Where can I get small beauty product samples?

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I'm sick of paying £15-£20 for a foundation or other beauty product I've tried (on my hand!) in store only to get it home and find out that I'm allergic to it, or it really doesn't suit me etc.
And I'm not really near anywhere that does those beauty makeover services in store where they try to fleece you afterwards
Why do manufacturers not sell tiny trial versions of stuff?

It's a big bugbear of mine. If I find the right foundation, I'll be a customer for life!

Best bet is to go round beauty counters, get to know them and ask. However last time I did that I did have to have a girl put it on my face. I took it home too. Sadly it looked awful! I see it as a long-term project. Sometimes if you bring your own little pot they might let you squeeze a bit in.

But would love to know if there's a good way. Some places like Lookfantastic etc let you choose small free samples when you order but it's a lottery what you're offered.

I recently ordered samples and small decants for a bunch of foundations and tinted moisturizers on ebay. They arrived quite quickly and it has been really helpful. I probably spent about £30 on about 6 different shades and formulations, but I have definitely got a couple of do and don't buys out of it.

If you buy a make up/skincare product from boots and it gives you an allergic reaction, they will let you return it and give you a refund.

I know it's not helpful on the samples bit but handy to know!

I feel the same about hair dye, I'd love it if they came with testers. I'm never sure how much to use as a skin test

Thanks! I didn't know that.

Ebay! Type in whatever it is and sample and usually something comes up

Take a look at the sephora website. You can pick 5 samples for £3.95. They do some foundation samples ( - very small choice, but nevertheless) , skincare, haircare... The only negative is that you can only order the samples once a month, haha. 😁 They also do one-off beauty boxes, no need to subscribe, for 13.95 or so. Maybe you find something there? 😃

Estée Lauder counters will always give you a little bottle to take home, usually two shades. Try them?

If you take your own small pots, most places will give you a couple of samples. Also try Charlotte Tilbury who offer free online video consultations where their staff will advise on colour and type of foundation.

If you take your own small pots, most places will give you a couple of samples.

Yep, this

My DD works for CT and while I wouldn't tell her I'm not mad on the products, they are very good with online appointments and will foundation match in store too. She only needs to look at somebody and knows exactly what will match. They are very well trained.

Ebay. This week I bought a Laura mercier sample,.an hourglass primer sample and a diptyque perfume sample.

Space NK
Sephora
Big branches of M&S

Look fantastic do a subscription where you get a beauty box every month. It’s full of samples. I did the 3 month one for about £11 a month. I got loads of goodies to last me ages.
www.lookfantastic.com/offers/beauty-box/monthly-box.list?thg_ppc_campaign=71700000064124941&adtype=&product_id=&gclid=Cj0KCQiAx6ugBhCcARIsAGNmMbhgVziYPlHKxVRrHE1A3VTeDLUoZTAEFI8hd2x7mE0w91yyy86zruEaAqeMEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I ask for samples in store for both High end moisturiser (le mer) and foundations from everyone. Estee lauder are esp good for samples I found. I just ask and sat I have sensitive skin and most foundations oxidise on me

Space NK will give you a small sample to take home if you ask.

Estée Lauder, Chanel and No7 have all given me foundation samples. I’ve also just had a couple of sample cards of Lisa Eldridge’s foundation, £2 for 4 shades. Benefit and Erborian do travel sizes of their most popular products too.

Space NK.also let you try and return things, they will give credit rather than a refund tho.

I second the beauty box recommendation, my favourites are Look Fantastic (linked above) and Glossybox UK, but there are loads of them, more each time I google!

www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/gallery/best-beauty-subscription-boxes-uk