Free Makeup Samples for the Taking

How to get free makeup samples by mail and in stores

A woman trying on a free lipstick sample
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Free makeup samples are a great way to try out new products and stretch your wallet a little bit further on your favorite makeup brands. Most of these are small samples of makeup that companies give out to promote new products or old favorites. Sometimes you'll get a postcard with some foundation samples or a vial full of a favorite product. Other times you might be able to score full-sized makeup products that you can try and give your opinion on. You'll most likely need to fit a profile in order to receive the free makeup samples.

This guide to getting free makeup samples will help you try out your favorite high-end makeup as well as the drugstore brands. You can get some of these free makeup samples by mail and some of them you'll have to head out to the store to get. There are even a few ways listed below that will get you free full-sized makeup!

Of all the free samples out there, free samples of makeup is one of our favorites to get. It's so fun to try out a new product. Plus, you can totally spoil yourself without the guilt of having to spend your hard-earned cash on more makeup.

Before you know it, you'll have your mailbox filled with free makeup samples of mascara, lipstick, foundation, eyeshadow, blush, and more.

Free Makeup Samples from the Stores

A woman trying on lipstick
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If you visit your favorite beauty store and ask for free makeup samples, such as Sephora or Ulta, you might be surprised with the stash you'll walk out with. Here are some tips on how to get free makeup samples, makeovers, and more at Sephora. There's a lot more you can get for free at Sephora other than free makeup samples.

Not only can you try out all the makeup samples you want while you're there, but they often will let you take home samples of the makeup you'd like to try out for a few days before you commit to a purchase. All you have to do is ask. Be sure to ask nicely and if you get the right associate, you might be able to come home with a bag full of free makeup samples and more.

Department store counters are also a great place to visit and ask for free samples. You can also ask for a free makeover of the makeup you'd like to try. While you're there watch out for bonus gifts that you can get when you make a purchase, which can sometimes be a great deal if you're going to make a purchase anyway.

Really, any place that sells makeup has the capability to send you home with some free makeup samples. While you're here you can try out the makeup and if you ask nicely enough, they may even give you some free sample sizes that you can take home and get a few uses out of.

Get Free Makeup Samples from Test Groups

A woman testing a foundation
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There are a few product test groups that you can join and have the opportunity to test out makeup. When you're done giving your opinion, you'll often get to get the makeup for free.

I've tested a handful of makeup from the L'Oreal Consumer Participation Panel. The surveys are usually short and you get to keep the full product after the testing is over. Sometimes they even send out bonus L'Oreal products as a gift. 

Here are a few other programs that are supposed to send out free makeup samples for you to test:

Place an Order and Get Free Makeup Samples

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If you purchase beauty products online, you're one step closer to getting some free makeup samples. A lot of beauty stores will send you free makeup samples if you place an order online as a way of saying thanks for making an order and giving you the chance to sample products you may want to purchase in the future. Here are some of my favorite makeup stores that regularly send me free makeup samples:

  • Sephora
  • Ulta
  • Smashbox
  • The Body Shop
  • L'Occitane
  • Laura Mercier
  • Bobbi Brown
  • Chanel

Just look for the option of requesting makeup samples during checkout. Some of the places even let you request specific samples of makeup, skincare, fragrances, and more. If there isn't an option online you may just be surprised when you open up your box. If you really want to make sure you get your samples, call in your order and let them know that you want some free makeup samples if any are available.

Free Makeup Samples Given Out on Facebook

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A lot of makeup companies give out free makeup samples on their Facebook page.

Find your favorite makeup companies and become fans of them on Facebook. When they have a new promotion or free makeup sample available, their Facebook fans will often be the first ones to find out about it!

More Free Beauty Samples

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If you love free makeup samples, be sure to get these free samples of perfume shampoo and beauty products.