• If you have bought, sold or gained information from our Classifieds, please donate to MakeUp Talk and give back.

    You can become a Supporting Member or just click here to donate.

What companies have you gotten samples from?

Current body
Shop deals on ebay
Advertise with us
shop deals on amazon
Makeuptalk.com forums

Help Support Makeuptalk.com forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Yeah, that's bad marketing on their end not to send samples when people ask. People on this thread are usually looking for a specific product and getting samples is a great way to test them out without spending tons of money on the full size. If they find what they're looking for, they will buy it! I have been searching for a good night cream for my oily/combo skin so I have been emailing companies for that. I used the night serum I got from bioelements last night and fell in love. Now, I'm waiting until I'm no longer on a no-buy to spend the $65 on the full size! I never would have considered that if I hadn't been able to try it out first. 

 
I think that's funny. I won't buy products without trying them first. Even if it is under $10. Most companies will not allow returns if opened. I have fallen in love with multiple companies and spent hundreds of dollars after receiving samples. If you want my opinion... if you feel it is cost prohibitive to send samples... your product is nothing worth purchasing. If it was you would see sales go up from sending samples. Ask Paula's Choice. I spend $100-$200 1-2 a year on their stuff. It all started with a few samples. I take every sample I receive as a chance to try something new. I have purchased from every single company that sent me samples that I enjoyed. EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!! So honestly-I could care less what they think about this group. Or their company.
Click to expand...
And furthermore (sorry for the long spew of a post) this site is free advertising for them. I had never heard of them before. Even on my own searches. They should have simply said "no" or not answered. Now they just look bad to me.
 
Originally Posted by Alessandra321 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

WOW: my return email from a company mentioned this thread by name in a way that feels like a smackdown. I don't like the assumption that I am not "truly . . . interested" because I subscribe to this thread! Jeez! Maybe I'm just sensitive but I am sort of mortified by this response:

Ziaja Cosmetics is a skin care company that offers quality products at reasonable prices, based on natural ingredients . All our products are under $10. Because our product are priced at such reasonable prices we do not send out sample products to perspective clients through the mail. It is cost prohibitive to do so (we did send samples in the past) We have had a spike of email traffic requesting samples and have seen our product samples on websites like makeuptalk.com "what companies have you gotten free samples from?" I apologize if you truly are interested in Ziaja product and now can not receive more info about us by mail. As mentioned above our products are priced from $4.99 to $9.99 well within financial reach of anyone! We do send out lots of samples to our ordering customers! We send deluxe samples of face creams and sachets of new product in all of our orders. Feel free to order at Ziaja USA http://www.zjashop.com Sincerely, Ziaja USA

I would like to point out that it is "PROSPECTIVE" vs. "perspective clients" and that thanks to this email I am not one. On a positive note, I have three Birchboxes and one Glossybox overflowing with free samples. I shall continue this quest for HG products.
bandit.gif
Click to expand...
I've been reading this thread for a while but I've only asked for samples from a hand full of companies I was interested in last fall/winter.  I had tons of skin care products from my beauty subs and Sephora so I decided to wait until I needed more things to ask for more samples.  I asked a few companies last week about trying some samples and all said no.  They used to give out samples a few months ago but don't any more.  I wonder if all the companies are getting bombarded with requests and many just stopped sending them to anyone.  I hope not because I have found some items I love through samples.  I live in a small town (pop. 1700) and the closest large city is 4 hours away.  Online samples are almost the only way to get products for me to try.

I always offer to pay for samples, which I have many times, because I hate going through the hassle of returning items (for those that have a great return policy) and hoping they credit my credit card.  I've had to call a few times because I wasn't refunded my money.  It would be nice if all companies offered samples for a small price. 

 
Originally Posted by Jamie P /img/forum/go_quote.gif

And furthermore (sorry for the long spew of a post) this site is free advertising for them. I had never heard of them before. Even on my own searches. They should have simply said "no" or not answered. Now they just look bad to me.
Click to expand...
That is so true!  I have bought products I would have never heard of if not for this thread.  MUT (in general) has been wonderful for my makeup/skin care collection, but not my wallet.  I started with one sub, found this site, and now have six.

 
So I decided to look at their products. I did not request samples from them and I remember why. Their products claim to be for sensitive skin, but upon looking at the ingredients they list parfum. Fragrance? In a cream labeled for sensitive skin? Red flag right there for me. No thanks.

 
Wow. That makes me not want to give Ziaja business, too! And I agree, I am much more willing to give my business to a company who is willing to offer samples when it comes to something as personal as beauty products!

Then again, I wonder how many people find this thread doing "FREE SAMPLE" google searches and hit up the companies we have posted, not out of any real interest in the products, but just wanting something free. I hope those people aren't ruining a good thing for those of us actually interested in products! :( /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 
Originally Posted by yousoldtheworld /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Wow. That makes me not want to give Ziaja business, too! And I agree, I am much more willing to give my business to a company who is willing to offer samples when it comes to something as personal as beauty products!

Then again, I wonder how many people find this thread doing "FREE SAMPLE" google searches and hit up the companies we have posted, not out of any real interest in the products, but just wanting something free. I hope those people aren't ruining a good thing for those of us actually interested in products! :( /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />
Click to expand...
iagree.gif


 
Originally Posted by jayeme /img/forum/go_quote.gif



I'm the person that originally posted Ziaja samples on here, and I was going to purchase the full size day cream when I run out of the sample I'm using now--but now, I'm not so sure. Like Jamie P, I don't purchase anything I can't try first when it comes to skincare, and I truly believe that those of us who are interested enough to ask for samples are just the sort of beauty junkies you want to be your loyal customers! Sending a few sample packets once can get you a repeat customer for years if your product is good. We just spend so much money on beauty products, we want them to be products that work! 
Click to expand...
I think you should e mail them and tell them that.  Or maybe I will just send them a link to this post since they seem to stalk MUT....A holes...

 
Originally Posted by OpheliaDiFranco /img/forum/go_quote.gif

PS I just did a search for "Free makeup samples" and searched through 20 pages, and this thread doesnt come up.  I think our integrity is safe!

icon_biggrin.gif
Click to expand...
Except all it takes is one person to stumble across it and post the companies on their "FREE STUFF!!!" blog...

(Don't get me wrong, I like free stuff, too! But those people are one of my internet pet peeves...popping up on every company's pages, statuses, pictures with "HOW DO I GET A FREE SAMPLE" ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! lol )

 
For what it's worth, I have the Ziaja eye cream I got from a Total Beauty box and it is just okay. Not terrible, but nothing I'd ever buy, so you're not missing anything amazing. :) /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 
Originally Posted by OpheliaDiFranco /img/forum/go_quote.gif

PS I just did a search for "Free makeup samples" and searched through 20 pages, and this thread doesnt come up.  I think our integrity is safe!

icon_biggrin.gif
Click to expand...
Any time I look at this thread though, if I look to the right there are at least as many "guest" viewers as members viewing the thread. I kind of wish we could make it private somehow so only MUT members could view it, I think that would help! 

 
Originally Posted by jayeme /img/forum/go_quote.gif


Any time I look at this thread though, if I look to the right there are at least as many "guest" viewers as members viewing the thread. I kind of wish we could make it private somehow so only MUT members could view it, I think that would help! 
Click to expand...
Yes, exactly! It'd be different if these were huge companies, but most of them are pretty small and I'd hate for them to be overwhelmed by the greedy free sample crowd :( /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> Oh well!

You know, that's probably part of the reason why so many of these companies have different answers to different people instead of a consistent stance on samples...a lot of them are probably trying to determine who is an actual potential customer and who isn't (like macadamia straight up telling you they send samples on a case by case basis.)  Hopefully most of them can decipher the sincere! :) /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 
It just says a lot about the company how they react. Red Flower impressed me with the customer service... and the products are very nice. Some scents I was sent were NOT what I would have picked out for myself... and they smelled amazing. Nothing like I would have imagined. I'm making a purchase for my guest room in my new house. Caldrea I purchased from Target and I LOVE the set I got. I use it daily. Obviously I order from Paula's Choice often. I realized that Juice Beauty doesn't agree with my skin, so I won't order from them. I'm excited to try Restorsea. Results of glycolic acid without the side effects? Yes please!! Also Nia24 has my high interest. 100% pure I cannot wait to try... I love the natural ingredients. Oh yes... these companies will be getting my money. Hahaha!

 
Originally Posted by Jamie P /img/forum/go_quote.gif

It just says a lot about the company how they react. Red Flower impressed me with the customer service... and the products are very nice. Some scents I was sent were NOT what I would have picked out for myself... and they smelled amazing. Nothing like I would have imagined. I'm making a purchase for my guest room in my new house. Caldrea I purchased from Target and I LOVE the set I got. I use it daily. Obviously I order from Paula's Choice often. I realized that Juice Beauty doesn't agree with my skin, so I won't order from them. I'm excited to try Restorsea. Results of glycolic acid without the side effects? Yes please!! Also Nia24 has my high interest. 100% pure I cannot wait to try... I love the natural ingredients. Oh yes... these companies will be getting my money. Hahaha!
Click to expand...
I agree, I really appreciate the companies that really put effort into helping me find the right products to try (I see Paula's Choice becoming a new favorite, especially!) Especially since my skin is changing a lot and I am in the market for a completely new skincare routine!

 
Received samples from emerginc today. They send 3 each of 5 different samples. I'd take a picture but my daughter already ran off with half of them. It came UPS with lots of packing peanuts, too much box in my opinion but I guess they want to make sure I don't end up with squished samples.

 
Did you hear back from EmergenC or did they just send them? I never heard back... so I am not sure if they are sending or not. 

 
I sent an email on Sunday, she replied Monday and the box came today. Are you in the US? She said they only ship to continental US.

 
Yes I am. Oh well. I honestly have so many to try. I can save them for when I run out-if I still need anything! 

 

Latest posts

Back
Top