Ever felt envious of someone who has boxes overflowing with free samples of the hottest foundations, mascaras, perfumes and moisturisers (great for trying out a product, perfect for touch-ups and unbeatable for travelling) when you can’t even get a measly mini-bottle of toner with a month’s-salary-worth of beauty purchases? Fact is that while there are usually piles of freebies behind every beauty counter, there are certain tricks involved in getting to them.
1. Firstly, NEVER feel guilty or embarrassed about asking for beauty samples. Your skin, hair and coloring are unique so you have the right to figure out which products work best for your needs. Similarly, brands and salespeople know that beauty samples drive sales and they want to get them in the hands of potential customers.
2. BUT don’t act entitled: it’s up to the saleswoman if she wants to give you any of those precious vials and mini-jars. Be polite and always ask their advice.
3. Salespersons love shoppers who seem to be authentic buyers. So, your best bet is to approach the counter with a specific need and some knowledge of the brand and product line. You can say something like, “I heard from a friend/read in a magazine about this product and am really interested in trying it”.
4. Cultivate a relationship with salespersons by trying to frequent the same stores repeatedly – especially when you are making a purchase. A saleswoman who knows you are a loyal customer is far more likely to let you dip in her stash of beauty samples than someone who sees you once a year.
5. Go when it’s quiet – that’s usually early morning or evening. A relaxed salesperson is more likely to shower you with beauty samples than someone who’s working the lunchtime rush or weekend chaos.
6. Ask for something you actually want: after all, what’s the point in scoring a 1ml vial of Eau de Skank, only to throw it away later?
7. Keep a lookout for new launches. The newer the product, the greater the marketing budget, which means counters will have more beauty samples around this time.
8. The store doesn’t have a pre-packaged sample? Many beauty brands, like Kiehls, Clinique and Sephora, can create one for you on the spot in a generic plastic sampling vial called a dram. This works well for everything from a foundation or lipstick to serums and shampoos. Or carry your own mini-container – then they’ll have no excuse for saying no.
9. Faced with a sulky sales girl who doesn’t want to oblige? Tell her you have sensitive skin and need to try products before buying in case they break you out in a rash.
10. Be sure to get enough product (especially if it’s a cream or serum) to live with for a week. That’s usually the minimum you need to determine whether it works for your skin.
11. Looking for makeup? Most beauty counters offer free makeovers but it’s always better to book an appointment in advance. And never feel pressured into buying something. A simple get-out strategy: “I’m here because my mom/grandmom/friend wants to buy me some makeup for my birthday – could you please write down the products you’ve used so I can pass them on to her?”
12. Avoid being labeled as a “trick or treat-er”. If you’re going from one counter to the next trying to bag beauty samples, it will be noticed and you’re unlikely to succeed. Remember that beauty consultants talk to each other and they will know if you don’t seem authentic. Also, never ever ask for more beauty samples “for a friend.” If you genuinely need more time with the product, explain it nicely and straightforwardly. Otherwise, it starts to feel like you’re a greedy piggy.
What’s your luck like with beauty samples? Do you leave the counter with bulging bags or shattered hopes?
Great post Anubha 😀
I loveddd point # 11 and shall use it next 😀
I can proudly say that am a wise shopper and always ask for samples if it is possible and above all , like you said , i only take sample of stuff which am planning to buy or which interests me .
I dont ask for perfume samples from 100000 brands .. get most of the samples as I shop from SEPHORA plus I know , I would only pick selected brands so I never ask for perfume samples … the skincare too is restricted to CLINIQUE and I dont hesitate asking there coz they know ” madam will come back ” 😛
i totally agree that SA’s have so muchhhhh free stuff with them but they will only give to customers who they feel is going to come back and buy in future … so its always good to shop from selected place like you mentioned
I rem. once this lovely SA at YSL shoppers stop juhu , came especially to me and handed me sample of YSL top secrets mask , she had seen me so many times buying from Clarins and Clinique but never from her only because they were not offering GWP … so without even spending a penny she was so happy to give me sample 😀 D:
these box subscription thing which is new in India , I dont feel we need to spend even that .. a good article like this will help us more 😀 😀
Glad you liked it 🙂 🙂 I have a similar relationship with the Chanel SA in Palladium and at Kiehls in La Rinascenta in Milan… she is the best. And of course, I do end up buying out the stores every couple of months!!!!
Agreed with most of this except #11, that’s just rude. They spend up to half an hour on your makeup, when they could be working with paying customers, only for you to walk away with nothing. The least you could do is pick up a lipstick or something.
Actually, I checked with the brands and makeovers are part of the job. Though I agree that to be nice/empathetic/polite, you would buy something but it’s not 100% compulsory.