I like mini perfume bottles because they’re cute, but I tend to skip samples otherwise. I find I just don’t use them up 🙁
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I love samples bc I take the mini versions to travel or to the gym. I like deluxe skincare samples and mini versions of blush / bronzer / highlighter / powder. I love mini eyeliners too.
Definitely anti-aging and skincare products for me! Plus, generous enough of a sample to get a real feel for the product!
Also, love checking out new fragrances as well. Having received a bunch recently, I really one I’ve been trying by Tori Burch.
*really LOVE one by Tori Burch! Aaaarrrgh!!!!! At myself!
Yessss!!!!! Nancy so over the top with Tory Burch. I received a sample with the makeup I ordered and am loving it too. I love getting skincare and face wash. Also shampoo and conditioner. Not really fragrance samples, because I am very sensitive to scents. Also enjoy blushes and bronzers. I pack all these goodies away for when we leave for our vacations. I don’t really care for the makeup, because I only use certain foundations and eyeshadow. Maybe mascara is ok. Whatever I don’t use I pass off to my granddaughters. They love this stuff.
I am with you, Nancy. I can fully test a shadow or concealer at a store but it takes a few days [nights] worth of skincare to get a proper opinion. Although Nordstrom will always take a return, I would rather test drive skincare for free. I usually end up spending so it works out.
Your so lucky you can return stuff. We cannot return make up or skin care here in Australia, and if the rep doesn’t have a sample at the counter then you take a big chance and buy after just one go
Mascaras and anti-aging serums. I have enough deluxe sample backups to never have to spend actual money on them for at least the next 2 years!!
I’m the opposite, I don’t like perfume samples at all… I know how most of the famous perfume smell like, and frankly I’m the type to hold onto a signature scent, so I always throw those samples away it’s so wasteful.
I like getting skincare samples, for brands / products I am interested in buying anyway, especially when there’s more than one sachet. A lot of my skincare were purchased after finishing samples. I find they generally last at least quite a few days and help my decisions.
I don’t like it when some stores give me random foundation samples…
I’m starting to really dislike perfume samples. I’m really picky with what I like and I tolerate less and less bc of allergies!
Makeup samples are my favorites! Travel-size mascaras are a great way to test a new formula, and mini lipsticks or eyeshadows are great for travel.
As much as I love skincare, I prefer perfume samples too. Skincare never seems to be enough to really try the product.
Mini cleansers/eye makeup removers; perfume; mini mascaras.
ooh Mini mascaras are good. last year I only had minis through points and samples so I never had to buy a full size lol
I also don’t care for skincare samples. I would love trial sizes of cosmetics, love perfume samples, and would love the option to by skincare samples in a meaningful size (aka travel sizes) but I hate the little packets. The product feels different, there’s not enough to try to see how it will work, and they’re not recyclable. Plus it’s always some random thing. No thank you.
Definitely mascara!
It’s not very adventurous of me, but I like getting samples/minis of products I already own/know. That way I can take ’em with me on short trips instead of the full-size product and not risk anything.
I don’t like any at this point bc I have too many. I hate mini perfumes bc usually you get horribly floral scented ones. I prefer skincare ones. I have enough primers to last me quite some time!
Deluxe samples! I’d rather have 1 multi-use tube of something than 10 or 20 packets of different things, because you really can’t get a good experience of the product with those darn packets. Among single use I usually choose the perfume samples first, then skincare, then makeup (I find makeup cards basically useless) I have 2 quart-sized ziplock bags full of purfume vials at this point…
I LOVE mascara samples… And I get super excited when I receive them, haha.
Mascaras! I have one high-end mascara in my stash that I’ve purchased, but I’ve been using just high-end samples for about two years now because I’ve received so many samples! I also like primer samples because I like trying new ones and having small sizes of my favorites to travel with. And I guess for the same reason, I like getting cleanser samples because I hate bringing a bottle of cleanser when traveling.
Same for me. I like perfume samples since you can mix up scents easily and find great options. The scent will be the same in any bottle. Whereas with things like mascara and lipsticks samples sometimes the compression and presentation can change up product performance. Samples cause a lot of waste and I don’t like using skin care ones since you can’t get a feel for how it works that quickly.
I like what GWPs experimentation affords, so brands and product types I’ve not tried before are the most welcome. I have several items in my repertoire that came from samples. I’d say the only thing I don’t like is samples for LE products, and I tend not to use the perfumes.
I like getting hair treatment or styling samples. I’m not so great when it comes to hair so I’m always looking for something that tames my frizzy/curly hair.
I too love mini perfume bottles or samples. I have a tiny drawer full off tiny parfume samples which helps me to figure out the scents I am allergic to and what to buy.
Other than that, eh I don’t care for the samples. I rarely would ever use them.
I like makeup samples best, I’m pretty particular about fragrance so most of those samples are thrown away. I love getting lip gloss and mascara samples as I generally will use those up. I’m not a fan of receiving moisturizer/cream/serum skincare samples, I won’t put something I’m unfamiliar with on my face, and usually end up rubbing them on my hands and feet before bed just to use it up. I do however enjoy receiving a sample of a face mask or exfoliator!
I like mascaras and lipsticks because I rarely use a full size one. I also like eye cream but I’m burned out on other skincare like moisturizers and serums.
I’ll take any kind of sample, as long it’s a product I would consider buying or I previously tried (I’m usually consulting beautypedia and only use products with good ingredients and without any irritants). They are great to have around for travelling or if I forget to buy a refill (or the order does not arrive in time). If there are exceptions, definitely these are blush, bronzers, eyeshadows.
I like to get foundations and concealers just because I get more sense out of the shade and coverage. Mini eyeliners are mascaras are just as good as full sizes, especially since you only get 2-3 months of use from them.
Skincare items I could pass and I would probably get my full sized bottles when travelling (I have a round-up routine), but body and hair care products are great to have in small packaging.
Considering the offers Sephora has, I never need to buy a full bottle of perfume. I can try out new flagrance and as I can select the samples I get, I can always try again a favorite. Also, with Sephora and MAC online samples, I could also never buy mascara again; just get a new sample every 1-2 months.
I love getting cosmetics like eyeshadow or lipstick.
I do like perfume samples so I can try many without committing since they can get quite $$. Skincare is nice too, it’s an essential so for sure it’ll get used up. I do wish however that waterproof mascaras get included in samples because I can only wear waterproof and I end up having to throw them out because it just doesn’t work for me ?
Legitimate mini size products – not anything that comes in a foil or on paper. These include the mini size tubes of UB primer potion, the smaller versions of KVD lipsticks (both studded kiss and liquid), small pans of eyeshadow, half size mascaras, etc. They have enough product to give you a good try before you buy and/or are great for traveling when space is limited.
Anything one use is pointless. I just can not tell in one use if I like something, especially if it’s cleanser, moisturizer, or eyeshadow. I also really dislike getting perfume samples unless it’s a Sephora points option from a brand I like. But surprise perfume samples? Right in the garbage.
Favorite of all time? Half size UD 24/7 liners in bright colors. I would honestly buy them if the company sold them.
I loveeeeee samples! It let’s me try a product before I purchase it. I like perfume and skin care samples.
I usually always pick up whatever number of samples I can get and usually try to get perfumes and moisturizers. I love skin care samples but overall find there usually isn’t enough product to give me a real feel for how it would work but with moisturizer’s I can usually tell pretty quickly if it is going to be moisturizing enough. I have a big packet of samples and when looking through them I noted that the ones I use are the ones mentioned above.
Skincare and mascaras as long as they’re deluxe samples. A few perfume samples are ok too because I throw them in my purse & go.
Deluxe samples of skin care serums and moisturizers. Great for travel or trying out a new brand with a useful window of time to see results. I actually wish lux skin care brands would sell these sizes. Also, perfume.
My favorites are mascaras, because I’m allergic to so many. It’s saves me a lot of money to try sample sizes before buying. I also really like fragrance samples. Color cosmetic samples are also fun.
I love getting to choose skincare samples! It’s a great way to try some new or different products without having to buy a full-size product and then discover it doesn’t work for your skin. I also especially love getting mask samples, because for me, masks are a pampering thing 🙂
I know I don’t have to buy mascara for years — at least two by my calculations. I love getting those. And I love mini lipsticks. I have them stashed at work, in my gym bag, in the car.
Just about anything except for perfumes.
I like samples of pretty much anything. I love having minis (as opposed to single use foil packets) that I can take with me when we travel. I like things that come in jars and bottles because even if I don’t much like the product, I can keep and refill the bottles/jars to use when I do travel (a lot of my recent trips have been with carry on luggage so the restrictions on liquids is an issue). I also like minis of lipsticks…that’s how I discovered the VIB Rouge lipstick from Byte (no longer available), F Bomb and some of the new Byte lippies.
I like mini mascara and lip gloss samples. I pass on small sample packets and usually wait for the big gift with purchases from Space NK or Barneys. Good Stuff.
I love lip colors of different sorts, you can see if the color and consistency are good before purchasing a full size, because I’m terrible at returning things I don’t like.
I really like mini-eye pencils, mini mascaras and mini lippies.
They are perfect for just storing in my purse or work desk for days when I’m not wearing makeup but need to spruce up at the last minute for some reason. Like an impromptu happy hour after work or a last minute meeting with someone important.
My skin is in pretty good condition luckily, so a swipe of liner, a bit of mascara, and a touch of lipstick is all I need to just zush it up a bit.
Skincare…love to try new ones
Cream or serum especially for eyes because I am still looking for a really good eye product. I do not like perfume samples because there are too many perfumes I do not like.
But the best samples are products I already use so I can save money
Love getting sample fragrances but also love getting foundation or primer. While right now I am happy with what I have (Lancome Tient Idole Ultra/ Lancome Base De Maquillage Perfectrice)I am always on the lookout for something better. Even if the sample shade doesn’t match, I can test out the ease of application, finish, how long it lasts, etc.
Mascara or facial creams
I really like mini skincare samples for anti aging products – it gives you a chance to see if the brand’s products will suit your skin. I find that they are very handy when I am travelling too.
As far as makeup minis are concerned, I really only like and use mascaras. Quite often the lipstick minis are pink toned and I give them away.
In general, I don’t like samples, though if I can get a “deluxe” sample (like a mini lipstick in an actual tube) I can usually find a way to use it. Skin care samples like lotion and anti-aging treatments I keep in a box on my nightstand as a convenient and easily accessible reminder to put lotion on my hands before I go to sleep. Everything else gets thrown away. (Well, perfume samples with actual perfume in a container of some kind get left at work for whoever wants them.)
Deluxe sample size high-end skin care products. That way if it doesn’t work for me, I don’t have to waste money or time getting a refund.
Mini Mascara…. i find it really useful… dont like wasting money on a full product when i cannot use it for more than 3-4 months.
I love makeup samples! Mini mascaras, lipsticks, eye shadows, eyeliner, blush … I’d rather have those than some random fragrance or moisturizer I’ll never use.
If I’m thinking about an online order from a place like Sephora where I get to choose, I either pick items I’ve heard about specifically and want to check out, or I skip them. I might select a perfume I want to check the scent on in person if I haven’t smelled it yet, or if already liked the smell and want to check out how it wears with my pH/etc. I sometimes pick foundation or concealer samples as, while they’re basically useless as they’re always the wrong shade and don’t have enough product, they allow me to check out the consistency. Same goes for some of the lip stuff. I think the stuff I’m most likely to want would be face mask samples, as they usually give you at least one use and that’s usually all you need to figure out if it works for you.
For more deluxe samples, it varies. I like sample size mascaras over fullsize as they don’t dry out before you’re done with them usually, and I don’t mind sample size lipsticks as who ever finishes a lipstick anyways. I also quite like sample size eyeliners (I have never bought Kat Von D Tattoo Liner but I have like 4 of them XD) I recently got the CoverFX loose powder deluxe sample in my shade and that will last me ages which is great. I also got gorgeously well packaged deluxe samples of Becca Opal (pressed) and the Marc Jacobs Omego bronzer, and those are about the size of a Mac eyeshadow, so big enough to use, but small enough to be great for travel.
Skincare samples (cleansers, moisturizers, serums, etc) are invaluable for those of us who travel regularly. So much easier than schlepping leaky bottles or decanting. Most of the perfume samples are for brands more focused on marketing and celeb connections rather than great fragrance, so I generally toss those. But I never understand the foundation samples which are inevitably the palest porcelain color. Insulting to 90%+ of us.
Sunblock, lip balms especially for my long runs. Also lipsticks, perfumes.
I really love trying new perfumes so those are my favorites to receive. Skincare is also great and deluxe makeup samples!! Ok I just love free stuff with purchase❤❤❤❤
Color I can actually use.
I love all the samples!!!
What samples? I’m never offered samples, even if I ask, at stores in Marin County CA (esp. looking at you Nordstrom). Only place I’ve had luck is Barneys in nearby San Francisco. And forget Sephora. Only once in my last 8 shipments have I received the samples I selected.
I like samples. Perfume samples are nice. I just bought an eyebrow pencil from NYX and they gave me a sample of foundation. I’m actually excited to try it.