Mac Products - How to Know if It is a Fake! Photos!

This is an addition to my original guide on how to spot fake MAC eyeshadows - this discusses pigments and other items (update 1-28-08).
In my first review I discussed a little bit about me, (an okay seller and a brick and mortar storeowner), and how to determine if a MAC eyeshadow is a fake. ***Update - new info - 1-28-08****
I am still uncertain as to why someone would fake a pigment for a few dollars, but they do and here are some tips on finding them.
To be honest, many sellers are...honest. They don't always know that what they are selling is fake but some ways for you to avoid them:
1. Ask to see the bottom of the jar. Many sellers will photograph it now in their listings because of the rampant fakes. As with eyeshadows, MAC does not put an A and a number on the sticker on the bottom of the jar. There is always aNAME AND an A with a number. ***Make sure the stickersare the same name and number layout as one you buy from MAC - the fakes are getting better but it helps to watch your items closely. ***Remember if you buy MAC from MAC stores, website, or their authorized distributors, you don't have to worry about fakes, but you will pay full price. okay is where you can get a could deal with careful shopping.

This photo shows the fake name - Pink Venus which is an eyeshadow name - not a pigment. The other is an authentic Golden Lemon - notice how the A-number is etched into the sticker.
2. Look closely at the MAC logo. On the fake pigments the logo is thicker (sometimes now thinner)than on the authentic boxes and the boxes may feel waxier and they box itself falls apart easily. Also the bar code on the bottom should be a sticker - not embossed on the bottom of the box. On other products the bar code may be on the box as well as the name ***new information*** it may depend on where the item is made - for example the cremestick liners and the new dazzlegloss have the bar code and color name right on the box - no sticker - but the barcode is larger that the ones on pigments *****
3. Request photos - sometimes you can just tell.

This photo shows an actual bar code sticker on the right and fake sticker that is embosssed on the box on the left. **The second photo shows a bar code on the box like the cremestick pearl liner and dazzleglass - and the third shows the name on the box.***
4. Oh and remember glitters and shimmersouffle follow different rules so make sure you know what you are purchasing. **Update Glitters have a clear label with the name on it****
5. Be wary of items geing from overseas - many fake gee from sellers outside of the US and Canada. ***Update - Make sure to ask for color names - may list items without colors names but may say colors as pictured - MAC names all of their colors****
***New color information - make sure that it is an actual PIGMENT color - so of the latest fakes that I have gotten have eyeshadow color names on them.
6. Watch feedback - new sellers from other countriesor accounts that have not been used for some time usually are a warning signal
7. Update 12-01-07 - even sellers with good feedback can go bad, make sure your purchase is eligible for buyer protection from paypal.
If you do order one you will notice differences in the consistency of the pigment and the texture of the box. Remember to pay with paypal and be kind to the seller, in many cases, they may also not know they have been duped.
Hope this helps.