping craze has massively increased. The aim is to increase walkins in the brick-and-mortar store and to build brand awareness. In-store promotions are designed to attract customers who have become accustomed to online shopping. It is good to check offers at these stores once in a while.
3. Instant Gratification
You don’t have to wait for the item to arrive when you shop in-store. You can get what you want immediately.
Both shopping methods have their pros and cons. You, the customer, have the power to make the right decision and find the best way to fulfil your makeup needs.
Author bio:
Avinash is Content Marketer at Tangent AI, the only Zero Part Data platform for the beauty industry. We help beauty businesses acquire shoppers and engage them with personalised CRM and product recommendations.