Identifying fake MAC Pigments ***Guide with photos***

[Xqueeze_me]

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmedimsure I bought a pigment on ebay over a year ago and have been using it with no problems. I didnt know there were fakes out there. I am having trouble figuring out if it's a fake or authentic. I can't find the box, so I have to go by the jar, but I'm confused. I hope you guys can help...I'm basing these assumptions on the pics and descriptions on the first post... I could really use your help guys. By the way, the color is very concentrated and vivid, that's why I never suspected anything, until now. Thanks!

Hey and welcome to Specktra, charmedimsure!

Just wondering if you could take some pictures of the jar for us to have a look?:
- Colour label on bottom of the jar
- Jar itself (that shows the thickness of the base)
- Possibly the plastic cover lid with the insignia numbers and colt-ainer III on it

Based on the bullet points assumption, is your Gold Dusk as described? Would you be able to recall the position of the colour name label on top of the box?

 

[charmedimsure]

Well I found the box (finally, I knew I had it!). The batch code on the jar and bar code match. The bar code is a sticker. All the printing looks uniform and consistent. The sticker on the top of the box is perfect. I also noticed on your pics that the the box for the fakes is a little off from the color of the sticker. It seems that the sticker is a darker shade of black than the box, and the legit one matches exactly. Mine matches.The Box is most def authentic. But could they have put a fake in a real box?? I tried to take some pics of the jar but I'm having trouble getting my camera to focus on the letters, it comes out all blurry. I'll keep trying.

 

[Xqueeze_me]

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmedimsure Well I found the box (finally, I knew I had it!). The batch code on the jar and bar code match. The bar code is a sticker. All the printing looks uniform and consistent. The sticker on the top of the box is perfect. I also noticed on your pics that the the box for the fakes is a little off from the color of the sticker. It seems that the sticker is a darker shade of black than the box, and the legit one matches exactly. Mine matches.The Box is most def authentic. But could they have put a fake in a real box?? I tried to take some pics of the jar but I'm having trouble getting my camera to focus on the letters, it comes out all blurry. I'll keep trying.

The pigment box in question sounds ok to me due to the similar comparisons you made. As for the pigment jar itself, if the comparison is similar to the authentic jars here, then it should be alright. Plus the batch code on the colour label on the bottom of the jar matches the batch code on the sticker barcode so that should be ok. Try comparing the thickness of the base of the jar here (Counterfeit on the left and Authentic on the right). Counterfeit jars have thicker bases as you can see in the picture.

It is possible that they can put a fake in a real box but I don't think the fakers will go through that much trouble unless the seller is desperate to get rid of it.

As for the positions of the "book", "e" and recycle logo, it varies between mattes and non-mattes.

 

[Xqueeze_me]

Mattes (2003)

Non-Mattes (2004 - 2006)

From 2003 - 2005, the MAC Pigments are all Made in Canada (according to the boxes):
From the pictures Mattes and Non-Mattes - Primary Yellow, Pure White, Ruby Red, Fairylite and Golden Olive.

In 2006, the MAC Pigments are all Made in USA (according to the boxes):
From the picture Non-Mattes - Pink Opal and Provence.
Black Black is a Matte but it is 7.5g and the back of the jar layout is similar to the 2003 - 2005 Non-Mattes range.

As you can see, the Ruby Red, Fairylite and Golden Olive's description on the back of the jar are centred whereas the 2006 Pink Opal and Provence have a different layout, which may be due to the year and/or the country it was made in!

The MAC Pigments in the pictures are all purchased from the MAC Concept Store so its 100% guaranteed authentic!

I hope that helps, charmedimsure!

 

[dizzygal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xqueeze_me The pigment box in question sounds ok to me due to the similar comparisons you made. As for the pigment jar itself, if the comparison is similar to the authentic jars here, then it should be alright. Plus the batch code on the colour label on the bottom of the jar matches the batch code on the sticker barcode so that should be ok. Try comparing the thickness of the base of the jar here (Counterfeit on the left and Authentic on the right). Counterfeit jars have thicker bases as you can see in the picture. It is possible that they can put a fake in a real box but I don't think the fakers will go through that much trouble unless the seller is desperate to get rid of it. As for the positions of the "book", "e" and recycle logo, it varies between mattes and non-mattes.

Hi sometines labels can be a bit out ie the colour label on the carton can be nearer the centre than the right, also the UPC label can be missing very often an Ebay seller will remove a label to stop a shop return also a while back there were problems and MAC had quite a few jars with no batch code they were made aware of this and some of the batches were actually embossed on the label and not printed,The logos as Xqueeze_me has correctly put can vary between the pro and normal i have also posted this guide which may help along with Xqueeze_mes great pics
http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/Real-MAC-P...00000003010339

 

[charmedimsure]

Thank you guys so much. I guess it's real. I'm so glad. Wow, I got lucky. I was just worried that the writing in the back was centered, but I see in your pics some were made like that. I'm so happy I havent been putting rat poison (or anything else dangerous) on my eyelids. You guys have been immensely helpful!

 

[dmenchi]

Just like to add, that you have rights to get your money back if you use PAYPAL!!! And also call MAC to report criminals!!!
1.877.553.5536

 

[s_prev]

i have recently got somefakes from ebay, although the boxes and container are real, the pigment is not, the seller just filled the real container with a fake pigment and sold it. just wanted to let everyone know that this is another possible thing that sellers can do to get our money

 

[panda0410]

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_prev i have recently got somefakes from ebay, although the boxes and container are real, the pigment is not, the seller just filled the real container with a fake pigment and sold it. just wanted to let everyone know that this is another possible thing that sellers can do to get our money

name of seller please?

 

[eowyn797]

a question about authenticity regarding batch codes...

on PRO pigments (the one i have is the DC'd Red matte, not Basic Red) the batch number (A52) is printed on the plastic of the bottom of the jar, dot-matrix style, instead of on the label. is that normal?

 

[panda0410]

I dont know about that particular printing but some of the much older pigments DID have different labels etc. Some of the really old pigments for example had black stickers on the base of the jar instead of the silver or clear stickers seen now. Its possible that your sticker is still entirely authentic, MAC have just gotten better at universal labelling and coding in newer pigments.

 

[eowyn797]

here are some pictures comparing my Red to my True Chartreuse (purchased from MAC) so you can see what i mean. the code on Red is printed underneath the clear label, if that makes a difference....

 

[panda0410]

I see what you mean

I still think its probably authentic. I really just think that there are a lot of inconsistencies in authentic batch markings on lots of MAC pigments and glitters and I wouldnt worry too much about it, it looks fine

 

[Xqueeze_me]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eowyn797 here are some pictures comparing my Red to my True Chartreuse (purchased from MAC) so you can see what i mean. the code on Red is printed underneath the clear label, if that makes a difference....

I guess you'll be fine as long as the Red doesn't show ugly counterfeit attributes such as:

• Extra thick jar base - First thing that catches my eye if without box
• No raised letterings on outside bottom of jar, inside base of jar and inner plastic lid
• Sweet talcum powder smell - Strong smell for non-Mattes (Fake Dark Soul and Golden Olive) and faint for Matte (Fake Pink Vivid)

Hope that helps!!

 

[eowyn797]

the thickness of the jars is exactly the same - it seems to have all the right raised lettering/numbering as well. thank you so much! i think i'm good on this one

yay!

 

[red]

Sorry if this question has already been addressed

I have 3 piggies which I recently puchased at The Company Store (God Bless this store) and all 3 have stickers with the bar codes instead of the bar code being printed directly on the box. Can someone enlighten me.

Thanks

 

[Xqueeze_me]

Quote:

Originally Posted by red Sorry if this question has already been addressed I have 3 piggies which I recently puchased at The Company Store (God Bless this store) and all 3 have stickers with the bar codes instead of the bar code being printed directly on the box. Can someone enlighten me. Thanks

Sticker barcodes are a good sign. Barcodes printed on are definitely fakes.

 

[panda0410]

Agreed with xqueeze_me - barcodes should NEVER be printed on boxes, if it is then its a fake!

 

[melmaha]

Hello!

Can anyone help me determine whether an Aire-De-Blu pigment that I bought on eBay is a fake or not?

I have read this guide and everything seems ok, except the leaflet I got was very small and it only said MAC pigment (with MAC logo), then it had a gap, then it said:
Pigment Colour Powder
Poudre Eclat De Couleur
Polvere Colorata
Farbpuder
Polvos Con Pigmentos

Caution: Not for use in lip area
Attention: Ne Pas Appliquer Sur Les Levres
Attenzione: Non Usare Sulle Labbra E Nella Zona Circostante
Vorsicht: Nicht Fur Die Lippen Verwenden
Atencion: No Utilizar En La Zona De Los Labios
Atencao: Nao Devera Ser Usado Na Zona Dos Labios

Dist. By/Par: Make-up Art Cosmetics
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 1R7, London W1K 3BQ.
Made in USA/Fabrique Aux E.-U. / M639
Maccosmetics.com

NB: This is all in capitals with appropriate accents on the letters. The leaflet contains the recycling symbol but not the book symbol.

In terms of the actual pigment, it has a sticker on the base of the jar that says Aire-De-Blu B96, printed on a metallic silver sticker and written in black font the same as the font on the top of the box (which looks authentic according to this guide).

The jar has written on the back:
Pigment Colour Powder
Poudre Eclat De Couleur
Polvere Colorata
Farbpuder
Polvos Con Pigmentos

Net Wt./Poids Net 7.5g/.26 US OZ (has a funny e symbol here)

Dist. By/Par.Make-Up Art Cosmetics
Toronto, London W1K 3BQ./M540
Made in U.S.A./Fabrique Aux E.-U
Maccosmetics.com

NB: This is also all in capitals. The book and recycling symbol appear on the jar. Text is left-aligned.

The barcode on the bottom of the box is a sticker, it reads:
M63905 7 73602 11878 6

Sorry for not being able to produce photos, I don't have a camera. Also, I am coming here first because I know this pigment was only available from the Danse collection, so I don't know if a MAC counter will be able to compare if I go there.

Thanks in advance, I really value your input

 

[panda0410]

it will be hard to tell without a pic - aire-de-blu is one of the new fake colours that is especially difficult to tell, even for experienced mac users and this is because batch codes are close, packaging is almost identical AND these new fakes are now coming with sticker barcodes that match authentic codes. These new fakes are so good that some of these colours were only identified as fakes when they were directly compared to mac shelf stock!!!! if you post a pic we will be better able to help!