Tips for online shopping

Women love shopping, don't we all? Like Nitya says in Alaa Modalaindi, there's a psychology behind women's shopping. And with the less amount of time in hand and more choices available online, a lot of women are moving over to online shopping rather than going through the rigmarole of offline shopping.
A click of the mouse is all you need these days to purchase anything - from a safety pin to a bridal lehenga. But before you click that one button, be a bit smart and follow these tips to avoid rip-offs online.

Right size and fit: When you're buying clothes, make sure you measure yourself carefully so you choose the right size. However, it's not just the size that matters, it's the fit as well. Websites like Jabong and Myntra offer a size guide for clothes and footwear. Always check their guidelines and select a size accordingly. Before making your first online purchase, try out a couple of outfits in a mall or a boutique and see which size and cut fits you properly. It's better to go for a size bigger when you're unsure.
Colors: Please know that there will be a slight variation in color and feel of the fabrics as light plays a vital role in photographs. The clothes usually look brighter and more colorful on the web page than they do when you see them in a shop. Keep this in mind when choosing your color.

Choices: There is a wide range of choice available online. Take your time to go through different websites, and make yourself familiar with online brands before you make your purchases. Online shopping is the best when you're looking for mix-n-match kurtas, leggings/salwar, and chunnis.

Make-up: The color variation is more noticeable when you buy make-up stuff online especially for lipsticks. Since you cannot really try any of the lipsticks or nail polishes, you just have to go by your hunch. If you've already used similar shades, then it'll be easier to make a choice. The easiest to choose are Hair colors, moisturizers, lip balms, hair oils, shampoos, etc. The toughest are body sprays, perfumes, lipsticks and nail enamels.

Footwear: When you're buying the footwear, please follow the instructions on the size guide by measuring both the feet separately. Always go for the size of the bigger foot. If you're unsure of your size, buy a size bigger if it's footwear. With shoes, you have to be more sure of your foot size both with and without the socks on. If you're used to wearing socks, buy ankle length woollen socks.

Return Policy: Familiarize yourself with the website's return policy. Feel free to return the products if you're not happy with them for any reason. Almost all the websites have a Return Policy in place so that customers can return the stuff with size issues, color issues or if it reaches in a damaged/semi-damaged condition.