One of the biggest disruptors of the beauty business has been sampling products. Beauty buyers today wouldn’t even dream about buying without testing, and that demand (called the ‘Sephorization’) has brought on a whole different problem. Read on to find out about it and my beauty samples declutter.
Beauty Samples: the good and the bad
I can’t remember the last time when I actually bought a beauty product, be it makeup or skincare, without testing, sampling or swatching it first. It’s a godsend, really, because it minimises the chance of ending up with a product I don’t like. (Let me also quickly remind you that returning opened cosmetics in the EU isn’t as easy as in the US, which is in itself good and bad – it really makes you think before buying a product.)
I’ve also ordered a lot of samples from places like Paula’s Choice, who offer sachets for testing purposes. While it’s good that those offers minimise the possibility of bad buys, they also produce a lot of garbage – significantly more than buying regular sized products.
A multi-billion industry
Worse, though, are those samples you automatically receive when you’re buying cosmetics, or sachets in magazines etc. And don’t get me started on advent calenders and sample boxes like Glossy or BirchBox! It’s an emerging market: In 2018, the mini/deluxe/travel-size market grew to a whopping 1.2 billion US dollars, a rise of 13% compared to the year before. Its by-products are Sephora’s point system and any sampling service that companies see as a method to gain the customer’s favour and loyalty. Here’s the kicker, though:
ONE HALF of all samples is never used and thrown away. ONE HALF!!!!!
Why don’t you just use them?
Samples I received with orders, loyalty points, and random sachets: all those come together in a box of samples languishing in one of my drawers which increasingly stresses me out. Sure, you can use samples for trips and vacation, but there’s something to say for/against that: they’re small and convenient, but do you really want to take a product on a vacation that you’re somehow hesitant to use at home?! I also usually rely on the small refillable Muji bottles that I fill with my regular skincare before each trip.
Waiting for the right occasion
You’ll know this one. Your mom might use the fancy china only on holidays, together with the silver and chrystal glassware. Your dad might hoard those ‘good’ bottles of wine, waiting for your wedding. You yourself might restrict the use of your favourite fragrance or lipstick, because it was expensive or limited edition and you think it’s only for special occasions. But which?!
Carpe diem
In my case, I wait for occasions that might not occur. I like moisturiser samples like Embryolisse for long-haul flights, but I don’t see myself travelling that much for in the next two years. So why not use them now?
I also tend to wait for the person I secretly want to be. I’d love to be the woman who uses high-end skincare. But in truth, my skin has certain requirements and is a teenage diva that’s best to pamper and not aggravate. So why do I hoard all those masks, peels, and serums I’ll never use? Because there might come a day?!
Resolution beauty samples declutter
So here’s what I intend to do: a serious beauty samples declutter!
- Every skincare sample I don’t want to use on my face will be mixed with my body care products. Shampoos or shower gel will be used as intended (quick change when I’m fed up with the options I have in the shower), or be used as brush cleanser/for laundry.
- Foundation samples will be thrown out – I own enough foundations and am definitely not in the market for a new one, so why test in the first place?
- I’ll still keep fragrance samples for the short trips I intend to do. Same with mascara samples and little hand cream tubes that always live in my handbags.
- Then, I want to decline samples whenever possible OR ask for a specific one that I know I want to test.
My drawer will be less cluttered, I’ll avoid creating mindless waste and gain some peace of mind.
This article has really opened my eyes. Like you (and most women), I love samples. I love receiving them, even for products that I have no use for. I think I’ll be doing the same as you- decline and only accept products that I am sure to use. And those that come in the mail? I’ll give it to someone who can use it. Thanks for this article!