Makeup can seriously break the bank. Like whoa! Everyone has different ideas about what they need or like so any chance you can, getting free makeup samples by mail without purchase is like striking gold.
There’s nothing greater than scoring samples of these beauty products like foundation, concealer, and mascaras completely free. Here are seven tips to get makeup for free, or at least for a really affordable price!
1. Become a product tester and get free samples like concealer, mascara, and lip gloss.
There are tons of companies out there willing to ship you free products in exchange for your opinion or review.
Some of these sites give you free samples; others send free full-sized products. Some of these companies ask you to fill out a survey after you use their product; sometimes you’ll be put on a panel or asked to share on social media.
One of our favorites is Toluna, because you can also earn cold hard cash or gift cards.
Check out this list to get free makeup and beauty samples:
2. Sign up for rewards programs and get free birthday gifts at Sephora, Ulta, and BareMinerals boutiques.
I bet you didn’t know that you can get free makeup handed to you for your birthday.
No, not as a present from your best friend, but Sephora, Ulta and BareMinerals boutiques all offer birthday freebies when you join their rewards programs, no matter how much (or how little) money you spend.
True story, I signed up to receive BareMinerals emails and got a birthday freebie, even though I’ve never bought makeup there.
3. Use coupons and get makeup at Target for under $1.
This is a KCL classic. Want to know a secret?
Most of my makeup in my extensive collection was bought at drugstores and Target for free, or for pennies. I don’t even bother buying it anymore if it’s more expensive than $1.
For example, we just saw this deal on Maybelline Twin Expert Brow Pencils:
Buy 1 Maybelline Twin Expert Brow Pencil, 2 ct $2.99, regular price
Use one $2.00/1 – Maybelline New York Brow product (coupons.com)
Or $1.00/1 – Maybelline Product from RP 4/30
Final Price: $0.99
4. Take Advantage of Ulta’s free gifts with purchase.
If you’re a frequent Ulta or Sephora shopper: Never, ever buy makeup when you don’t get free gifts with purchase.
I mean literally, you should almost always get premium free samples all the time, so this won’t be hard to do. At any time, Ulta lists all of their free gifts with purchase on their website so don’t order before you check this out!
At Ulta I scored free BareMinerals bronzer and lip gloss with my online order. Right now they have a mystery bag of 8 premium samples when you spend $50 online. You should seriously never buy from Ulta unless they’re giving you free stuff.
RELATED: 28 Ulta Hacks That Will Save You Serious Cash
5. Take advantage of subscription boxes like Julep, Ipsy, and FabFitFun that offer a discount on your first order.
There are so many great makeup subscription boxes out there, and you get amazing beauty products at a tiny fraction of the price you’d pay in the store.
- Ipsy: $13/month. Frequently includes full-sized and sample-sized makeup products from premium brands.
- Birchbox: $13/month + free shipping for five premium beauty samples.
- FabFitFun: $59.99 every three months for over $200 worth of products for your life, beauty, and health.
- Target beauty box: $14.99/month for drugstore brand large samples.
- Walmart: $6.98/month shipped for drugstore brand makeup and beauty samples.
6. Ask for three free samples from Sephora every time you’re there.
If you don’t already shop at Sephora, this should be the reason you start hitting the store. Every time you go in, you can request three free samples of pretty much anything in the store!
The awesome Sephora employees will fill a little container with product for you to try, and it’s not a small amount of product. Choose your sample so you get the most bang for your buck, and you can get several uses out of it.
Check out our ten most surprising samples you must request at Sephora for some ideas!
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As an avid beauty enthusiast with a deep understanding of the cosmetics industry, I can attest to the fact that makeup can indeed be a costly investment. However, there are numerous strategies and insider tips that can help you acquire makeup products without breaking the bank. Allow me to share my expertise on the concepts discussed in the article, offering insights into each approach:
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Becoming a Product Tester:
- Becoming a product tester is a fantastic way to receive free makeup samples. Many companies are eager to send products in exchange for honest opinions or reviews.
- Toluna, mentioned in the article, stands out as a reputable platform where users can not only get free samples but also earn cash or gift cards by participating in surveys.
- Other notable platforms for free makeup samples include PINCHME, CrowdTap, Influenster, BzzAgent, Glamour Glam Spotters, Vogue Insiders, and InStyle Trendsetters.
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Joining Rewards Programs:
- Beauty retailers like Sephora, Ulta, and BareMinerals offer enticing birthday freebies through their rewards programs.
- Signing up for email newsletters or joining loyalty programs can lead to receiving free makeup gifts on your birthday, regardless of your purchase history.
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Utilizing Coupons for Affordable Purchases:
- Employing coupons can significantly reduce the cost of makeup products. The article highlights the use of coupons to purchase makeup at Target for under $1.
- Keeping an eye on deals and discounts at drugstores and major retailers can lead to substantial savings on makeup items.
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Taking Advantage of Free Gifts with Purchase:
- Stores like Ulta often offer free gifts with purchase, encouraging customers to buy more while receiving additional products at no extra cost.
- Checking the retailer's website for current promotions is crucial to maximizing the benefits of free gifts with purchase.
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Exploring Makeup Subscription Boxes:
- Subscription boxes like Julep, Ipsy, Birchbox, FabFitFun, Target Beauty Box, and Walmart offer an affordable way to discover new beauty products.
- These subscription services provide a mix of full-sized and sample-sized makeup items, allowing subscribers to enjoy a variety of products at a fraction of the retail price.
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Requesting Samples at Sephora:
- Sephora, a beauty haven for many, allows customers to request three free samples every time they visit the store.
- This is an excellent opportunity to try out different products before making a purchase, and the generous sample sizes ensure multiple uses for each product.
In conclusion, these strategies collectively offer a comprehensive guide to obtaining makeup for free or at highly affordable prices. By strategically combining these approaches, beauty enthusiasts can build an extensive collection without straining their budgets.
