It's All About Those Samples

   The excitement and the anticipation build up every month to receive my subscription boxes in the mail.  Just think, though, mail was becoming obsolete, a dying commodity - only bills and junk were delivered.  Now we shop online and get packages in the mail.  We pay monthly or yearly subscriptions from companies that put together 4 or more product samples in a "box" and ship them to us.  It doesn't have to be beauty samples.  Pet items, healthy snacks and even fitness things all come through the mail.  Sure, these samples aren't "free", but it's a range of products you might not have necessarily tried or bought on your own for a fraction of the cost.
    At first, I subscribed to Ipsy.  I paid $10 every month for a glam bag with a different theme and 5 different beauty related items.  Taking a quiz was required to determine what I might get.  I cancelled my subscription after 8 months or so, though, as the samples became less and less appealing to use.  I even took the quiz over to get better results, but a failed attempt nevertheless.  Birchbox is another popular subscription online for $10 a month for 5 products.  Both Ipsy and Birchbox websites also sell the full size version of the samples given to subscribers.  Ipsy, at least I know, gives discounted codes for each of them, so I could still buy something I didn't get in my bag.  Really though?  Did I want to do that?  No, but I thought about it.  I like sample sizes.  Many of the products can be a deluxe size - good to use for longer than you think.  For example, I still use the eye primer from Elizabeth Mott in a glam bag from Ipsy, and even the Luxe 205 tapered blending brush.  These products are ideal for travel.  Small and no fuss, easy to place in TSA approved carry-on bags.
    It's seems, however, even the subscription industry is now saturated.  If you want higher end beauty items, Boxycharm offers a box for $21 a month.  Department stores like Target and Wal-Mart have beauty boxes too.  Target is $7 a month and no subscription required; just buy it online and get a Target coupon inside the box.  Wal-Mart only requires a $5 flat shipping fee and they put a box out every season.  I wish I could get a hold of either one of those but demand must be high, like trying to get Beyonce concert tickets.

 

    Nowadays, I'm subscribed to "Play! by Sephora".  It is also $10 a month (plus tax) and you get at least 5 items in a bag, the 6th is usually a perfume sample (not my fav).  So far, it's not a bad subscription.  It has gotten mixed reviews on the Internet, but I personally find that I use at least 2 or 3 of the beauty items given to me.  Their perk is a card you get each month to go into a Sephora store to get educated on how to use them as well as 50 Beauty Insider points with any purchase.  I haven't used the card yet, probably should for the points so I can get even more samples down the road for free!

    Speaking of free stuff, subscription is just one way of getting samples.  Go to the Origins website, for instance, and buy enough to get a few free items when you checkout.  I once bought something from them and was able to nab 5 deluxe products.  I still have the Origins Ginzing eye cream, nice to use to reduce puffiness under your eyes in the morning.
    Nothing is more satisfying than getting samples in the mail or even in a store.  Of course, I prefer free but paying for travel/deluxe sized products or getting monthly subscriptions can be just as rewarding because you're getting something new all the time.  You can take them when you travel or place them inside your purse or bag.  Stick your items in the glove box of your car.  Share items you end up not using with friends or family.  Perhaps you'll love that lipstick or moisturizer or bronzer enough that in the future, you might go ahead and purchase the full size version, as I have in the past.

Rosie