Rate it: buying cosmetics on ebay

Buying cosmetics online can be fraught with danger. And also fraught with temptation. If a favourite is discontinued you've told us before how you've found one another again on ebay.

Plus, what about those prices? What if you're the only one to have stumbled upon this particular cut price listing - and you know it's worth a fortune.

Your heart is racing and you're saying to yourself "A Mac set with 37 eyeshadows plus brushes for how much?!". Your head on the other hand is murmering "Easy partner. At that price they can't be real."

And your heart replies "But they might be."

So it's all too easy to bid (or hit the Buy It Now button and get that jolt of instant gratification). Oh the euphoric feeling of winning the auction cannot be beaten. But will it all end in tears when the parcel lands on your door mat?

What have your experiences been of buying cosmetics through auction sites. Would you recommend it - or not?