Parcels that never arrive, refunds that drag on, a product that looks nothing like the photo, customer service you can’t reach, delivery mistakes... There are plenty of small annoyances that can ruin an order. And yes, it’s worth remembering: shopping on a virtual store carries more risk than shopping in person, where you can try things on, touch them, and walk out with your bag without any fuss. So of course we hesitate — especially after one or two bad experiences!

At Beauté Femme, we love fashion and beauty products, that’s a fact, and like many of you we do some shopping online, at our own risk, so to speak. So we thought it would be useful to share our thoughts on the e-shops we actually use, and while we’re at it, to open it up to yours too.

Let’s say it straight away: you can leave your experiences in the ‘Comments’ section at the bottom of the page. You never know — it might save someone a disappointment or, on the contrary, reassure those who haven’t yet taken the plunge. Let’s dive into a tour of the online shops we know!

Sephora

It’s a fact: not all of us are lucky enough to have a Sephora nearby, and the brand offers a wide choice of cosmetics and fragrances that you can’t always find elsewhere. So it’s handy to do your beauty shopping online on this well-stocked site. Service-wise, it’s a strong point: good presentation, customer reviews on products, free samples with every order... what more could you ask for? So far, no problems to report — products arrive well packaged and in good condition.

Light oak bathroom shelf with glass bottles, a cream jar and a brush
The online beauty aisle, its thousands of products and its samples

Sarenza

Shoes, lots of shoes — heaven for your feet! Sarenza is one of the reliable names in online retail: fairly quick delivery, free returns and a generous return window. That’s all the more welcome because sizing remains the number one unknown when shopping remotely, and between two brands, a size 5 can genuinely mean two different things. We shop there with our eyes closed — or almost.

Brown leather loafers worn, midi skirt and sunny pavement, close crop
Sizing remains the unknown: you try, you walk, you return

ASOS

This British site is known to fashion fans and online shoppers everywhere: clothing, accessories, jewellery, beauty... the choice is wide and the brands are many. The site is easy to browse, and for those shopping from abroad, local language versions make life easier. Service-wise, ASOS ranks among the trusted online shops, with fairly quick delivery and returns covered by ASOS. On the whole, we haven’t been disappointed, and refunds follow without delay.

But before you click, how do you find your way without going round in circles? The product page, first: clear composition, photos shown on several body types, verifiable reviews — or just a smoothed-over image that tells you nothing? And then the costs that appear on the final screen: delivery, packaging, possible customs charges. That’s exactly where trust is won or lost.

Black midi wrap dress with halter neck worn by a young woman near a window

We spotted a piece whose product page leaves nothing vague: a midi wrap dress, open back and halter neck, in a deep black that goes with everything. The wrap crosses nicely at the front, the length falls below the knee, and the halter neck shows off the nape without overdoing it. Wear it with heeled sandals for an evening out, or with a blazer and boots when temperatures drop. Expect around £30 at ASOS, price checked in September. The product page is here: black ASOS wrap dress.

Net-a-Porter

We move on to Net-a-Porter with a sigh at the beautiful pieces... and the prices that come with them. It’s luxury all the way: delivery isn’t cheap, but it’s very fast, products arrive in lovely boxes and the service follows through. One to save for big occasions, or to watch during the sales — that’s where you find the exceptions.

Open cream box, tissue paper and black satin ribbon on light marble
At Net-a-Porter, the parcel itself is part of the pleasure

Zalando

Zalando is a bit like a big, well-organised fashion department: hundreds of brands, very varied prices and logistics that hold up. Delivery times are usually around a few working days depending on the option chosen, and delivery costs often drop above a basket threshold — that threshold changes regularly, so check the summary carefully before you confirm. There’s nothing more annoying than a surprise on the final screen!

Cherry-red one-sleeve skater dress worn in a sunny courtyard

To treat yourself without breaking the bank, we fell for a cocktail dress by WAL G.: one sleeve, a skater cut that flares from the waist, and a cherry red that doesn’t go unnoticed. The kind of piece you slip on for a party and that makes the whole look on its own. Wear it with nude heels and a minimalist clutch, or with flat sandals for a slightly dressed-up lunch. Priced at around £39, price checked in September, to shop at Zalando: the WAL G. dress.

Bershka

Bershka is the young, accessible brand you find online as well as in store, and it follows trends closely without blowing the budget. Good news: the brand is also sold on major platforms, which often makes returns easier. And with Bershka itself, it’s fairly straightforward: quick delivery, often free returns, a generous return window. That’s what makes distance buying acceptable, because sizing remains the big unknown, and the same size can hide two very different measurements.

Beige lace halter-neck midi dress worn on a summer terrace

We loved a beige lace halter-neck dress with a very romantic feel: the lace adds texture and the structured neckline balances the whole look. A piece we can picture on a terrace in summer, with gold sandals and discreet earrings. Expect around £50, price checked in September. The product page is here: the Bershka lace dress.

Vinted

It’s impossible today to talk about online shopping without mentioning second-hand fashion, and Vinted has become the go-to. You can hunt down pieces that are sometimes impossible to find elsewhere, at low prices, and it gives already-worn clothes a second life. Be careful, though: everything depends on the seller, and from one listing to the next, photos, measurements and condition can vary. You go there for a bargain and the thrill of the chase, not for the guarantee of a large retailer.

The second-hand reflex, within reach of your phone.
price not found — Vinted is a second-hand platform/app; no price or subscription is indicated in the results provided for Vinted (official site) — illustrative image generated
Young woman in front of a second-hand clothing rail in a bright living room
Second-hand: the thrill of the chase, one listing at a time

La Redoute

Finally, La Redoute is the site we’ve known forever and that continues to be useful: womenswear, home, home textiles... the catalogue is vast and prices remain accessible. Service-wise, orders arrive within the stated times and returns are hassle-free. A good option for the basics we replace often.

Young woman arranging folded cotton basics in a light wood wardrobe
The basics we replace without thinking, delivered on time

As we can see, e-shopping is booming, and many people trust online shopping, even if some apprehension remains. You can’t touch the product, you can’t take it back to a store with a simple gesture, and customer service happens by email or phone... So yes, buy — but above all, we want to be sure of the shop we’re buying from. And for that, nothing beats other consumers’ reviews: we want to hear yours, so leave them in the comments!

A halter neck shows off the shoulders and décolletage without a deep plunge: perfect if you’re looking for a bit of light. Just remember to check the support, and plan for a suitable bra — or sticky cups — for open-back styles.

Budget

On the budget side, a dress can cost a great deal or stay very reasonable, and it all depends on what you’re looking for.

For a simple piece, to wear day to day or for lunch, expect a range of around £20 to £45 at accessible fashion retailers, online and in store. For a more dressed-up dress — lace, satin, a more elaborate cut — you’re more likely looking at £45 to £105 depending on the brand and fabric. And for a designer piece or a premium label, the bill easily climbs from £130 to £350, sometimes well beyond.

What makes prices vary? The fabric and its quality, the complexity of the cut, the brand’s reputation and, of course, when you buy: sales and end-of-season clearances bring prices down. Don’t forget extra costs either, delivery and returns, which add to the total on small baskets.

To pay less, second-hand is now a real alternative: on resale platforms, you can find barely worn pieces at a fraction of the new price, as long as you check the measurements and condition. And for basics, the big online fashion retailers often remain very competitive. In beauty, the range depends mainly on the brand: from a few pounds for a basic skincare product to several tens of pounds for a fragrance or a branded serum.