Shu Uemura is known to make the best eyelash curler on the face of the earth (at least I think so – look for a review on it shortly!). However, as with most great items (MAC included), it isn’t long before someone figures out how to make a complete fake and try to pawn it off on unsuspecting consumers as the real thing. I happened to buy one on eBay myself recently before finding out there are a lot of frauds going around. So, I bought one from Shu Uemura directly and thought I’d help others learn how to spot the fake!
First off, you notice that the two eyelash curlers look very similar, right?
Upon closer inspection, the differences become crystal clear!
You may need to enlarge the below photos to see the differences here. On the fake Shu Uemura (top) there is a ‘W’ stamped right next to the name across the bridge. However, on the real Shu Uemura (bottom), there is a small cursive ‘s’ stamped next to the name.
The difference is even noticeable in the eyelash curler’s replacement pads. On the fake (top), you see a plain pad with no imprint. On the real Shu Uemura (bottom), the name of the company is stamped into the pad.
Now, if you examine the packaging, the differences are also very clear.
And a closer look at the text at the bottom of the package:
The wording on the top of the package is also slightly different. Notice how the real Shu Uemura packaging does not use their name in front of ‘eyelash curler’ like the fake one does. Also note on the real package, the subtext in French.
Finally, when you look at the back of the packaging, the fake Shu Uemura is written completely in Japanese and does not have any images or directions for use. The real Shu Uemura has images on how to use the eyelash curler and it also has a paragraph with ‘features’ where it mentions being the preferred eyelash curler for makeup artists and celebrities worldwide. On the fake, the ‘Features’ and ‘Directions for Use’ are instead on one of the side panels, but there are no images on how to use it.
Hopefully this will help you in being able to spot the real Shu Uemura from the fake one and save a lot of time, money and frustration. As with MAC products, there are some real ones on eBay, but they are few and far between. Just be smart, do your research and you will be a happy beauty shopper! 🙂
Emily
This is a great post!! I’m going to Bangkok and would hate to bring home a fake as they are $42 in AUS!!! Do you have any tips on beauty products to shop for??
macshadowcombos
Hi Emily!
Yes, I agree! Just be careful to thoroughly examine the packaging before buying. 🙂
For Bangkok, I have heard that Boots Pharmacy is the place to go for cosmetics. They are a UK chain and have high end cosmetics available; they won’t be brands you recognize more than likely, but they are high quality at an affordable price point and you might end up finding some you really like. There is also a store over there called the Beauty Buffet that is supposed to be really good.
Hope this helps and have a wonderful time!! 🙂 Feel free to share your findings when you return! 🙂
Sarah
Can you tell me a trusted source online I can purchase the real Shu Uemura eyelash curler? That’s selling for lower than $19?
macshadowcombos
Hi Sarah!
Unfortunately, there isn’t one. 🙁 I purchased mine from Shu Uemura directly and you can also purchase it from Sephora.
Sorry I couldn’t help more!
Anthony
hi Sarah, I know your post was 2011 but I just found this out myself,
I purchased the eyelash curler directly from their site and if you put the promotional code (SHUSKIN) without the parentheses, you will get 15% off with free shipping and a free sample product.
Mia
Hi there,
I was on trademe and was about to purchase this Shu Uemura eyelash curler- http://m.trademe.co.nz/Listing/Description?&lid=402845298&s=F69281A2577149969801E72717DD9E5C however I hesitated when I read this comment- Q: hi there. Just letting you know that you shouldnt be selling fake products on trademe. People can tell its a fake by the words on the packaging in your photo. http://macshadowcombos.com/2011/06/24/how-to-spot-a-fake-shu-uemura-eyelash-curler. Following that this was said- hi there, my apologies I have just been corrected. Thanks. I’m confused if this is the authentic Shu Uemura eyelash curler. Are you able to help me out as there isn’t a Shu Uemura cosmetic counter where I live and can’t buy directly…. And I would love to see what my lashes can achieve with this curler! Cheers
macshadowcombos
Hi!
Thanks for asking!
I checked the link you provided and no, that is not an authentic Shu Uemura. It’s hard to find an authentic one online. I’m not sure the reasoning behind the comments, but I’m glad you found this post before being taken! 🙂
Have you tried checking Myers or DJ’s? I’m not sure if they’d have it in stock, but it’s worth a shot.
The only other recommendation I could offer is to sign up on MakeupAlley.com and see if you can find someone who will ship one to you in trade for something you might be able to offer.
I looked for a Shu Uemura and there are TONS listed.
Please see my post on swapping here for more info: http://macshadowcombos.com/2011/06/03/do-you-swap/
Sorry I couldn’t be of more help! 🙁
synical
Great post and thanks – was wondering why there were so many on sale so cheaply on eBay 😛
But then again I’m not sure why anyone would pay so much for an eyelash curler either, but that’s just me.
macshadowcombos
🙂 I said the same thing before I tried it – a WORLD of difference compared to the drugstore kinds!
Louise
wow, this is very helpful. I bought mine on ebay for a really cheap price so it was kinda obvious that it was fake. First time user of an eyelash curler so even if it’s fake I think that’s fine, as long as it’s not worse than the no brand eye-lash curlers. Will buy a real one when I start using an eyelash curler more often and become an expert 😉 thanks for this!
Alice
Hi!! Could you help me? I bought an eyelash curler from cosme-de for $19, the thing is that I received it and the box, pads, curler is exaclty as you said original should be, however it has a “W” letter instead of an “s”… It could be a very well done fake? LOL Thnak’s in advance
macshadowcombos
Hi Alice,
I will have to go back and change that portion of the blog post as I recently learned from one of my Australia readers that the stamped letters are part of their production codes and don’t necessarily mean they are fakes. Unfortunately, that’s not one of the ways to spot them, so I will change that. Thanks for bringing it to my attention! 🙂
Alice
Thank’s for answering! By the way I bought one a year ago and it has a bold W, not cursive as the new one from cosme and yours and I’m almost sure it is a fake so maybe that another way to spot a fake, if it’s a cursive letter. 🙂
Alethea Silvestre
Hi Alice. I also received a package today from Cosme De with exactly the same description as yours. Everything matches the real one, except for a cursive letter W. I wasn’t too impressed with the performance, compared to a drugstore one I had before – I googled on the subject and I came across this excelent post. Since I’ve never owned a Shu Uemura before, I am feeling a little clueless. Please keep us posted if you find out anything else! Thanks a lot.
Paulla
I just received my order of the curler from Us Salon Supply and they sent me the fake eyelasher curler which I paid $18.75 for. Do not order from this site.
Vatt
Hi there, I bought a Shu Uemura curler directly from the store in KLCC, KL, Malaysia and mine has a “Y” imprinted on the cureler.. is it a fake?
Zabrena
I can’t really say – I’ve heard those little letters are production codes.
It’d be best to compare your Shu Uemura to all the other qualities mentioned in the post for the best way to tell.
Sorry I couldn’t be of more help!
Corry
Hi,
I have just received my Shu Uemura eyelash curlers and am concerned they may be fake. They are exactly as you describe the genuine ones in this post but mine have a “z” after the logo? Anyone else have other letters on theirs? I really wish I’d got mine directly from Shu Uemura, then at least I’d know for sure, argh….
Cheers,
Corry
Zabrena
Hi Corry!
Thanks for asking! I’ve learned since doing this post that those little letters are production codes and so they may be different. As long as all the other characteristics in the post add up, and you notice it’s a tight squeeze against the lashes (and a LONG lasting curl!), you should be A-O-K!
Janine
Thank you !! I just bought a fake on ebay 🙁
Rai
Hi, I just came across this article as I want to buy the Shu Uemura eyelash curlers. Do you reckon this is genuine? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110976924838?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619
The seller assured me it is and the packaging in the image looks similar to your images for the real product.
My Eyeshadow Consultant
Hi Rai!
I can’t be certain as the packaging is not 100% visible – I can’t tell because the print on the front is pretty washed out.
If you do buy it, please feel free to come back and check it against this post. Thankfully, you are covered by PayPal and eBay in case it turns out to be a fraudulent one. If it is you’d need to report it to eBay to get your money back, but at least you will have that as piece of mind if it isn’t real! 🙂
Franchesca Anne M. Yupano
So helpful, thank you! 🙂
TSOH
My ones don’t have any stamps, have the genuine ones always had the stamp? I got mine years ago so wondering if it’s an old version or maybe a fake.
My Eyeshadow Consultant
I couldn’t really say 100% without looking at it, my apologies.
If the handle is loose, it may be a fake, but if you have a great amount of tension, it’s more than likely the real thing.
Check the other areas I compared this one to the fake for a better idea, that might help. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help!
TSOH
I’m sad to say that I believe it to be a fake (due to the loose handles) and the fact that it doesn’t have ANY stamp that it must be an extremely terrible fake! Thank you for your help 🙂
Joelle
Thanks so much for doing this! My curler and pads are identical in product and packaging to everything you have posted except for the letter. I have a letter “F” on the left side when you are looking at the curler. Every single thing you have mentioned is true other than that. It seems the whole letter thing is confusing. It curls my lashes well. Do you or anyone else think I have a fake?
My Eyeshadow Consultant
Hi Joelle!
I agree with you; someone mentioned to me once that the letters just indicate different manufacturing codes so I don’t believe that’s a real true indicator on the real ones. The fake ones always use the same letter though which makes them stand out like a sore thumb. So I think you are safe and do have a real one! 🙂 Thanks for asking!
Sharon
Hello!
Thank you for this post.
I found out my old one is actually fake and my new one appears to be genuine, except for the letter. Mine has a small k on the left. But I guess it’s true it has to do with manufacturing codes. Rest of it (pad, handle, box etc) seems like the real thing.
Too bad I don’t remember which eBayer I bought my old one from, so I could make sure people know he/she sells counterfeits..
Diana L
Hi, my so called shu uemura lash curler has everything that proves it to be genuine except for the sign it has next to the name on the actual product. Mine has a J on the left instead. What the eff?? Is it a fake then?? 🙁
Zabrena
I don’t think so, if everything else checks out.
I found out after doing those post the little letters are production codes, so that isn’t a clear, definitive way to tell the fakes from the authentics.
You should be good! 😉
Kate
Hi ladies,
Thought I’d tell you about one that I bought, I got it on strawberrynet for $30 (free delivery) and got it today, it’s definitely the real deal. It has all the qualities of the “real one” on your article.
Zabrena
Thanks for adding that, Kate! 😉
michelle
Hi,
Your post is very helpful and thank you for taking the time to write this blog up to warn us, naive buyers!
I just wanted to ask you if you think this is the real one? I you don’t mind me asking!
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Shu-Uemura-Eyelash-Curler-One-Silicone-Refill-Pad-/370869348930?pt=AU_Makeup&hash=item5659892a42&_uhb=1
Thank you!
Zabrena
Hi Michelle!
I checked out the link you provided and it does appear to be an authentic one based on what I see on the box, the stamp on the silicone pad and the front leg of the eyelash curler. You’ll notice the front leg doesn’t come up as far as the fake I compared the real one to in this post. So I believe it to be a real one. Good for you! Thanks for taking the time to ask and for visiting the site! 😉
Jessica Love
This is a very useful post, Thank you
Frederica DiLaurentis
Hey guys,
I bought a Shu Umuera eyelash curler from cosme-de.com After I did this I found out about all the fake ones online and was really worried.
Well, I got the curler today and having checked all the points you mention, I think it is a real Shu U. curler. The printing on the packaging is right, the angle and the silicone pad-imprint are as you discribed them etc. However, there is no letter next to the writing on the curler at all (neither S nor W) I looked online and found a post on youtube where a real curler does not have a letter either.
Can you help me with that? The curler works beautifully, but I’m kind of worried.
There is a caveat with cosme-de.com They didn’t put the correct information on the packaging, so I had to pick it up from customs which of course was super-annoying and time-consuming! Btw I also ordered a mask by Clinique and a Nars lip gloss, which were the real deal 🙂
michele perez
I just purchased one on Amazon from Tachyon using my husband’s Prime acct. It arrived in two days, has every marking of the real curler and I did not pay a fortune (under $20). I think it works better than my cheapo ones because it gets all my lashes at once and doesn’t crimp them but it’s not as super as I expected, lol.
Mei
Thank you so much for this detailed and helpful post! :)You just saved me from buying a fake.
NailApparel
Hi there!
I’m so happy to have found your blog ..I actually followed a link from a YouTube review on these curlers. I love eBay ..as long as you research before you buy something that you think is genuine. So, I ended up finding the 24k gold limited edition SHU for about $25. Still-it’s the most I’ve EVER paid for an eyelash curler LOL I can’t wait to get it ..especially knowing how to spot fakes.. more importantly genuine products.
Thanks again for your invaluable review and warnings 🙂 Cheers from Canada
Diane Lopez
Fake are still in the same packaging. But there is no “w” anymore.
dear abi
i know this post is old, but i’m afraid i’ve fallen victim to the fake she uemura. it has everything an authentic one should have, EXCEPT there’s a “q” to the left of the “she uemura” logo on the top of the curler. do you know if that’s fake or not?
Karolina
Thanks so much! I just bought a Shu from strawberrynet and I was worried it was a fake – well, if i’ts fake, it certainly is a good one – everything is correct, except the S in cursive. My curler doesn’t have it. Instead there’s a T on the left side… What does it mean? Is that the originql or not?
Sha
Hi, I bought mine from barefection here in UK. They mainly only sell products from Japan, Korea etc. The shop confirmed the product was original. It has all the things you’ve listed here EXCEPT the stamp next to it. There is no stamp at all – not W nor S, just plain. What does this mean? Is it fake or not?
marie
I was trying to google what makes a shu uemura curler so much more desirable over other curlers and apparently, its the name only. I have a dinky walgreens curler that i bought for five bucks and it works just fine. I can’t find anything that can justify spending over $10 on a little piece of aluminum:\
Zabrena
I understand your position; however allow me to please clarify what makes the Shu Uemura so different. The Shu has much better gripping ability and more torque compared to other versions, which makes it curl lashes instantly with the first press. (Instead of pressing over and over again with other curlers.) It saves time and the curl lasts much longer than with traditional curlers. 🙂
Avigayil Simpson
VERY helpful! I just placed an order on eBay for one after reading your review and how to spot a fake so I felt like I knew what I was doing and judging by the pics of the product anyway, hopefully I’m getting the real deal. Thanks.
Anne
Freaking out i just bought a Shu from strawberrynet and everything is the same except it doesn’t have any letter stamped to the shu uemera name?? Does that mean it is fake? I emailed strawberrynet prior to purchasing and they send they’re products are 100% genuine.. but still worries I bought 3 to give to my friends and it wasnt too cheap either
Sisy
Been trying to justify buying eyelash curler for such a price, now that my old go-to-non-shuuemura curler has worn out and cause eyelash breaking (oh no!) I finally did get it. Its equal to 19 USD, all points checked out except it has letter ‘o’ on the left side. The seller sells everything authentic tho. Cross my finger its the real thing. Just thought to share 😉
Pamela
I recently (June 2016) bought the Shu Uemura curler from Shu Uemura store in Japan so I know it is 100% authentic. However, I noticed that they have changed the quality of the paper box….the paper box feels lighter and it is more matte feel, vs the old box with a glossy look. Also, there is no more little letter (production code) on the curler. I am reading the comments here and some buyers also expressed that they don’t see the little letter on the curler anymore. I have a feeling that Shu Uemura has changed the quality and the packaging for the curlers. It can be so confusing because many buyers assume that the curler without the little letter is a fake one.
Anna
just as a PSA – i got mine off of Strawberry net and its got all the qualities of the real one that you’ve stated in this post and it works amazingly so I’m guessing it is in fact real.
I also got it for way cheaper on there than you would get it from other retailers so its a win-win!
Jo
I just purchased online from a site called YesStyle.com. It was on sale for $11 so I was skeptical but decided to give it a shot. As soon as I got it today I googled to see if was fake. However, everything checks out according to your tips so I guess I got a great deal! (The only thing is it doesn’t have a letter next to the name on the curler but looks like that’s not a factor.)