How To Score High-End Makeup Freebies

While I generously gave free cosmetics samples to anyone who asked when I was behind the counter, some department store makeup counters would rather see a sale before giving up the goods. However, you can leave a counter with new makeup and more money left in your pocket for other fabulous buys.

Not all cosmetics counters have free samples, but many do. My suggestion is to hit up all your favorite counters with a different technique. Take $15-$30 to spend for good measure; not all makeup counters are overflowing with samples so you may have to buy a lip gloss to get a freebie or make the minimum purchase for a free gift.

I’m going to share some tips you can use to score yourself some high-end makeup freebies!

How To Score High-End Makeup Freebies

• Save your money for the Gift. Many cosmetics counters seasonally offer free beauty bags for a minimum purchase – it’s called Gift With Purchase. This is a jackpot. By spending around $30 – my suggestion is to invest in good skincare – you can receive freebies like makeup bags, brushes, lipsticks, eyeshadows, and even sample sizes of expensive creams from your favorite lines! Many women make a habit of waiting to buy for Gifts to build up their cosmetics arsenal.
  • Lancome and Estee Lauder offer some of the best Gift With Purchase freebies, including makeup bags, mini sizes of luxury skin creams, full-size lipsticks, mascara, and even lip gloss. Clinique often gives away $50 worth of freebies for spending only $22! Don’t miss out on those Gifts!
• Get on the client list. How can you get the inside scoop on upcoming Gifts? Ask to be added to the client list of your favorite cosmetics counters and they will call you when Gifts are happening and for other cool events. Clarins (famous for skincare and self tanners) hosts an event where you can get free facials for a minimum purchase, and Clinique often has events where you can play around with makeup and take home some freebies for attending.
• Sit down for a makeover. Pick a cosmetics line that you like and visit their counter for a free makeover. That’s right: makeovers are always free. Choose a counter or day where there’s not too much traffic; it’s courtesy not to take away from other customers for a 15 minute makeover in which you may not be buying anything. I would suggest taking at least $15 with you to buy a lip gloss – or if you’re broke, an eyeliner pencil sharpener at least. At the end, tell the beauty advisor that you’re really picky about [mascara, lipstick, etc] formulas and would like a sample to try before you buy. More than likely they’ll have something you can use. If not, you still got a free makeover and learned some new makeup techniques!
• When all else fails, be a damsel in distress. You ran out of mascara and you desperately need some to hold you over until you replenish. Or, you just want to score some free high-end mascara. Approach your Lancome counter – they have the best mascara – and let them know that you’re out of your old stuff and want to try something new before you buy. Voila! You have a free, petite-sized high-end mascara to slip in your pocket or handbag.

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