Today I would like to talk with you about samples…
Do you like them? Do you think it’s a good strategy to give us samples? What kind of samples do you like the best? What size do you think they should be? Have you ever bought anything if you liked the sample? If you do, what was the last thing you’ve bought?
Some samples I’ve found inside my makeup bag
Here are just some of my thoughts and I’d really love to hear yours!
As for myself I really love samples! In fact I think it’s a great way of trying new products and I think that every brand should put at least one sample with an order; it is also nice when you can choose.
I like the samples of primers , foundations and perfumes the best and I think that you should be able to use it at least 3 times to make sure if you like/dislike the product.
And, yes, I’ve bought products because of a good sample several times and the last thing was YSL perfumes.
I agree, I love samples! (thanks for the ones you sent me!) Perfume and lipstick/lipgloss ones are my favorite because they contain enough to use for 2-3 times which is enough to decide if you want it or not. On the other hand, cream and lotion (generally skin care) samples do not contain enough to really see the difference on your skin so I wish they were bigger. I like Vichy, they offer good quantity because samples come in tubes (5 uses) and Clinique 3-step soap (5+uses and it’s sooo cute). Yes, I have bought products because I liked the samples and I’d do it again. 🙂
You are welcome 😉
I agree about skincare, it should be at least 5 ml. I don’t think that I ever bought a skincare products because of a sample.
I’m not really sure. I know they cost a lot of money to the manufacturers and as such, I think they should be given smartly by the SA’s instead of being randomly thrown in bags. You have no idea how many samples I get for skincare for deep wrinkles even though I’m 33 and hardly have fine lines. Hence, money wasted for the company.
This is why it’s nice when you can choose. This is funny because most of the skincare samples I get are for mature skin and I am not even 30 yet (and those products are the most expensive so why do they always give those?!).
I never remember to use my samples…..the only ones that I consistently use are perfume samples, I put them in my purse and can spritz it on later whenever I feel like it. otherwise they get lost in the abyss that is my makeup drawer, never to be seen again
Haha, that happens to me sometimes, too.
I agree about perfumes. I hardly check out any new perfumes but if I get a sample and like it, in the end I usually get the 30/50 ml bottle as the result. I know a lot of people who are the same!
I love samples! I don’t have that much money to spare so I like to know i’m spending my pennies wisely!
I like the foundation ones the best, I usually need an ‘average’ colour (not too dark, not too light) and therefore it’s a good way of testing out how a product works for me! xx
I’ve actually bought 2 foundations because I loved the samples, I’ve wanted to buy one more but it was discontinued. x
I like deluxe sized samples, the kind you can get at sephora more often than not. Because I completely agree, you need to be able to use a product a few times, possible under several different conditions, before deciding to spend full price and ‘packet’ samples are just a big hassle to keep fresh and clean if they come with enough for more than one try and I keep empty jars and such around the house just for those. I also love deluxe sized samples for the travel convenience.
I totally agree! I also think it’s a nice way to be introduced to a new brand. Every brand should have a set with 4-6 deluxe samples of their best sellers, that would be so amazing!
I love samples. Currently doing Project Skincare Samples and using up my samples one by one. So far I have really liked 2 of them: Chanel Body Excellence scrub and Rituals Hand Treatment. You can read about my project on my blog: http://pleasureflush.blogspot.com/2010/11/project-skincare-samples.html
Oh , wow, you have a lot of great samples out there! And I love the idea 😉
I really like samples – they’re essential to my decision making process when purchasing an expensive item. This is especially the case for skincare, and I wish more brands could be like the Body Shop, where you can pot any item you wish to try at home. How else are you to know if it suits you or not?
I made several Lancome HydraZen purchases based on the free sample sized products I recieved after making an initial purchase past a certain value.
It’s good to try an expensive eye cream this way!
I totally agree with you? You should be able to use it at least 3 times. As wells primer, foundation,I aso have bought shampoos and conditioners because of trying a sample. Also styling products, lip sticks, tints, stains. I have wanted to try lip stains, but do not want to pay full price to find out that I do not like something. ,
Giving samples with purchas is genius, but to get to choose your sample is mega genius!
Yes, I agree. Thanks for sharing, Bobbie x
I love samples! I share the opinion that skincare samples should be larger, for at least 3 times, so that you can actually see whether your skin likes the product or not. I love the lipstick samples, but this is because I’m obsessed with lip products 🙂 Where I live, the only way to be given a sample, is to ask for it, so you always choose. Last year a Sephora was opened, and I was surprised to see what amount of samples they give! It would be a good thing if all stores did the same…
Interesting, I usually buy lipsticks based on the swatch on my hand (so I can see the colour and texture), wish I could use them on my lips but who knows who did that before…
I have the same problem, because lipsticks look different on the skin and on the lips – this is where lip samples come in. But only a few brands make them. I’ve tried a few L’Oreal lipsticks and llipgolsses and a lipgloss from Nivea.
I’ve never had a lipstick/gloss sample. Only a small version..
I do like samples, but I don’t like when I get something random. I like when they ask me what am I interested in trying because there is a big chance I’ll buy something if I like the sample. For example, I got Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Duo and UDPP sample from you (thanks again for that!) and I’ll definitely get Anastasia Brow Duo! I won’t be getting UDPP though I like it, but I hate the packaging unfortunately. :/
I also have to try skincare products before purchasing them! There are only few skincare products I purchased without trying them previously, but 95% of them I have tested before purchasing thanks to generous samples. 🙂
You are welcome and I am happy those were helpful! I agree that we should be asked but most of the time it is nice if you get at least something, I am not even talking about choosing…
I love samples and I always use them! the ones I enjoy the most are lipgloss or lipbalm and moisturizers especially in the wintertime because these two types of products have to be tested out for time lapse and fragrance and if I like the product I usually get it even if it’s a pricey product so overall I guess it’s a good deal for the manufacturer and me. Isn’t that the point? to get the consumer to buy the full size product?
Yes! So they should really ask what you want because eventually people DO buy from samples! I am the same, I buy even if it’s expensive 🙂
I like perfume samples the best. You can’t get a good impression of a perfume unless you let it develop on your skin over the course of a day, and if you want to try more than one, then you’ll need samples!
My point exactly!