Wednesday 15 August 2012

Beauty Samples - Useful or a waste of time?


As a teenager, my friends and I would go into town of a Saturday and actively sniff out any free beauty samples that were being given out. Back in the day, perfumeries used to give out small sample viles of perfume to anyone that asked, anytime, no questions.
Today, you are lucky if you can even find a scrap of card to spray a tester bottle on to, and if you did want a `proper’ sample you would have to explain your reasons & justifications to the assistant in the hope that you qualify and fit within the sample criteria.
I do understand to a degree as to why larger samples are not given, I have just admitted I was a sample whore when I was younger. But if there is not enough product in the sample for even one decent application then what is the point? Some of the magazine sachets stuck to adverts have barely enough in them to be able to give a judgment call.
OK so for some samples you do not need lots of product to be able to give an opinion, you will know after one go if you like a shower gel or if a foundation is a good colour match. But for problem targeting products you need at least a week’s worth to know if it is right for you, how can you base a decision to buy an expensive serum on a one application sample? You just won’t see any results.
Equally, a one application sample can be all you need to not to go and buy a product as sometimes you instantly know. Then again, how many products have you bought which you hated after one use, but carried on using it/came back to it and then turned out to work quite well? I know I have. 
Below are a few pics of the samples I picked up the other day, the Clarins ones are a decent size, the Origins ones on the the other hand are rubbish! (the smallest pots) barely one application. The other two pots are Estee Lauder serums which is probably about 2 applications.
Over all I think there has to be a happy medium, I am not asking for lots of free stuff but at least give enough for a decent application. What’s your opinion?

 





24 comments:

  1. I love samples! I'm admittedly a sample whore too.

    I use Lancôme foundation, but did it a couple of times with my Clinique...
    *confession time*
    when I couldn't afford it, because there are like 5 counters close by to me of Lancôme and Clinique with a few different staff on each. I did my rounds on the counters till I had the money to buy the bottle lol!
    It lasted me for AGES though, I must have got a nearly a month out of my samples though... oops.

    I hope that doesn't make anyone mad, but I was broke and had no base!! *fail justification*

    I just got a sample of Origins exfoliator too, my 2nd because I can't afford that yet as it's £31...

    I'm going to stop before drop myself in it even more.
    eek.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have often wondered if people could do the rounds and get enough samples to last them a while, at least I do not look too bad now! he he
      We have all been there though when funds are low x

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  2. Defiantly usuful, I wasted on so many foundation (lacome) that weren't my skin tone and by the end of the day I had more foundation on my shirt than I did on my face. Also samples defiantly helped me compare MAC to Clinique and I'm defiantly a Clinique girl lol

    KimberlyLove.net

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    Replies
    1. It is definitely a good way to compare two brands before buying, I find that not all companies give samples for you to take away to try (they would rather do a colour match for you there and then)so it can be difficult sometimes

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  3. I love samples, if I like a product enough I will go back time and time again to buy it so really I think companies should give out more samples instead of being a little guarded :)

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    Replies
    1. I agree, I have bought based on a sample before but equally it can put you off too so maybe that's another reason why companies are a bit guarded

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  4. Totally useful, you get to try out products before you invest in them which could really save you money!
    xx

    xoxo Bree
    The Urban Umbrella

    http://www.theurbanumbrella.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nothing worse then paying out for a product which is no good for you, especially when you have been really looking forward to buying it!

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  5. I love samples. A lot of them I admit are a waste but it's a fun way of trying new products and sometimes it has helped me determine whether a product is right for me or not and saves a lot of money
    Beauty Fiends Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is fun and you do get to try products you would never even of thought of trying

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  6. Being an former counter girl, there are objectives to having those samples and that is to make money. We are also targeted on how many bums on seats we get and how much per a bum spends. I found it soul destroying spending all that time with someone who clearly just wanted the freebie. The consultants also think sampling is a waste of their time as we could be missing someone who is actually interested in the product and would want one of our limited (sometimes we would only get 20 odd being a small account) samples. Just my two cents from the other side. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can image that would be so annoying, and I suppose your samples become precious to you as you have to decide when to give them out. But as a consumer I think it would be better to have more samples or larger ones so that we can give it a proper try

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    2. They really should make more of them so everyone has the availablity. This will reduce they whole sample hoarding by BA's. It's a double edged sword at the end of the day. x

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  7. I think sometimes freebies are great if you do genuinely want to try a product out before buying a product like a foundation as sometimes £20-£30 can be a lot to spend on a foundation just from swatching it out. It actually needs trying on the face beforehand :)

    Charlee
    http://charmedcharlee.blogspot.co.uk/
    xxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, you have to have a genuine interest rather than just randomly asking for samples because they are free

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  8. I think samples are worth it if they are a decent size for you to try a few times and see how you really feel about the product. Sachet samples wind me up. They are useless!xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know! they are pointless, I don't even bother using them now unless its something I really want to try

      Delete
  9. You are right.. for products like lipsticks/blushes/perfumes.. I'll go with smaller samples but for skin care products I'd go for a decent sized sample or no sample at all.

    http://fabiliscious.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too, you need more product and time to know if it's the right skin care for you

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  10. You raise an interesting point!

    For products which hold a high price tag there needs to be an adequate sample size! In my personal experience, Clarins, Dermalogica, Khiel's and Estee Lauder (in respect to foundations) give excellent samples! Especially Clarins!!

    In terms of skincare with respect to skin sensitivity, I believe any sample size is good - because one application is usually enough to see if you will react to a product.

    In terms of foundation - I believe the same thing. From one application you can see how your skin reacts, the lasting power, colour and finish of a foundation.

    Overall, especially in these economic times companies should definitely not hold back with handing out Samples!

    http://aaayjayy.blogspot.com.au/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had never thought about it in terms of sensitivity testing, your right you would not need a lot of product to know if it gives you a reaction

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  11. I buy often the prodcuts that I used to have once because I'm sure that they don't give me a reaction ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. ooh i love the background you use in your photos too :-)

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  13. Wow that Clarins sample is massive!
    I think it is a fineline...if it's makeup I think a small sample is fine. If it's skincare a generous sample is more appreciated. Like youv've said, it's better to trial such things over more than one application.

    Retailers in Australia are so stingy though - they're so suspicious of you if you ask for samples, and yet you can't return products if they don't work for you. So either way the consumer loses.

    ReplyDelete

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