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What companies have you gotten samples from?

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I think samples are perfect for finding new beauty routines! Otherwise you'd have a lot of expensive trial and error. I'm focusing on finding my perfect skincare regimen right now, because who doesn't want beautiful glowing skin? But my hair routine could definitely use an update, too....
My philosophy on this sample-requesting adventure: Any company not willing to send out samples is a company that expects it's prospective customers to take all the risk, and I'm not willing to do that. *They* have to earn *my* money, and I've been spoiled by subscription boxes in a way that means that I won't buy something unless I've already tried the product. Advertising might get me to try something, but when it comes to my hair and skin, buying comes after trying. (I'm also trying to find a new skincare regimen, but that's not as high in my list of priorities as the hair thing. I just bought a 40-oz pack of philosophy purity, so I really should get through that before I change things up.)
 
Originally Posted by meaganola /img/forum/go_quote.gif

My philosophy on this sample-requesting adventure: Any company not willing to send out samples is a company that expects it's prospective customers to take all the risk, and I'm not willing to do that. *They* have to earn *my* money, and I've been spoiled by subscription boxes in a way that means that I won't buy something unless I've already tried the product. Advertising might get me to try something, but when it comes to my hair and skin, buying comes after trying.

(I'm also trying to find a new skincare regimen, but that's not as high in my list of priorities as the hair thing. I just bought a 40-oz pack of philosophy purity, so I really should get through that before I change things up.)
Agreed. Skincare (or haircare) is so individual, and what works for one person may not work for another--you really do have to just try it out for yourself. Even when they say they have a money-back guarantee, I don't want to go through all that hassle for something that may or may not work. There are plenty of companies who do want my business enough to send samples, so I'll be going to them instead! Even the quality of samples and customer service matters--a company who makes nice-sized individual samples based on my specific concerns and preferences is more likely to get my business than one who throws generic foil packets in the mail (although I still appreciate that! It's just hard to tell from that amount of product if something is going to work or not.....skincare takes at least a few days to decide on!). 

 
Originally Posted by heartsandwhimsy /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I emailed Sumbody for samples of their skincare line for acne prone skin on Friday and they are located about twenty minutes from me. I love in Santa Rosa ca and they are in Sebastopol. So Saturday morning I'm outside on my front porch having my morning coffee and two girls walk up to my house with a bag of samples!!!!! The lady who got my email saw my address and noticed that her sister lived down the street from me and decided to save me the weight bucks shipping and have her sister deliver them!! Talk about awesome customer service anf the products are phenomenal will definitely be purchasing!
That's great!

 
Quote:Originally Posted by Sage32 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

This is what I have gotten in the last couple of days.



I got a bunch of packets from MenScience for my husband. Also got a few from Restorsea.



The top this is from b.liv and it was a link I used a while ago. Then I got some stuff from Melvita and some nice stuff from Babor. They sent me some foundation samples cause I asked for them, so if there is anyone who is looking for makeup samples, they send some.


My husband adores that menscience stuff. He's tried evolution man, jack black, anthony logistics, kiehls, and that tuan stuff ---- menscience is by far is favorite. If he will put squeeze the foil packet out into a little jar, he can get probably 4-5 uses out of it!
 
Originally Posted by jayeme /img/forum/go_quote.gif

This makes me wish I'd been able to get samples from glo - professionals! They just told me that I could go to a local retailer to try their products, and the one they suggested was a sketchy "weight loss and aesthetics" place that's like an hour from where I live....no thanks. 
GloProfessionals tried that with me...they told me I could go to a spa that is over an hour away and receive samples. I told them it was too far away and thanked them. They responded and said they would be happy to send me samples and let me tell you!!!! I received a large package filled with makeup samples and facewash and hair samples yesterday. Their had to of been around 10-15+ things in that baby! I was so excited!

I also got the Macadamia standard package that everyone has been getting, and I got a package from Paula's choice. Which was very nice it came with 2 separate facewash sets that had a couple days worth for each. Also a book of 20 beauty myths and their catalog! 

So far I have received products from Macadamia, Juice Beauty, Dermorganics, Jane Irdale, GloProfessionals, Murad, Paula's Choice. Can't wait for more!!

Edit: I will post pictures of everything tomorrow!! 

 
Originally Posted by meaganola /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I got a yes from Macadamia! I wrote up a little hair history/bio and am sending it out to haircare companies, and I think that's what did the trick. I'm on the hunt for a real grown-up haircare regimen not cobbled together from subscription boxes, and I'm starting by sending out a lot of requests for samples. I grew up in a Suave-using house, and I used bar soap for years when my hair was kept in a pixie and getting bleached to hell every four weeks, but I want something *fancy* now that I'm creeping up on the answer to life, the universe, and everything.
Love that reference!

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

Quote: Originally Posted by meaganola /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I got a yes from Macadamia! I wrote up a little hair history/bio and am sending it out to haircare companies, and I think that's what did the trick. I'm on the hunt for a real grown-up haircare regimen not cobbled together from subscription boxes, and I'm starting by sending out a lot of requests for samples. I grew up in a Suave-using house, and I used bar soap for years when my hair was kept in a pixie and getting bleached to hell every four weeks, but I want something *fancy* now that I'm creeping up on the answer to life, the universe, and everything.
Love that reference!

Oh, me too.  Hitchhiker's Guide = 
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Same here! Very disappointing as I keep wanting to try their stuff, but I don't have that kind of money to spend just for trying something out.  And the sample thing totally does good for the companies, I think--those of us who care enough to send out these emails also care enough to actually purchase the products we like! I just bought a full size of skyn iceland face wash and I want to buy the cloud cream as well...never would have done that if I hadn't gotten the samples!
I also bought the facial cleanser from skyn Iceland after trying a sample that they sent to me. Isn't that stuff great?!
 
Originally Posted by Jamie P /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Ok so I have heard from everybody except....

Babor (sent) Original Sprout (sent) Nature's Gate (sent) Elemental Herbology (sent) Zirth (sent) L'Occitane (sent) Beauty Society (sent) Oribe (sent) Skyn Iceland (sent) Koh Gen Do (sent) studio gear cc cream (sent) N4 (sent) Dermadoctor (sent)   I wonder how many more emails I will get tomorrow. :) /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />
Just to let you know, some companies I didn't even get a response back, I just got the samples in the mail a week or two later. The one's that did this were Skyn Iceland, Original Sprout, Nature's Gate, Zirth and Aubrey's.

 
Originally Posted by Sage32 /img/forum/go_quote.gif


Just to let you know, some companies I didn't even get a response back, I just got the samples in the mail a week or two later. The one's that did this were Skyn Iceland, Original Sprout, Nature's Gate, Zirth and Aubrey's.
Nia 24 did this as well.

 
Today's haul:



-A sample of the "Full Infusion Serum" from sumbody--she didn't charge me for shipping but it came with $1.61 postage due because it was in a regular paper envelope with one stamp. 

-MyChelle

-OC8

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

I also bought the facial cleanser from skyn Iceland after trying a sample that they sent to me. Isn't that stuff great?!
So great! And I never would have found it if they didn't send samples. Buying the full size of that makes me not even want to try the other face wash samples I have stockpiled!

 
Okay, so I'm totally dominating this thread today, but I just had to share the awesome samples UPS just delivered from Colorescience. 



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

Okay, so I'm totally dominating this thread today, but I just had to share the awesome samples UPS just delivered from Colorescience. 

Nice! What did you get from them? And did they respond to you or just send some stuff? I just emailed them now! Always looking for the next best thing in makeup :) /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 
Originally Posted by Sage32 /img/forum/go_quote.gif


Nice! What did you get from them? And did they respond to you or just send some stuff? I just emailed them now! Always looking for the next best thing in makeup :) /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />
They didn't respond, samples just showed up a week after I sent my email! The 3 little jars are mineral powder sunscreen in 3 shades, the big packets are loose mineral foundation "travel puffs" in 3 colors + one of "Illuminating Pearl Powder," and the foil packets are 2 colors of illuminating serum, an anti-aging serum, 6 different kinds of primer (skin brightening, calming, bronzing, mattifying, one for problem skin, and one with extra spf), and sheer creme foundation in all 8 colors. I really wish they'd answered & asked about my skin tone before sending the samples; I'm never going to be able to use a lot of these colors! It would have saved them the trouble of sending everything, too. Oh well. Maybe I can use some of the darker ones as bronzer or something. 

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

They didn't respond, samples just showed up a week after I sent my email! The 3 little jars are mineral powder sunscreen in 3 shades, the big packets are loose mineral foundation "travel puffs" in 3 colors + one of "Illuminating Pearl Powder," and the foil packets are 2 colors of illuminating serum, an anti-aging serum, 6 different kinds of primer (skin brightening, calming, bronzing, mattifying, one for problem skin, and one with extra spf), and sheer creme foundation in all 8 colors. I really wish they'd answered & asked about my skin tone before sending the samples; I'm never going to be able to use a lot of these colors! It would have saved them the trouble of sending everything, too. Oh well. Maybe I can use some of the darker ones as bronzer or something. 
Haha! I always find a way to use them. If I get a darker shade, I just mix it with moisturizer until its light enough and use it as a tinted moisturizer. Works pretty good!

 
Originally Posted by Sage32 /img/forum/go_quote.gif


Haha! I always find a way to use them. If I get a darker shade, I just mix it with moisturizer until its light enough and use it as a tinted moisturizer. Works pretty good!
Good idea! I'll have to try that!

 
Today's haul: -A sample of the "Full Infusion Serum" from sumbody--she didn't charge me for shipping but it came with $1.61 postage due because it was in a regular paper envelope with one stamp.  -MyChelle -OC8
oc8 sent me a ten dollar coupon but no samples!
 
Originally Posted by heartsandwhimsy /img/forum/go_quote.gif

oc8 sent me a ten dollar coupon but no samples!
Unfortunate! It does seem to be so random sometimes.

 
Originally Posted by Kies3285 /img/forum/go_quote.gif


GloProfessionals tried that with me...they told me I could go to a spa that is over an hour away and receive samples. I told them it was too far away and thanked them. They responded and said they would be happy to send me samples and let me tell you!!!! I received a large package filled with makeup samples and facewash and hair samples yesterday. Their had to of been around 10-15+ things in that baby! I was so excited!

I also got the Macadamia standard package that everyone has been getting, and I got a package from Paula's choice. Which was very nice it came with 2 separate facewash sets that had a couple days worth for each. Also a book of 20 beauty myths and their catalog! 

So far I have received products from Macadamia, Juice Beauty, Dermorganics, Jane Irdale, GloProfessionals, Murad, Paula's Choice. Can't wait for more!!

Edit: I will post pictures of everything tomorrow!! 

I emailed Glo Professionals again yesterday explaining that the place they recommended isn't convenient for me but I really would love to try their products, and they said they'll send samples! Yay! So I'm excited to see what I get, and I guess it is worthwhile to write again when companies tell you to go get samples in person somewhere inconvenient :) /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

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