iHerb is a US based online store that ships to many many countries (for a fee, of course). I think it was originally started up to sell nutritional products and supplements, but they have since branched out to selling other types of stuff, like pet items, bath and beauty, kids and babies, groceries even!
I have heard that most of the people that I know that frequents iHerb is for their range of Real Techniques brushes, and E.L.F. Cosmetics, together with the affordable price. So since I have been wanting to get my hands on some E.L.F stuff, I decided to check it out.
Clicking on the E.L.F tab, I was blown away......like, for real????? eyeliners for only US$1.99 apiece, eyeshadow quads for US$3.00.....So I browsed and searched and got myself a nice little nest egg of items comprising of eyeliners, cream liners (yes, I'm a liner junkie), eyebrow stuff, and some brushes :D
Once I was satisfied, I decided to go over to Real Techniques for a fluke, not really intending to purchase anything....and there I go again...Core Collection for only US$18.00. After conversion, it's less than RM60. So much less than what other online stores are selling these products for. I've seen the Core Collection going for RM130 at some places, cheapest was also RM85.00. iHerb is selling for a third cheaper!!
So once I have finally satisfied myself after going through the stuff that they offered, I have finally decided to check out. I calculated the total and because I was a first time customer, US$10 rebate for my first purchase if I purchased above US$40. My total was US$58.99, and because I ordered more than US$40, I get an additional 10% discount!
So, US$58.99 less US$10, my sub total was US$48.99. Minus another 10% of US$4.90, I only have to pay US$44.09.
Now on to the next issue, which is shipping. As iHerb is based in US, International shipping applies to me. There are three types of shipping that you can choose from, the DHL Express International (US$10), International Airmal (US$4), and UPS International (US$24). All the differences are stated in the image below.
For me, I went with the DHL Express International. It comes with a tracking number, and your products will arrive in about 2-4 days. I have some friends who took International Airmail before without the tracking number, and their products arrived only three months later! So I decided the one with a tracking number is the best. It's a little bit more expensive, but for me, I don't mind paying a little more if I can ensure that my parcel arrives safely in a few days.
The next day, I got an email to tell me that my parcel has been shipped, and that the estimated arrival date for it will be in another three days. Yes, I was practically jumping up and down in excitement!!
So fast forward to when I receive my parcels....
Hurray day for me!!! As promised, it arrived on the day they said it would :D
The box was pretty light, and my first thought was that they forgot something. But then again, I remembered I didn't really purchase anything heavy :p Opening up the box, the products were in place thanks to big 'bubble wrap' :p Not really bubble wrap, but the air balloons are pretty impressive. And they were stamped with iHerb prints too :D
And what did I buy???
Real Technique brushes!!!!! I got the Core Collection (left) and the starter kit (right). Love the brush qualities, they're really amazing. And to think that both these babies cost me less than RM130. If I were to purchase at any other online store here, it would have costed RM130 for a box. I didn't get much more cos I have other brushes already, but who knows, if the mood strikes me I might come back :D
Next, E.L.F products!!! I have heard that E.L.F products are really good drugstore brands in the US, so I was pretty stoked to be able to start my collection with iHerb. Of course, I bought three eyeliners, one blush, their signature eyebrow treat and tame, and three brushes (the angled eyeliner brush, stippling brush, and fan brush) :D Looking forward to using all of these babies!
For all my purchases and in the time it took to reach me, I paid less than RM200 :D On average, that's about only RM20 per product! :D
From my personal experience, I think online shopping is something that you will need to venture very carefully in. First, you will need to find a reputable online seller that you know sells genuine products, and if you're buying stuff from overseas, do keep to your budget so you don't overspend. Lastly, if you are getting stuff from overseas, I would advise you to spend that little extra for delivery that offers tracking numbers so you can easily track where your packages are.
Once you have all that down pat, then your shopping experience will be that much more pleasant!
All in all, I would say my purchasing experience with iHerb has been uneventful thus far, and I would definitely purchase from them again :D
Website: www.iherb.com
Til the next time, stay beautiful!
xoxo,
yin
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