On the cheap: How to score free stuff at the beauty counter

by Lauren Greschner (Subscribe to Lauren Greschner's posts)
Aug 19th 2007 6:42PM

I'm not a big makeup person but I readily admit that I love expensive face and eye creams. I'm not proud to say that I don't even know if the pricey products do their job any better than cheaper brands available at local drug stores. I just like to think that they do.

Like a lot of you out there, while I enjoy trying out the fancy beauty counter creams and elixirs, I can only afford them once in a while as a treat. According to this though, there are ways to get the most out of your visit to the department store beauty section, and sometimes you can even get stuff cheap or even for free.

The complimentary gift with purchase is a personal favorite because you usually only have to spend $30 or $40 and get to try a number of high-end beauty goods. Also, as the article points out, a number of makeup companies like MAC offer cheap or free skin care evaluations and makeup applications, while others will allow you to try a free sample of a specific product you're interested in (my weakness is eye cream) before you commit to an entire bottle or jar.

For more information, as well as some beauty counter do's and don'ts, read the entire piece here.

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Comments (12)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Suzy 8-25-2007 @ 4:40PM

I love getting expensive, good quality make-up free also! However, it's pretty hard for me to score free make-up in a department store. For instance, at my local Macy's, there are NEVER women standing around, looking for customers to just hand out free make-up to.... I usually have to buy something to get something else free...

Juile 8-25-2007 @ 4:40PM

When shopping at higher end cosmetic stores if you don't like a product after getting it home you can return it no questions asked. That is something that you can't do at a pharmacy type store. Most higher end stores will take the time to show you how to use the product and give you free samples. You just have to ask. I live for free things....all of my travel carry on items are from higher end cosmetic counters and were free....always ask for 2 or 3...you can never decide how your skin will react or if you will like it after one use. Don't forget your perfume samples as well....if they don't have the little factory made samples...ask them to make one for you....I always pick up my "new" favorites when they hit the shelves. Happy sample shopping.

gayle 8-26-2007 @ 1:45PM

You don't have to buy expensive cosmetics!! You can buy wonderful lower priced cosmetics at your neighborhood drugstore! They work just as well...and many drug stores will take them back no questions asked if you don't like it for any reason. (This is to encourage people to stop ripping open products to try them in the store!)
The very most important thing you can do for your skin is always use an SPF of at least 15. It really works, I have done that faithfully for years and although I am 54, many people don't think I am even 30 years old. And I have never used expensive cosmetics! I swear by CVS!

belle layne 8-26-2007 @ 3:35PM

i don't believe in any of you becuase the best makeup is bare minerals and i am only 12 and i use the best makeup in the world and to tell ya it is cheap to so i beat ya at both of them

susie 8-26-2007 @ 3:35PM

I've always told my girls, 24 & 25, to treat themselves to 2 things in life.....quality skin care products (department stores and drugstores are both great) and quality underwear. I didn't start doing that until my 40's and now I'm 57 and my skin doesn't look as good as it could.

rita pritchard 8-25-2007 @ 10:16PM

I refuse to use any skincare that contains parabens or preservatives especially since I found the greatest one around--so great that it is now being difficult because it is on backorder -- but I bought 8 full sets when I had the chance and have 3 full sets left--no preservatives, no parabens, no perfumes, no colorants--wonderful products!! And I'm 59 next month and no one has any idea (and its not genetics every female in my fam has awful skin!! so you can email me at catbell7 and I'll tell ya about it!!

KARIN 8-25-2007 @ 7:18PM

Looking from their point of view, I can't really blame them for not wanting to just give out samples to ANYONE, whether they buy or not in department stores. These counters get very limited supplies of free stuff, and if they just gave away their free stuff to all the, "trick-or-treaters", they would have nothing left to give to paying customers. There are a lot of sample shoppers just collecting samples to sell on E Bay too, as I have seen on the listings.

dracines 8-25-2007 @ 7:33PM

Interested in good skin care products that are not too expensive?

www.arbonne.com

Discover the difference. Contact me if you are interested!

renee 8-25-2007 @ 7:50PM

FYI, I work at Walgreens (but in the pharmacy) and one day I was asked to do cosmetics, and WOAH!! There were so many samples behind the counter and it made me wonder if the persona that normally works the counter hands them out. So while it was my turn, I was handing out samples with every sale. So, ask the person behind the counter, there are plenty at Walgreens; eye cream, moisturizer, cleanser, and in all different brands. I loaded myself up, too!

Carolyn 8-25-2007 @ 9:11PM

The only difference between the high end and the low end is that the high end adds a few different things that does not affect the product. The basic ingredients are the same. The high end one might have a scent.

Ana 8-26-2007 @ 10:20AM

When you go to a store, you can get a sample, but you don't get to try the whole line and then decide. And, if you don't like it, sometimes they do not take it back, or only give you store credit. With Mary Kay, not only do you get to try our products FOR FREE, you get samples if you want them, you can have your friends over and get the products for free or half off, and if you don't like them, guess what? We have 100% gurantee! If you are interested, contact me at www.marykay.com/aalley1992

patricia 8-27-2007 @ 2:51PM

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