Often whilst scrolling through social media, I would come across SHEIN ads. It always looked pretty tempting but each time I would ignore the ads because I didn’t know if I’d actually receive my parcel or if it really was too good to be true. But as I saw more and more people purchasing from them and actually receiving their orders, I realized that it probably was reliable but I would only know if I actually tested it out myself. With skepticism rife in me, I decided to give it a try.

And since that first order, I placed over five more orders. 

Shipping:
Since all of my orders were pretty large, I didn’t have to pay shipping. Any order above R1050 will qualify for free shipping. Sometimes they have specials where any order above R600 will qualify for free shipping (it looks like these specials are on weekends).

My parcels generally came within a month of placing the order. My first order came in week 5 and my third order came 10 days later. So it really just depends on the logistics of it all. However, you do receive detailed tracking information throughout the process so you know exactly where your order is.

Also, when you place your order, they do give you an estimated date of delivery. If your order does not arrive by the estimated date of delivery, they usually inform you and sometimes they also give you extra points for the inconvenience. I would suggest waiting a week after the estimated date of delivery before notifying them of a late delivery.

Parcels either come with Buffalo Logistics or Aramex and are delivered through Fastway.

I noticed that it comes through Buffalo Logistics if you have to pay customs and with Aramex if you don’t have to pay customs (based on my experience. However, I don’t know if this is always the case).

Also, on the date of delivery, I usually received an SMS which notified me that my order was out for delivery.

Customs:
You will be notified of any customs that are due through SMS, email and an automated phone call. 

Customs are calculated in China before your items are shipped. 

Generally, I noticed that you pay between 10%-25% of customs on most orders (as an avid online shopper, the amount of customs aren’t too bad - especially considering the fact that I once paid 90% of the purchase price on a makeup order (Morphe) when using Aramex Global Shopper).

However, if your order consists mainly of accessories or non-clothing items, you may not even pay customs. It really is a hit or miss, I suppose.

Prior to 18 September 2021, SHEIN would actually refund you half of the customs you paid. Unfortunately, they no longer do this. Trust me, I’ve tried!

Each SHEIN item is neatly packed into a reusable ziplock bag. Surprisingly, these bags are great quality and can be used multiple times for multiple purposes.

Quality:
So although the products offered on the SHEIN website are cheap, the quality is pretty impressive (not taking their in-house high-end brands into consideration. Brands such as MOTF, which is under the SHEIN umbrella, is more expensive).

As a general rule of thumb, you should remember that you get what you pay for. However, a lot of the products are actually of a great quality. The fabrics used seem to be great, the sizing is good and the workmanship is good. 
Items such as jewelry and handbags may be a total miss though because it is extremely cheap and the quality isn’t great. Belts and hair accessories are actually decent and I have no complaints about the quality (after taking into consideration the prices I paid). 

Always always ALWAYS read the reviews before purchasing ANYTHING. The reviews give you an indication on the overall quality, the quality of the fabric, the workmanship and the sizing. 

All of the items I have ordered have been washed and ironed (if necessary) and all of the items are still in one piece and are still in perfect condition. 

Sizing:
Always look at the size guide, measurements and reviews of the item before selecting a size.

Most items are true to size but some of the items may be larger or smaller than expected.

Payment methods:
SHEIN accepts the following payment methods:

• Debit/credit card

• Apple Pay

• Paypal

Returns: 
I have never tried returning any of the items I purchased from SHEIN because I did not want to go through the admin and I don’t think it’s worth paying the shipping fee to ship the item back to SHEIN.

SHEIN brands:
(Please note that this is not an exhaustive list)

• SHEIN TALL - for taller women 

• SHEIN SXY - sexy clothing (modeled by people that have that Kim K bod)

• SHEIN BASICS - basic wear 

• SHEIN CURVE PLUS - for plus sizes

• SHEIN PETITE - for petite women 

• SHEIN men - for men

• SHEIN kids - for kids

• SHEIN basic living - bath, body and homeware

• SHEGLAM - SHEIN beauty 

• MOTF - premium brand

• DAZY - streetwear

• EMERY ROSE - boutique clothing 

• GLOWMODE - athleisure 

• PETSIN - for pets

• LUVLETTE - intimate wear

• CUCCOO - footwear

Tips:
• Always use the discount codes that are available.
• Try to include more accessories in your order so that customs are low/no customs.
• Always pay the shipping insurance. It’s only R16 and you will receive regular updates on the status of your order.
• Always look out for their deals. Sometimes their deals are AMAZING!
• Download the app and check in everyday so that you can accrue points. You can use these points when you’re placing orders. (Note: you need to go to your profile and click the check in button in order to receive points. Just going on to the app does not count as a check in).
• Sign up for SHEIN VIP for further discounts.
• Always read the reviews before making a purchase.
• Know your measurements and compare it to the measurements of the clothing item.
• Write your own reviews on your purchases as you will earn more points. Remember, these points can be used towards your next purchase. $1 = 1 point (remember that items on the website are displayed in Rands so the $1 depends on the exchange rate used. Every 100 points = $1 which will lessen your purchase price when placing an order.

So I’ve been MIA for the last few months. Life happens and suddenly, the year is almost over and I’m just getting older.

What happened to 2019? I swear, it felt as if I just blinked and majority of the year disappeared. Where does the time go?

Anyway, I believe I have good reason for going completely AWOL on my blog. You see, back in February I did one of the hardest, most rewarding things I have ever done. I gave birth to little baby girl. Up until today, I still question HOW mothers do it. Giving birth is painful and having a baby comes with its fair share of challenges - albeit rewarding. It sounds cliche, I know. But it is amazing and I wouldn’t change anything about it.

I took six months of maternity leave and I’ve been back at work for three months now. I’m still reeling over how fast time has flown!

I’m not one to share too much about my life but since I did disappear off the gram, I thought I’d share this little update with you.

Stay tuned, I have a bunch of giveaways in the pipeline and hopefully some great content to follow.

Lots of love

So if you read my fake Louboutin post (here), you'd probably know that I am completely against the purchasing of fake products. Apart from being a cheaper knock off, it's a complete lie. And wearing something that has been made on an unethical basis may make you look cute, but it won't increase your worth.

Only YOU can increase your worth. Shoes or makeup will NEVER increase your worth. It might just make you feel temporarily better but then it kind of makes it like a drug.

Anyway, let me stop rambling and jump into the top 11 reasons you should NEVER purchase fake products.

1. You're deceiving others

Sure, to the naked eye, your purchase may look like the real deal but in reality, you're just deceiving others. And no matter how you dress deceit up, it doesn't look cute on anyone.

2. The quality is terrible

You spend a good amount of hard earned cash on a cheaper knock off only to find out that it was a giant mistake. It's literally falling apart and it doesn't do what it's supposed to do. The material of the shoe/handbag is cheap and flimsy or the colour pay off of the makeup is a royal disaster. Don't waste your money on trash.

3. Ingredients/materials can be harmful

Countless fake makeup products include extremely dangerous ingredients in them. From harmful glue to lead... These are the very ingredients that should NEVER have contact with your face. It's dangerous. Poisonous chemicals applied to the face can seep into the skin and poison you. It's just not worth it, honey's.

The material used in counterfeit products can also be harmful. Imagine, some sort of acid is embedded within the material. You really don't want to (almost literally in the case of jeans) burn your butt off, right?

4. A lot of people can see that it's fake

Many a times, the quality of the knock off is SO bad that people can actually tell that it's fake. Again, this is just not a cute look.

5.  It's just not classy

No matter how you dress the fake product up, it just won't be able to portray the look of 'class'. Why? Because subconsciously, even YOU know that it's nothing but a knock off.

6. You will never feel satisfied by your purchase

You might receive that instant gratification when you just receive your fake product but give it a short time frame. Very soon, you'll realise that it was a colossal waste of money and the satisfaction and gratification you once felt will have long gone.

7. You generally can't return/exchange

Many times when you purchase fake products, the seller will downright refuse any sort of returns or exchanges. Basically, you'll be stuck with the product that you decided to purchase in your moment of weakness.

8. It's expensive

Some knock off's are pretty damn expensive for being a knock off. For a R10 000 product, you'll end up paying R2 000. That just doesn't seem to be a very clever idea now, does it? Save up if you're dying to buy the real thing or simply purchase a no name brand.

9. It's unfair to those that actually purchase the real deal

Imagine you own an original Louis Vuitton bag but all around you, people are walking around with fakes. Or imagine you owned all the Naked palettes and someone else owns all the fake Naked palettes. Or imagine if you drop your hard earned cash on the real deal and someone calls it a fake. Doesn't feel nice, does it? When you walk around with a knock off, it decreases the value of the actual product for the person who has purchased it and that's just not a nice feeling.

10. It's downright unethical

It's a copy, a replica, a fake. It's the same concept as writing an exam and having someone copy off of you. It's cheating. And what would be worse is if the person that copied off you gains great marks because of your idea.

Purchasing replicas result in the fuel needed to continue producing such products. And the continous manufacturing of these products just mean that the company is continually cheating. That's just not cool.

11. You're supporting criminal activities.

Stealing is cheating and it's also a crime.

Apart from merely funding crime through your knock off purchases, there are various other criminal activities which are tied to these type of companies. For one, the labour conditions may be completely disgusting. Imagine if a three year old girl was working in a crowded sweat shop just so that you can own a fake MAC foundation. Then there are various other issues like the profits funding activities that you’re probably completely against.

Years ago, I was completely obsessed with the gorgeous trademarked Louboutin red soles. I mean they were splashed all over Instagram and every second post pictured a stunning shoe with the shiny red sole.

It was hard not to fall into the trap. The problem was that the cheapest Louboutin heel was like a $1000 (Approx R10 000). It was obviously way too expensive and besides, after shipping and customs, I'd probably have to end up selling more than a kidney.

But I was dangerously obsessed. I NEEDED them in my life (or so I thought). So instead, what did I do?

I 'invested' in fakes. And why am I using the word 'invested'? Because that shizz was also expensive. I spent between R1500 and R2000 for a FAKE pair of Loubis.  Don't ask me why I did this because I'm still wondering. Ordinarily, I would have never bought a fake product. I mean, I'd rather get something affordable than a fake. But I was going through a shoe obsession and it was becoming an actual problem.

Anyway, before purchasing these fake shoes, I did my research. I so badly wanted to own the real deal but with a price tag so high, I quickly realised that that was not going to happen. Then, I started to research the fake shoes. There were countless people selling 'A-grade' replicas which seemed amazing. Most of these replicas came with a dust bag, the same box as the originals and some even took it a step further and came with an authenticity card (side note: Louboutins don't come with an authenticity card).

Oh, and everything was delivered to the post office. You'd think that spending so much on a FAKE shoe, you'd get home delivery but that wasn't the case.

The first time I received the first pair I ordered (yes, I should have stopped at this stage), I was freaking out because the shoes were stunning. But then I tried them on. They were more uncomfortable than walking on dagger like stilts (fine, I'm exaggerating) but they were pretty bad. A few minutes in, I noticed the fake diamante's coming off. Needless to say, I have never worn those shoes for more than twenty minutes (I've never worn them out of the house either).

The second time I purchased a pair of boots. The boots were actually more comfortable than the last shoe but the shape of the arch was such a mess. It looked ragged instead of smooth. However, it wasn't as stunning as the picture because it was obviously a fake. I have worn these shoes multiple times, simply because I own them and because I spent so much money on it. But I’ve never and I will never tell anyone they’re real. I always tell them they’re fake.

WHY ON EARTH DID I SPEND SO MUCH ON A FAKE SHOE?!?

The last time, I decided to buy two pairs at once (you'd think that I had learnt my lesson but clearly, I didn't. I blame it on the fact that I was young and VERY dumb.) These were probably the worst shoes I have ever tried on in all my life. The first pair was actually quite stunning. It had a tiny peep toe and it was higher than my shoe standards (because let’s get real, at this stage I had absolutely NO shoe standards since I had been purchasing fakes). But even though they were absolutely stunning, they were super duper uncomfortable. It felt worse than my above mentioned exaggerated claim. Seriously, standing in it for a few minutes was absolute torture. I can't imagine walking in them for more than a few minutes. 

The other pair was an absolute disaster. The back of the shoe did not hug my ankle. Instead, it kind of leaned away from my ankle. Apart from that, it was far too large and when I wore it, it was so so so scratchy. After about ten minutes in those shoes, my feet would become red because of how scratchy it was. So. Not. Cute.

I did ask the retailer if I could exchange it but they said that they couldn't because it was a custom order.

After that, I stopped buying ANY fake products COMPLETELY. 

No ways was I going to drop a few thousand rands on fake junk. I mean if I had just saved up all that money I wasted and added a little more, I could have actually bought the real deal.

So what's the point of this post? STAY AWAY FROM FAKE PRODUCTS AND REPLICAS. Rather buy a cheaper shoe that does not hold an elite name. 

This experience actually taught me a very valuable lesson. I realised that buying fake products is the number one way to waste your money and I have NEVER EVER purchased a product from just anyone unless I know that it is real. If even one product sold is a fake, I steer clear from that particular company.

I will be writing a separate post on why not to purchase fake products.

Today, I honestly feel disgusted with myself. Not only did I waste my money, but I don't wear these shoes because I hate how uncomfortable they are and they're fake. No matter how classy I dress, I always know that my feet are wrapped in fake junk and that thought actually really sucks. 

I've been told to sell them but I refuse to. Why? Because I honestly don't believe that anyone else should wear rubbish like that.

That being said, I am now completely against knock offs. I will try hard to NEVER EVER fall into this trap again.

I like the cold - as long as it’s not uncomfortable though. There’s just something about being all bundled up and enjoying the warmth whilst indoors.

The only time I absolutely despise the cold is when it seeps into my body and suddenly, everything hurts. Oh, and when I can’t warm up in the icy weather. Other than that, I don’t hate winter.

During winter, I realised that there are a few things that I just NEED. They’re pretty much essentials for me. 

That being said, my heart goes out to all the people that do not have sufficient warmth during the colder months. I pray that things get better for them. Next time you’re throwing things out, make a “winter essentials” package for someone in need. A warm blanket and some warm clothing will really help those who live on the streets.

Lets be grateful for all that we have been blessed with. Some people aren’t as fortunate.

Without further ado, let me jump into a wonderful wintery list for warmth

1. Woodwick candle

The sounds of a crackling fire is so soothing in cold weather. But when you don’t have a fireplace, how can you enjoy the soothing crackle of one?

The Woodwick candle not only smells amazing, but it also crackles once lit.

The scent the candle gives off is absolutely heavenly! I have the Pineapple candle which smells absolutely delicious. It scents up the whole room and the scent lingers well after the candle is out (as long as you keep the door closed).

I’d suggest grabbing a more winter appropriate candle for the colder months. 

Where to purchase (SA): Takealot, Senses Beauty Salon, Premier Homeware, Woodwick.com

Alternatives: Yankee Candles (no crackle)

2. Super soft blanket 

Cuddling under a super soft blanket (whilst sipping a delicious hot drink) is probably one of my favourite things to do. 

A super soft blanket is exactly what I need to get through those chilly days. Wrapping myself in that soft fabric is something that dreams are made of.

I’m not talking about those extra large, kind of heavy blankets that are perfect for the bed, I’m talking about a medium sized, light blanket that’s perfect for relaxing. 

Where to purchase: Mr Price, Sheet Street, Yuppie Chef, Netflorist

3. Fluffy gown

The moment I get home, I get out of anything uncomfortable and I slip into my gown. I just love being wrapped in something that is buttery soft.

Apart from how amazing it feels, it also keeps you super warm. So gone are the days that you dread getting out of bed in order to face the frosty cold (Ok, fine! You may still hate getting out of bed but a soft gown makes it a little better).

Where to purchase: Woolworths, Edgars, Netflorist

4. Fuzzy slippers

Since my feet are almost always really cold, I absolutely have to wrap them in something warm, especially on tiles (if I don’t, my legs hurt so bad! I’m only a 20 something year old, this isn’t supposed to happen, right?)

Anyway, sliding my feet into soft slippers is always comforting and that’s why slippers are an absolutely necessity during winter. I absolutely have to have a pair of warm slippers in the house to save me from icy winters.

Where to purchase: Woolworths, Edgars, Mr Price 

5. Lush Sleepy Body Lotion

Oh. My. Gosh. You guys! This body lotion is the best smelling lotion for your night time regimen. I swear, I’m not exaggerating.

I bought it on a whim and I honestly don’t regret it. 

If you’ve ever walked into a Lush store, you probably know the feeling of getting hit by countless different smells and it easily becomes overwhelming. So when I initially sniffed this, I thought it just smelled nice and then moved on. After I sniffed another body lotion I asked my husband what he thought. When he told me that the first one I smelled was better, I grabbed it.

But then, when I finally used it after a hot shower, I was in love. The scent of an oatmeal infusion, calming lavender and comfortingly sweet tonka-absolute is so calming that it is perfect for your night time regime. Also (and I don't know if this is my imagination), but it makes you sleep better (after all, you're wrapped in delicious infusions when you use this!)

I slather this all over my body and I relish in the scent. I did notice that there is a slight shimmer to it but it’s so minimal that it’s almost unnoticeable.

6. Delicious hot drinks 

Although I love the scent of coffee and enjoy the taste, I prefer drinking hot chocolate mostly because I don’t like to drink too much caffeine. My sister makes the most amazing array of hot drinks ever (seriously, better than Starbucks) and I always love snuggling up under the covers with one of her delicious drinks in hand.

If I’m not having one of my sister’s specialities, I enjoy having a good cup of coffee or a unique flavoured tea.

Where to purchase: Your favourite hot drink barista