A certain well-known beauty brand has been peppering me with Instagram ads about a free foundation trial. The thing is, that trial involves ordering the product, paying for shipping, and then getting charged automatically if I don’t send it back. And, even after 10 or so emails and countless ads, I don’t know how long the trial period is. That’s problematic, because if I miss the return date, the deal ceases to be a free trial. 

Right? 

So this got me thinking about scoring free makeup and skincare samples. There are other ways to trial products without having to share my credit card number and commit to returning something I don’t want. Here are eight strategies to try. 

1. Get loyal 

Sephora Beauty Insider members have been collecting free samples for ages. Simply make a minimum purchase and take your pick of the free beauty samples available. Sephora also gifts a cosmetic product on your birthday.

You can also get free product on your birthday when you’re a member of Ulta Beauty Rewards. 

Other loyalty programs, including CVS ExtraCare and myWalgreens pay you cash rewards, which you can save and use to “buy” products you want to try like a new foundation or anti-wrinkle cream.

2. Subscribe 

Brand and retailer newsletters can keep you posted on interesting free product opportunities. To keep these emails from taking over your life, consider establishing a separate email address for them. Let them accumulate at that address until you’re ready to check in. Depending on how you manage your email, you can also set a rule to delete messages that are older than, say, two weeks. 

Try Clinique, Estée Lauder, L’Oréal, and MAC to start. These brands are known for occasionally offering welcome gifts to new subscribers.  

3. Visit events and pop-ups

Show up to new store openings and pop-up events in your neighborhood. These events are usually well-stocked with giveaway beauty products. You may also have the opportunity to meet local beauty bloggers or get a free mini makeover. 

You can keep track of local beauty events by following local stores on social media and Eventbrite. 

4. Follow influencers 

Influencers and brand ambassadors may have an inside line on upcoming events, which they’ll share with their followers. Influencers in your town are great resources for local promotions in physical stores near you. Influencers who have bigger followings may help you find online promotions. 

5. Ask at the counter

Tap the deep knowledge of the folks working at the counter in your favorite stores. They may have samples available or know when new sample promotions are coming online. This is one of the better ways to get your hands on something specific, like that anti-aging cream you’ve been dying to try. 

6. Try a beauty box 

Beauty boxes aren’t free, but they generally cost less than you would pay to buy the products outright. They work on a subscription basis. You pay a flat monthly fee and, in return, you receive a box of products monthly. Often, the sample box includes full-size products. 

Subscription boxes that feature skincare and cosmetics include: 

• Allure Beauty Box
• Ipsy
• Birchbox
• Tribe Beauty Box

7. Work the websites and apps

Several websites offer free samples by mail in exchange for honest product reviews. Just remember to take your reviewing responsibilities seriously. If you sign up for too many products and then fail to deliver on the feedback, your career as product tester will be short-lived. 

Programs and sites that offer product samples include: 

• Allure Beauty Enthusiasts
• Aveda Testing Program
• Beauty and Style Collective
• Bzzagent
• Influenster
• L’Oreal VIP
• Mysavings.com
• No7 Beauty Panel
• Pinchme
• The Pink Panel
• Tryit by Conde Nast
• Vogue Insiders

Note that I only have personal experience with Influenster and Pinchme.

8. Act on holiday promos 

Gifts with purchase and bundled gift sets are two more legit ways to get low-cost cosmetics and skincare. All you have to do is get strategic about how you use your gift budget. There’s no reason you can’t buy a thoughtful gift that also comes with a free product (that you keep for yourself). Or buy holiday sampler packs and gift the contents separately to your favorite people (including yourself). 

Macy’s and Ulta Beauty generally have a nice selection of these promos during the holiday season. 

Free beauty, on your terms 

With a little strategy, you can try new products without risking your wallet. Treat yourself, experiment freely, and let the fun of discovering your next holy-grail product be truly guilt-free.