A guide to beauty samples

If you are anything like me then walking around boots or other beauty department stores makes you want to buy everything and it can be way too easy to spend a small fortune that you don't have. Being a student these past 4 years has meant that I have had to be really careful with how I spend my money.  So when it comes to beauty products that cost the same as a small weekly shop I like to try before I buy. Hello and welcome to the world of samples and testers!! I know a lot of people don't like asking for samples or don't even know that you can so I thought I would put together a small guide as to why you should get them and how.


1. ALWAYS SAMPLE FOUNDATIONS

If you are going to be spending your hard earned money on your foundation then I highly recommend getting a sample first. You need to test it out for yourself at home along with the rest of your makeup to see if its right for you. You get a chance to see it in different lighting and check out how long it lasts and overall if its right for you! Most makeup counters will offer to colour match you there and then and then that's the time where you can ask for a sample to try it out at home.

2. WHATS THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN?

Some people I know feel a little awkward asking for samples but really what's the worse that can happen? They say no? Well from experience they either say yes, no we have ran out but come back next week or no unfortunately we don't do samples. Then you just smile, say thanks and walk away. Simple as :) Remember you are the customer so you shouldn't feel pressured to buy anything there and then. Take your time and enjoy shopping around.

3. SHOW AN INTEREST

Although samples are free, it does cost the company a lot and so they are not going to give them away willy nilly (yes you read that right). You need to show an interest in a product or the brand and most  companies will help you out as best as they can. Usually if they see you browsing they will ask if they can help you, if not ask them for their advice (it's their job). Basically don't just walk up to the counter and ask for a sample, be polite and feel free to talk about what you are looking for.

4. FREE MINI FACIALS

Ok so I may have exaggerated this title a little. Basically, most skincare counters such as Clarins, Clinique and Origins will offer a consultation where they will use their products on you. They sometimes call this a mini facial but its pretty much them putting on the products you would do yourself at home whilst explaining what each product does etc. You can arrange it for a later date and it gives you the opportunity to try out the whole range. So for example, a cleanser, toner, serum and moisturiser. Sometimes my friends and I would all go and get it done at the same time if we were having a girly day and wanted to test some things out.

5. GET SAMPLES FOR TRAVELLING

Ok so this one is a bit of a cheat but if I am going away on holiday or travelling somewhere I have asked for samples  because they are great for travelling! It saves so much room not having to take the big bottles and tubs of everything and just use the mini ones. Some samples come in little pots (body shop do great ones) so you can reuse them and just decant your own products into them for travelling. Also I got a tester of some perfume in a tiny little spray which I now use for nights out as its so small it fits into every evening bag.

6. GET SAMPLES ONLINE

If you really don't feel comfortable asking for samples face to face or don't have the time to be talking to do so then some companies offer free samples of products online in which they post out to you. If you cant find the service on their website you can always ask them on twitter. Most beauty brands are good at replying to tweets so it's a good way to communicate and ask a quick question.

I'm going to leave it there as I realise this post is getting fairly long. Hope these tips have opened your eyes to the world of beauty samples. Do you have any tips of your own?

Chrissy x