Let's Talk: Drowning in Samples


HELP.

Some days I feel like I am just drowning in all the samples I have, drowning I tell you, and I am sure I am not alone here, everything from serums, moisturisers, makeup AAAAH - all in teeny form. But are they helpful? Or a complete waste of time?

I have found they seem to be sprung on you like little invaders whenever you buy anything - never wanted or needed, thrust upon you at the till - with a "I'll pop a few samples in there too"

I can see why at times they would be very useful, but it seems whenever I actually want to try a product the sample sizes are no where to be seen, like gold dust - yet there is always endless supplies of MAC mini mascaras and sachets of primer.

Some brands offer miniature versions of products (Typically skincare) and they are fab for travelling - but even then the amount of Travel Size minis I have been given is enough to keep me going for a year without buying any full sizes. Just way TOO MANY.

It has gotten to a point where I feel guilty about buying a full size skincare item because I know I have several hundred miniature versions of the same product, or similar at home... just hundreds of samples going to waste...

I'm not saying I hate all samples - I don't. I love the mask ones - they are fab for a quick skincare fix, I love the bigger ones of makeup remover, or the eye cream. The Keihl's ones are HUGE and leave you not needing anything for months, or the ones half the size of a full size - YES PLEASE! :)

I just hate the sachets. They are so messy, they are impossible to store, they either have too much or not enough, and its just something I would rather not feel guilty about not using.

And I know, we could just bin them, but too many brands have given them as a "When you spend £50 you get Samples" type of deal - where you feel like they have value - worth. When really if you walked in and said "I wish I could try that" They would give you a sample no questions asked...

I think they key to remember with them is that the counters are given a set amount a month to give away - they have no value to them, so shouldn't be seen as an incentive or reward - and no, it isn't just a blogger thing - I have always been drowning in them.

Maybe next time I might try saying no - please no samples. Unless I actually want to try it of course.

Maybe I'm alone here in my sample hatred - but maybe not? What is your thoughts on them? Do you like them? Which ones? Let me know in the comments below :) 

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34 comments

  1. 110% agree with you about this!! The half size ones are great and a perfume one is good cause you can make sure you like it but tiny packets and that just fed up with!

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  2. Oh man! I am so with you. Foil packets are just useless. Right now I have a few that hold high end foundation. I can't even cover my face with the amount of product in them! Deluxe samples I can categorize and use as I run out of other things. I have attention span issues with products so I like to try new things. But I need at least a couple of weeks of product to tell if it is useful. I think we should all decline those tiny packets!

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  3. I always keep mine in a basket and then give to guests or take on trips x

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  4. I keep mine in a glass jar in the bathroom and do take them with me when I go away x

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  5. I agree! The ones I want are not there and the knes I don't, I have 1000s to spare. It's the most infuriating to be offerred a sachette when buyibg for £50+ and hear 'well this is expensive'. Really? Am I going to buy a product after trying 1ml of it? No I won't. Ever! Lol

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  6. I actually love a free sample! Especially when they're CT ones or for a foundation as I always find it difficult getting my shade spot on. I do have a huge stash though that I need to use up.

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  7. I'm the same. I always have tonnes of samples everywhere. Most of which sit there for months and then get thrown! I should use them more! X

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  8. I can totally relate to this! I've praticised saying "no thank you" when offered until I use a lot of mine up! X

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  9. I agree the samples sit there making you feel guilty for not using them. Then when you do open them they make a total mess x

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  10. Yes, I agree. Why they just can't you give samples of products you actually want. Wouldn't be everything easier?

    Michelle Morchella

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  11. I love samples but I have too many I am not going to use, a company once sent me some baby shampoo (?), baby lotion and some other products not suitable for me. I keep all miniatures and samples in a large basket, I need to go through them and throw some away.

    Yiota
    pinkdaisyloves.blogspot.com

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  12. I used to have loads of samples but now I try to use them straight away, put them away for holiday or pass them on x

    Heather | Of Beauty & Nothingness

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  13. Ha ha - just say NO! < although sometimes it's hard too. I have a big box of samples and sachets for the sole purpose of holidays but like you, I just end up accumulating way more than I use! I also bag them up and give them away when I know I'm never going to use x

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  14. I know what you mean, I have a box full of samples that come with orders and I sometimes feel like I will never get through them. I think I might just pass a few onto friends and family x

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  15. I absolutely loved this post, I have way too many samples that sit around never being used. The products I actually really want samples of I can never seem to get hold of. That being said I have had a couple which were a decent size and have resulted in me loving a product, but those small satchels, not so much. I need to use some up!

    Kristy | www.thevioletblonde.com

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  16. Ah I'm totally with you on this! I have SO many samples and as much as I do love them (sometimes) they're just so messy! And I always seem to have loads of ones I don't actually want or need and can't actually get my hands on things I'd want to actually try...if that makes sense?! It just seems a pure waste to throw them in the bin too so I just hold onto them all!
    Chantelle x
    The Girl In The Tartan Scarf

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  17. I personally like to save mine for when I'm traveling or for when I have guests!

    xo, Liz
    http://lipstickandconfetti.com

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  18. I've never been one to have loads of samples at home just stashed away, it's something I'd actually really like though, is that strange? Just the option of having something new to try and play with. I get what you mean about sachets though, you kind of have to use the whole thing up in one go. You know I'm here if you want to offload any haha!
    Charlotte / Charlotte's Picks

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  19. Some samples I love to get especially Urban Decay ones, they send you around 3 samples per order. The samples are always a good size too. I hate those samples where you can't even get one use! I got a sample of the Charlotte Tilbury foundation as it came with an order I made but the sachet doesn't even do one full face!

    www.EmmysBeautyCave.com

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  20. I had literally hundreds of beauty box samples that I never used. I cancelled the subscriptions and sent it all to charity

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  21. I don't like the little shampoo samples and the one use ones, and just don't think you can get a good idea of how the work that quickly. On the other hand I love mascara and skincare one for traveling.
    Great Post!
    A Sparkle Of Grace

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  22. I felt the same until I had to fly a lot - the sachets then come is so handy as they don't weight my bag down (when I only have carry on luggage) but give me enough moisturiser etc for one night - same with fragrance vials. I do have to admit though this only works out when it is products I know and enjoy otherwise I don't really touch sachets x

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  23. I save samples for when I go away (they're so handy!) or I pass them on!

    Georgia x
    www.georgiahathaway.co.uk

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  24. I have a whole box filled with sachets, I always think yeah I will use them but then with skincare you don't really get the full effect with it! I need to just try and use them more often!

    Cass | CassandraMyee

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  25. I only like samples if you get a decent amount. Like if you get a sachet of shampoo that isn't even enough for one strand of hair it does my head in! But if they are a good size I like to keep them for holidays as they make perfect travel sizes x

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  26. Hahahaa...as a fellow sample hoarder I totally get this post. I am always desperate to get the samples but I rarely use them. Sachets are way too messy and seem like so much effort to use xxx
    UmmBabyBeauty

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  27. You're right - it's primers, eye creams and masks that get handed out like crazy. I don't use primer so they're no good to me! And with an eye cream or moisturiser, a sample isn't going to give me enough to know whether I want to buy it or not.

    Morgan | Hyacinth Girl

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  28. Haha samples annoy me a lot too, they just add clutter. Except I love sample mascaras, LOVE them, perfect for travel and tossing into my coat pocket. Great post Erin xxx

    ALittleKiran | Bloglovin

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  29. I work for one of the big premium skincare brands and we only sample to customers that have a consultation or recommendation for products they want/need to try. I have shopped at other brands and get given samples of products I don't even need and it is a waste as that sample can go to someone who really wants or needs to try it!
    Great Post!

    Pinar | www.beautybakingbella.com

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  30. I have so many minis but for some reason whenever I need to pack for a flight I can't find the ones I need!

    Gemma x | flutterandsparkle.com

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  31. I don't mind a decent sample but I can't be doing with sachets, they're so hard to open and so messy too, but nice sized samples I love for taking away on holidays xxx

    Zoe ♥ MammafulZo

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  32. I hate sachets too! It's the most unpractical thing ever. Especially for hair products, when you've got wet hands and try to open them and use the right amount of product. If all brands packaged their samples correctly, it would be life-changing haha! However I kind of wish I was drowning in samples, especially for skincare. If you want to get rid of yours, let me know haha :P

    Julia x
    Last Post: A Holiday in Rome, Italy | http://juliaspeaksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/roman-holiday-pt1.html

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  33. I'm so with you on sample sachets. They just don't work!

    www.upyourvlog.com

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