When you’re on a savings journey and your foundation is running out…what can you do?!
Luckily, we have a money-saving hack to share with you today.
Free makeup! You can get free makeup samples if you know where to go, which we will share with you in this article.
We are fans of getting things that you enjoy, even when you are trying to save money – so getting them for free is a bonus.
Let’s get started:
Table of Contents
How to get the free makeup samples?
Brands are happy to give away free makeup samples because they want to lure you in to buy the products.
It’s essentially a cost-effective way of marketing for them, but the bonus for you is that you get some free makeup to try!
There are websites that will send you free makeup samples, stores, test groups, in the mail and you can often get a free sample when you order something else.
1) Websites That Will Send You Free Makeup Samples
First, we will look at the websites that will send you free makeup samples. If you can do it from your phone, we are all for it.
Sephora.com
Did you know that you can get free samples from Sephora, just from asking?
A good thing to do though is to sign up to their free loyalty program Beauty Insider. As well as getting points, you can get a free gift on your birthday.
If you are near a Sephora counter, just ask them if they have any free samples available and you should be able to bag yourself one.
They have free events that you can get samples at too. Also, when you buy any Sephora products online you can pick 2 free samples.
L’Oreal USA
To get free samples from L’Oreal USA, you can sign up to their Consumer Participation Panel.
You can go to in-person events where you can test and keep some of their makeup products.
If you are unable to attend in person, they also give the option to receive the products via mail.
Smashbox.com
Smashbox is a great, new brand where you can get some fantastic makeup samples.
This would be perfect for you if you are a fan of Smashbox and their bright products.
You can get samples either for free or for $1 with a purchase – check the site for more info.
Product Testing USA
This isn’t a makeup site, but there is an opportunity to get some free makeup samples anyway.
You can sign up to review products on this site, and they often have makeup for you to try out.
The Body Shop
If you pop into a Body Shop store near you, you are able to ask for a sample of any product.
They aren’t able to offer any online, unfortunately.
If you are interested in trying out one of their expert facial masks then you are able to ask in store for a free sample or mask experience.
Glamspotters.com
Glamour magazine has a panel called Glamspotters, which is available worldwide.
To join, you will have to fill out a survey which will ask you various questions.
You can view upcoming events on there, and also take part in surveys which you can get prizes and offers from.
The Pink Panel
The aptly named Pink Panel is a consumer panel site just for women.
You’ll need to enter your details, give their Facebook page a ‘like’ and they’ll send you free offers.
Redbookmag.com
There is an online magazine called Redbook, where you can sign up to their Club Red where you can receive samples to review.
You will need to fill out a quick questionnaire on the site and then you’ll be all set.
Allurebeautyenthusiasts.com
This one is a little bit different from the rest because you will be entering surveys to get rewarded with prizes and freebies.
The surveys are about beauty and makeup products only, which is good if that’s what you are interested in.
Nordstrom
There is a handy little section on the Nordstrom site where you can see which beauty gifts you can get with purchase i.e. free things when you buy something.
You can get top brands such as Tom Ford, Clarins, Clinique, Dior and more.
2) Free Makeup Samples in the Mail
It’s a little bit harder to get free makeup samples in the mail, but still possible to do so.
We recommend keeping an eye on the regularly updated page on The Balance, which lists the current free makeup sample offers.
There are some good places that you can get them, such as:
L’Oreal USA
You can get free samples in the mail from L’Oreal USA if you sign up to their Consumer Participation Panel.
The main idea with it is to attend events in person, but there is the option to have them sent via mail if you can’t attend.
Product Testing USA
We love that you can get products in the mail with Product Testing USA.
You can sign up to get free samples – the signup process is a little bit tedious – but free makeup! There are other products that you can get to test as well on there.
There is a ‘test and keep’ page on the site where you can browse through the offers to find one that you like.
In Style Trendsetters
This is InStyle’s exclusive online community where you can get makeup samples for free.
There are various things that you can do on the platform such as win prizes, offer your opinion – and of course, be sent products to try out.
3) Free Makeup Samples From Stores
I know it may feel a little bit awkward to ask for free samples in a store, but if you don’t ask you don’t get!
Even if you don’t really like the idea of getting samples for free if you’re a bit strapped for cash – trying out products before you buy them is cost-effective too.
The best thing to do in any store is just to ask them if they have any free samples that you could try.
Sephora
Sephora is probably the best place to start when it comes to finding free makeup samples from stores because they are so generous.
You can get a free sample of pretty much any product that Sephora has. They often have free products behind the counter so it doesn’t hurt to ask.
They will be more likely to give you some free bits if you look like a genuine customer and not just there for the freebies.
They also host free events where you can get some free decent sized makeup samples.
Department Stores
Department stores are crammed full of makeup counters – and this is a good thing because they are all trying to get your attention and money.
The best thing about asking for free samples in a department store? There are so many of them, you’re bound to get lucky on one of them!
4) Get Free Makeup Samples From Test Groups
How does being a tester for makeup products sound? If that appeals to you, you may want to consider signing up to be a product tester.
There are test groups out there which are specifically for cosmetics, such as:
Good Housekeeping Advisory Panel
This is a great opportunity. Did you see that – Good Housekeeping. A huge company where you can be sure that you will get some decent stuff through.
You will be sent products to review, and you will have to provide your opinion via an online questionnaire.
Oprah Magazine DevOtee Panel
I don’t know about you, but I think testing products for Oprah is pretty cool.
It works in the same way as most of the other sites – you will need to sign up, and in exchange for completing surveys occasionally, you will be able to sample products.
5) Place an Order and Get Free Makeup Samples
There are some companies where you can get free makeup samples when you are purchasing something. Bargain!
Not only that, but they are at some high-end makeup stores, so you’ll be getting good quality makeup for free.
Laura Mercier
Currently, at the time of writing, Laura Mercier is offering 2 deluxe samples when you place an order online which is over $65.
Be sure to check what the samples are before you place an order, as they may change.
Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown is a great place to get good makeup, and we are always pleased to check out what they are offering as a free sample.
Currently, the offer that they have online is for 5 minis for free when you place an order worth over $50.
6) Free Makeup Samples Given Out on Facebook or Instagram
Are you on Facebook or Instagram? Chances are that your favorite makeup brands are too.
Search for them on the platforms and follow them. You may want to check that your notifications are turned on too.
When they have a free makeup sample available, they’ll most likely post it to their Facebook page, so you can be one of the first to hear about it.
Free Makeup Samples Final Thoughts
If you’re running low on both funds and makeup, these tips can definitely help you to get some free beauty products without needing to spend a thing.
You could also go for the option of getting free makeup samples when you are already purchasing something, which is a handy thing to know.
There are a whole lot of other ways that you can get freebies, such as with coupons, freebies for your baby, free clothes and more.
Do you know of any other savvy ways to get free makeup? Share them in the comments!
