Please help me tomorrow - freebie hunting trip

[Destiny33]

I know this is very cheeky to ask but any help would be so much appreciated. I am off into town tomorrow for a shopping trip (v sad first since my son was born 2 years ago :(:D;))

I'd be so very grateful if anyone could help me with some advice on how to ask for free samples etc at beauty counters as i've never done it before and scared. If there is any chance of a link to a printable coupon for a freebie i'd be thrilled.

Off to bed now so if anyone bothers to read this and reply i would be so happy so thanks to all you lovely people in advance.

Goodnight
x

[Goodaz]

My sister often does that. She goes to somewhere like John lewis's or somewhere with beauty counters and asks if they have any samples of stuff like foundation because she wants to take it home and try on to see what matches. Also they often offer her a free booking for her to go in and see what foundation and stuff matches her. Always works!

[nellietheel]

I often find that if you mention skin allergies with other products they are more likely to offer samples to try. I have genuinely had reactions to some products and explain that I am reluctant to spend £15-£20 on a product only to find it doesn't agree with my skin type.

Of course, it is often down to your luck with the shop assistants - but you can usually spot the snooty ones a mile off.

Good luck.

[cozzie]

Print voucher, fill in and take to counter

http://www.esteelauder.co.uk/local/lc_bronze.tmpl

Visit any Estee Lauder counter to experience a one-to-one Bronze Voyage consultation that will cover everything you need to protect your skin; before, during and after exposure to the sun. Plus, take home complimentary deluxe samples of Anti-Aging Sun Lotion for Face SPF 30 (5ml sample) and Anti-Aging Sun Lotion for Body SPF 15 (15ml sample).

[sparky61]

The Body Shop are usually very generous with their samples, it's generally best to pick a particular type of product e.g. Tea Tree and then ask for samples of all of them so that you can try before you buy.
Good Luck
:)

[Destiny33]

Thank you for your help and advice :D i will hopefully come home with lots of nice goodies ;)

[elona]

Body shop will do you a make up for £10 - redeemable against cost of products- very friendly and helpful.

[jo_b]

Lush are also quite generous with samples, if you show an interest in a certain range or type of product. :)

[Caterina]

I used to do the dpeartment stores rounds and in each beauty counter I would say the same thing (but I look the part unfortunately hehe), that is: "since I started menopausal symptoms(substitute with 'turned 30/40/60 etc' or any other convincing lifestyle change also works) my skin does not react well to my old products and would like some samples of stuff better suited to my new skin issues".

I know the Lancome line very well as I used to buy it before becoming a MSE so I can discuss competently about the pros and cons of some of their (past) products. As a result I got dozens of samples in a sachet in my bathroom, probably equivalent to a couple of very expensive pots of the stuff!

Trouble is, I have since read a lot about the parabens, aluminium, triclosan and other horrors that go in these products and I have become very squeamish in using them - now I buy good quality organic products and use them in great moderation as they are very expensive - worth trying organic beauty companies for samples I suppose but they aren't as available as the Oxford Street department stores of London, the Smorgasbord of freebie cosmetic samples!

Caterina

[MonkeyGirl]

I did this for the 1st time in Lush a few weeks ago and basically I just looked at the moisturisers and cleansers. When the person asked if they could help me I explained that I have very sensitive and tempremental skin, and that I didnt want to buy something which may aggreviate me as I have no one near me to pass it onto if it doesnt work.So she gave me a bit of cleanser stuff and two little pots of moisturiser cream and also tried a clenser on my hand.

My tip would be to just be polite and just say to them if you have allergies or anything like that and say that you don't want to spend money on something that may flare up your allergies so is there any chance you could please have a sample.

This does also work on some perfumes if you aren't certain on the scent just ask if maybe they have sample. As if you spray it on and it reacts with you if your at home you can wash it off whereas if your still wondereing around town and it reacts your stuck with it till you get home.

Happy sample hunting I hope you get some nice things :).

MonkeyGirl

[Destiny33]

Thank you so much for all your help girls, i didnt think anyone would bother to reply xx

[burnham1]

i have just been to a clarins counter today (i read about it on another post on here) and they do "try before you buy" i told the lady a friend (we all are!! ) had told me about it and she asked me a few questions about my skin , 2 or 3 minutes, and then gave me a toner,cleanser moisturiser and face mask in a red fabric clarins bag to take away.
give it a go because the products are quite expensive and very nice

[sarahlouise210]

Sephora are really generous with samples if you ask them. They are kept in the drawers under the product shelves. When my mum was ill in hospital I told them that the heat in the hospital was really drying her skin and they gave me a whole bag of product samples - she is still wading through them 3 years later! Also if they do not have product samples of a product you want to try they will fill a little pot with it. When the little pot is empty you can take it in and refill it from the testers on display!

[bagpuss]

Whenever I used to buy expensive cosmetics I never ever bought anything without having a freebie makeover first of all - I would use the truth and say that you are out to treat yourself for the first time in a couple of years and then when you have the makeover done say that you would like to get a friends opinion before you buy anything, or say you want to check the colours in daylight (a sensible option anyway!).

Molton Brown are really helpful and last year even offered me a follow up free facial if I wanted to come back another time!!!

Just don't be intimadated by the assistants and remember - the freebies are there for YOU the customer!!!

Just remember to HAVE SOME FUN TOO!

[unimaginative_one]

I do this quite regularly and one good way to get samples is to ask for a particular product that you know is newly released (these are the ones you're most likely to get samples for) eg Dior have just launched Dior Addict 2 perfume

Also, I recognise the packaging for quite a few samples so if you spot it behind the counter on your way over - ask for it by name!

For perfume samples - say it's your / hubby's / mum's birthday coming up and you'd like a few samples to try before you buy. If they offer to spray on cards try the sensitive skin spiel or say you'd like to see how it 'settles' on the skin.

Good luck!

[sparky61]

How did you get on Destiny, any goodies?

:)

[Destiny33]

How did you get on Destiny, any goodies?

:)

Sadly i didnt do very well :( went to braehead shopping centre in glasgow and they dont have lush or the bodyshop. I know i shouldnt but felt very intimidated in boots.

Next time i will go into Glasgow and dress to kill for confidence and promise i will get better. Thank you all for your kindness and advice, just sorry to have been such a loser and failed :(

Guess i just need confidence but due to personal circumstances it left me about 2 years ago and it hard to get back. Anyone know a confidence shop that does freebies?ha ha

[MonkeyGirl]

Sadly i didnt do very well :( went to braehead shopping centre in glasgow and they dont have lush or the bodyshop. I know i shouldnt but felt very intimidated in boots.

Next time i will go into Glasgow and dress to kill for confidence and promise i will get better. Thank you all for your kindness and advice, just sorry to have been such a loser and failed :(

Guess i just need confidence but due to personal circumstances it left me about 2 years ago and it hard to get back. Anyone know a confidence shop that does freebies?ha ha

Sorry you didnt do too well this time. Better luck next time and I know its hard but this seems to be one of those things that the more you do it the more confidence you gain. So just dont give up yet and maybe just aviod boots next time ;) . Good luck on your next spree.

[sparky61]

Destiny you have PM.
:)

[Caterina]

Destiny next time you go to Glasgow, for a FREE treat you could book (in advance) a personal shopper in Debenhams, I did it while I was there and had a great time, it is like window shopping but the difference is that the personal shopper BRINGS you the clothes in a special lounge, to try in peace and quite.

They also offer you tea, coffee and mineral water and there is ABSOLUTELY no obligation to buy, there is no hard sell!

Then, go to all the beauty counters in Debenhams and get all the samples you can!

Good luck

Caterina

[Destiny33]

I cant thank you all enough for your kindness. Monkeygirl, Caterina and especially sparky you have all been so lovely and i am so grateful.

Thank you so much again and i'll disappear now before i get told off by a mod for not holding this conversation in the arms. Now i think of it i'll buy you a drink in there sometime to say thanks ;):D

[unimaginative_one]

Sadly i didnt do very well :( went to braehead shopping centre in glasgow and they dont have lush or the bodyshop. I know i shouldnt but felt very intimidated in boots.

Next time i will go into Glasgow and dress to kill for confidence and promise i will get better. Thank you all for your kindness and advice, just sorry to have been such a loser and failed :(

Guess i just need confidence but due to personal circumstances it left me about 2 years ago and it hard to get back. Anyone know a confidence shop that does freebies?ha ha

Don't worry hun! It took me a while to get confident enough to do it regularly. Once you've had a couple of good results there'll be no stopping you!

[jo_b]

Don't give up Destiny. :)

I went into Thorntons at the weekend. They have just launched a new range of chocolates (dessert range.)

I was just looking at the boxes when the assistant offered me a sample of two chocs. :) It would have been rude to refuse, wouldn't it. :o They were lovely, by the way.

If you do a repeat of the freebie hunting, make sure you stop off at a Thorntons. Free chocs will brighten up the experience! :) :)

Take care. Jo. x

[Destiny33]

Thanks Jo and everyone once again :D xx I cant believe how lovely you all are.

I now have a "hitlist" of shops to visit when i get up the nerve. Now Jo said the magic word of chocolate and being a well mannered girl like her i would have to accept ;)

*runs out the door to the nearest thorntons*:D