Fragrance, beauty and personal care

Yes, in women's fragrances and unisex fragrances, for collection in Brentwood or shipping where the listing allows.

In our men's fragrances category — returns and overstock, each graded and photographed.

Check the box and bottle against the brand's own, look for a batch code printed on both, and judge the seller by the photos of the actual item.

Usually the same scent, often in plainer packaging and sometimes without a cap. Check the listing's title and photos to see whether it is a tester.

Fragrance can change slowly with age, heat and light. Check the listing's notes and photos, and store it cool and out of sunlight.

Only if its listing is marked for shipping; some fragrances are collection only.

Photograph it and report it from your orders page within 7 days of delivery.

Yes, in health and beauty: skincare, hair care, makeup and personal care, mostly overstock and returns.

Use only sealed, in-date products on your face and eyes, and check the seal and any expiry or batch date in the photos before buying.

That it is sealed, within its use-by date, and stored properly. See skincare, moisturizers and anti-aging.

Only within its expiry date. Check the date in the photos or ask us before buying sunscreen.

Yes, in foundation and concealer. Shade names are in the listing; buy sealed products only for face use.

Yes, in hair color and hair-loss treatments. Check boxes are sealed and in date before use.

Usually, when sealed and in date: personal-care overstock is often simply surplus stock. See shampoos and conditioners.

Yes, in gel nail polish. Check the bottle is sealed and the colour name matches what you want.

Yes, in clippers and trimmers. Clean and disinfect blades before use, and check the charger is included.

No: final sale applies, and a product that matched its listing cannot be returned once opened.

Check the grade: new ones are sealed; anything opened is graded below New. Always fit a new brush head. See electric toothbrushes.

Yes, in toothbrush replacement heads. Buy sealed packs and check they fit your handle's model.

Yes, in toothpaste and dental floss — sealed overstock, with dates visible in the photos where printed.

Yes, in incontinence aids, as sealed packs. Check the size and count in the listing.

Photos can show the packaging, the condition and details close up, so you can see seals, sizes and dates — what matters most for products you put on your body.

No. The FDA says no US law or regulation requires cosmetics to have specific shelf lives, so many carry no date at all.

Not long: the FDA says makers usually recommend throwing mascara away two to four months after purchase. Eye-area products generally keep for less time than others.

Changes in colour, texture or smell, oil and water separating, or a product drying out, hardening or cracking are all signs to throw it away, the FDA says.

No — the FDA says to throw dried-out mascara away and never add water, or worse saliva, to moisten it.

It is the period-after-opening symbol: how many months a cosmetic can be used safely once opened. "12M" means 12 months.

Strength. Eau de parfum usually holds about 15–20% fragrance oils, eau de toilette about 5–15% and eau de cologne 2–3%; pure parfum is stronger still. Houses vary.

Top notes are the light scents you smell first, like citrus or mint; middle or heart notes form the main body as they fade; base notes such as amber or musk come through after about 30 minutes.

Several years, if it is well stored. Heat, light and the air in the bottle slowly change the scent, so keep it closed and in its box.

You can — about 3–7 °C (37–45 °F) is suggested. A spray bottle also lets in less air than a roller or an open bottle.

Sun protection factor: how well the sunscreen protects against sunburn, which mostly means UVB rays. It is not a multiplier for how long you can stay in the sun.

It protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Not every sunscreen does, so check the label.

No. A sunscreen can be labelled water resistant for 40 or 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, but none is waterproof — reapply at least every two hours.

Treat it as expired three years after purchase, the FDA says; if you do not know how old it is, throw it away.

Yes. The FDA says to do a patch test on your skin every time before you dye your hair.

No. The FDA warns against dyeing eyebrows or eyelashes: it can hurt your eyes and may even cause blindness.

Every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed, the American Dental Association says.

Both can clean your teeth thoroughly, the American Dental Association says — the choice comes down to which you prefer.

No. The FDA does not approve supplements or their labels before they are sold; the maker is responsible for their safety and labelling.

The FDA advises against sharing makeup and against testing products with applicators other people have used.

An oscillating brush has a small round head that rapidly turns back and forth; a sonic brush vibrates a larger head about 200 to 400 times a second and relies on a sweeping motion.

About two to three weeks, and it chips less often than regular polish. It is hardened under ultraviolet light rather than drying in the air.

Some types do not dissolve in acetone and are usually removed at a salon by buffing and filing, so check the product's instructions before you start.

It can. The FDA advises storing cosmetics away from heat — not in a hot car, for example.

A little: a 2014 Cochrane review found they cut plaque by 21% and gum inflammation by 11% after three months, and oscillating-rotating heads were the only type to beat manual brushes consistently.

The EU classed TPO, an ingredient that speeds curing, as possibly cancer-causing, mutation-causing or harmful to reproduction, and banned it from cosmetics from 1 September 2025.

They can if applied badly: improper application of gel products can lead to fungal infections and allergic reactions.

The lightest strength of fragrance — 3% aromatic oils or less — sold as splashes and mists.