First and foremost, it's been years since I've written a bad review. This is the worst experience I've ever had purchasing makeup from a loqal boutique.
I went to this store based on a recommendation from a friend. She had a good experience. I owner was friendly but a bit pushy when it came to selling up products. That's not my issue. I feel in love with a product (a Jeffre Star liquid lipstick), so I researched his website with the intent of purchasing additional lipsticks at the Sacramento Makeup Design Studio. I noticed that the price of his lipsticks were only $18.00 online with a 5.95 flat shipping rate; the Sacramento Makeup Design Studio charged me 30.00 I sent the owner the following text:
"I really love the makeup that I bought at your store. I try to support local business and try to spend my money locally whenever possible. I love the lJeffre Star lipstick so much that I checked out his website to research other colors. I was really surprised to discover that his lipsticks cost $18 when I was charged $30 at your store. I don't mind paying a coupe or few dollars extra to keep money in our community, but a $12 markup on an $18 product seems a bit much. I am not sending text because I'm mad or want a refund or money back. I just want to see small business succeed. Best of luck and thank you introducing to some awesome products "
And she replied with a picture of a lipstick plus the shipping cost and two texts that read "We charge 4.70 more than his website. Let's not forget shipping and tax" and "You are welcome to buy anywhere you choose". This triggered me to reach out to Jeffree Star. I had two reps explain that Beautylish and Morphe are the only authorized US vendors of Jeffre Star Products, " There has been an increase in imitation Jeffree Star Products in the marketplace, and we have no connection to these products and are unable to verify what is in them or if they are safe. We love you all so please pay close attention to the product you are buying.", "If you come across any store or seller NOT on this list, please feel free to contact our customer service team, where we are able to help you confirm if a item is a true Jeffree Star Cosmetic product", and "Who did you purchase the product from? These are our only licensed retailers!
US // MORPHE: https://www.morphebrushes.com/collections/jeffree-star-cosmetics
US // BEAUTYLISH: http://www.beautylish.com/b/jeffree-star?gclid=CNHlsNzkrMwCFU1rfgod9P4E6g"
It's very scary to know that this store is not an authorized retailer and that the product may not be safe. The short of it is: I'm out 30.00+tax with a lipstick that may be a fake, unsafe, and not from an authorized dealer.
I also had an issue with another product. About a week after my purchase, I tried the Besame 1938 - Crimson Cream Rouge that I purchased, and it was rancid. It smelled like olive oil gone bad. By this time, I had already received the nasty texts from the owner and received the email responses from the Jeffre Star reps, so I contacted Besame Cosmetics directly. They are in the process of making a new batch of the rouge that will not be available until November. In other words, the Sacramento Makeup Design Studio sold me old product. The Besame rep was wonderful. She offered to replace the product when the new batch is available in November. She just asked that I send the rouge that I purchased to them for inspection (and I did). The short of it: is I paid 24.95+tax for a rancid product (that normally costs 22.00), and then almost 5.00 in shipping for a product that will not be replaced until November.
On 9/22/2016 Dana at Jeffree Star Cosmetics sent me the following in an email in response to my Masochist purchase at Sacramento Makeup Design Studio - Workshop: "Hey! Thank you for informing our team! There has been an increase in imitation Jeffree Star Products in the marketplace, and we have no connection to these products and are unable to verify what is in them or if they are safe. We love you all so please pay close attention to the product you are buying. You can always buy our product on jeffreestarcosmetics.com."
On 9/28/2016 Dana at Jeffree Star Cosmetic - Sent me the following in an email in regards to my purchase at Sacramento Makeup Design Studio - Workshop:
"Hey Angelique! Without a picture of the lipstick I am unable to verify whether the product is real or not. We are 100% not affiliated with this company. Our team is looking into the issue but the lipstick is most likely imitation. I suggest only ordering from the retailers listed on our site to ensure authenticity and safety. I'm sorry for the inconvenience but we are doing the best we can to stop unlicensed retailers. I appreciate you taking the time to inform our company!" I've sent pictures to Jeffree Star to verify the authenticity.
10/7/2016 from JS rep Dana, " We are 100% not affiliated with this company." read more