Sample Size

Samples from Benefit // Weleda // Versace // Elizabeth Arden // Yves Rocher // L'occitane // Aveda

In a recent clearout of my bathroom cabinet I realised I had amassed quite the collection of product samples. Some of these have come from past Glossyboxes, the beauty subscription service I recently cancelled; some were from goody bags and events and some have been magazine freebies. I had made a point of saving them for holidays or travel, so much easier than decanting loads of product into travel sized bottles; but given that I usually only go on one holiday a year, it seems a bit of a waste to save them for that one occasion.

I have been using a few of them day to day, as it makes my makeup bag much lighter to tote smaller sized portions of products I like around with me each day. My handbag already feels like it has bricks in it so this is a good way of lightening it up! 

I also think that by picking up sample sizes it's a great way to introduce yourself to the product, without spending over the odds. I love Benefit but it is expensive; I used a sample of the Porefessional primer and it's only because I liked it so much that I feel it would be worth investing in the full size. Likewise the facial oil by L'occitane; it's not cheap but it was so lovely and I really noticed the great effect it had on my skin, so I would be tempted to repurchase the full size. It's really useful to be able to do this because there's nothing worse than buying a product that doesn't work for you; it's not as if you can return cosmetics so it can be such a waste of money.

You can pick up samples from beauty counters and usually they are more than willing to hand them out if you are interested in potentially purchasing the item. I always get a sample of any high end foundation before I commit to buy; I ask to be colour matched and then take a small portion away with me to try just to make sure it works with my skin and gives the coverage I require. 

It's also worth taking advantage of magazine freebies too, as sometimes they are such good value. I've got a lot of great things, such as Eyeko eyelash curlers, liquid eyeliners, Nails Inc. polishes, and Clinique lipglosses from magazine offers. I've just got a sample of the Benefit 'push up' liner free with Elle magazine, and it's the same size as the sample they sell in Boots for £9.99! Definitely worth looking out for!

XO Amie