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For those who go shopping for make-up the old-fashioned way, buying it online might seem like a ridiculous concept. However, shopping online opens you up to the opportunity for accessing more brands, more products and better value. But when you take to the web for your beauty fix, there are a few important factors to keep in mind.

First and foremost, buy products from a reputable source. There are many websites offering palettes and make-up for far less than their RRP, and there is usually a reason for this. Buy cheap, buy twice – the production of counterfeit make-up is rife.

Watch out for hidden costs such as VAT if it’s a salon supply website, for import duty if you’re buying from outside the EU and for shipping costs, which can sometimes offset the savings made by buying online. Monaghan-based company Cloud10Beauty.com offers competitive prices across a huge range of brands and fast, free shipping for purchases of more than €15.

And finally, ask Google. There is a proliferation of fantastic beauty bloggers across the internet, so anything you want to buy has been tried and reviewed by someone somewhere. This is a great way to get real feedback on a product and a feel for the colours and pigments on the skin.