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Is there anywhere that sells foundation samples?

15 replies

daffodilssoon · 14/01/2017 10:49

Following on from another thread I'm trying to find a new foundation.

Dior Star looks like it would be a good fit but before I part with £33 I'd like to try it. A lovely user on here pointed me to a website where you can work out the colour buy putting in your usual brand.

I live miles from any stockists so I did online chat with Dior who tell me I can't buy samples.

Of course they won't give them out for free but aren't they missing a trick by not selling samples?

Does such a thing exist?

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SantaClausMortificado · 14/01/2017 12:48

Why would they sell samples? It wouldn't be economic to make them because the demand would be so low. You can get your whole face made up for free at a counter and test them in the flesh.

At the very most, they would make tiny packets of tester foundation - like
they do with moisturiser.

I know you say you live miles from any stockist, but really the best thing to do is go to the counter and get them to test it on you. If you make a special trip to a department store you can try a lot in one go.

When you narrow it down to a couple you like, get them to put a streak of each on your cheek/jaw line unblended and go out into the street/get near some natural light to check the colour and blend yourself. Foundation can often look very different in natural light compared to bright department store artificial lights.

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memyselfandaye · 14/01/2017 12:51

Clinique counters are giving away 10 day sample pots of their foundations at the moment.

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SantaClausMortificado · 14/01/2017 12:53

I'm also not sure why you say " of course they won't give them out for free" because if they did make a sample that is the whole point of it.

Most high end brands will give free samples of moisturiser, perfume etc. They tend not to for things like eyeshadow, lipstick, foundation and powder because of packaging difficulties and economy of scale to test properly.


If I were you (forget about the online chat) email Dior customer services directly, explain your issue and that you'd like to test it but you can't get to a store and ask for their help and see what they say.

My experience is that high end brand customer service teams are extraordinarily helpful because they are managing the brand reputation.
Although having said that I have had Estee Lauder lipstick samples in a flat plastic pack with tiny shallow dimples of colour - like a tiny pallet that you need to apply with a brush.

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chipsandpeas · 14/01/2017 12:57

roses beauty store and the sample service sell sample pots of foundation

check roses first before the sample store as i had a bad eperience with them but other people i know who have used it with no problems

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NicknameUsed · 14/01/2017 12:59

Do you live too far from any kind of shopping centre with department stores? Most of them will put a bit of foundation in a sample pot for nothing. Does it have to be Dior?

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daffodilssoon · 14/01/2017 13:13

Thanks for the comments.
I live quite rurally. We have a Small Boots in the nearest town but the nearest shop with makeup counters is about 90 minutes.

Bobbi Brown is my usual brand and I buy the same colours over again online.
I'm keen to try this specific foundation and had hoped that I could pay P&P for a couple of samples to try at home.

It's not massively important but I do think Dior are missing a trick for the customers that don't have a local counter.

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Dawndonnaagain · 14/01/2017 13:24

Rose's Beauty Store is no longer trading.

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ilovewelshrarebit123 · 14/01/2017 13:32

Estée Lauder do a free ten day sample to try. I love double wear, it lasts all day.

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FortyFacedFuckers · 14/01/2017 13:52

I love do you need to go to the counter for a sample or can you order that online. I'd love to try double wear.

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margaritasbythesea · 14/01/2017 14:20

I live 3 hours away from the nearest beauty counter. The make up companies would make a hell of a lot more money out of me if you could send away for samples.

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Softkitty2 · 14/01/2017 14:59

Yes there is. Dont know if they do the dior star though.
www.thesampleservice.co.uk

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daffodilssoon · 14/01/2017 17:53

Don't know why I didn't think of it before, I've texted a city mate who will go to a Dior counter next week and post me a sample.

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Fairyliz · 14/01/2017 18:25

Well dior star do do samples as I got one free in a magazine and tried it and loved it.

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DressageDiva88 · 14/01/2017 21:40

eBay, in fact you can get lots of beauty samples on there

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