Trying a new foundation shade or lipstick at full price is a gamble. Samples take the risk out, and there are plenty of legitimate ways to get them free. Here’s where to look.
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1. Ask at the counter
Beauty stores and department store counters can often make you a small sample of foundation, concealer, skincare or fragrance to take home. Ask politely and say you’re trying to choose a shade. It’s a courtesy, not a guaranteed policy.
2. Sephora checkout samples
Sephora’s free Beauty Insider members can pick a small number of free samples with online orders from a rotating selection at checkout.
3. Sephora birthday gift
Beauty Insider members can choose a free birthday gift set during their birthday month. Sephora said its 2026 gifts can be redeemed free in Sephora and Sephora at Kohl’s stores, or online with a $25 minimum purchase.
4. Sephora Rewards Bazaar
Beauty Insider points can be redeemed for samples, minis and occasionally full-size products in Sephora’s Rewards Bazaar.
5. Ulta birthday gift and gift-with-purchase
Ulta Beauty Rewards members get a birthday gift offer during their birthday month, and Ulta regularly runs gift-with-purchase promotions where reaching a spending threshold earns a free deluxe sample or kit.
6. Brand newsletters
Sign up for emails from your favorite makeup brands. Welcome offers and launch campaigns sometimes include free samples or a free mini with purchase.
7. Sample programs and product testing
PINCHme, SampleSource and Influenster occasionally include makeup and skincare. Build a complete profile to match more offers.
8. Beauty subscription freebies
Some beauty subscriptions, like IPSY, let members earn points for reviews that can be redeemed for free products. You pay for the subscription, so it’s only worth it if you’d use the products.
9. Brand pop-ups and events
Store events, brand launches and beauty festivals often hand out free samples and minis.
10. Order samples from online purchases
Many beauty retailers and brand websites include free samples in online orders, especially during sales events.
Avoid fake makeup freebies
- “Free full-size palette, just pay shipping”: often a subscription trap or counterfeit product.
- Social media giveaways from look-alike accounts: check for the brand’s verified badge.
- Sites that ask for your card details for a “free” sample.
Sample safety tips
- Check the expiration or “period after opening” symbol on samples.
- Don’t share samples like mascara or lip gloss.
- Patch-test new skincare and makeup if you have sensitive skin.
FAQ
Can I get free makeup samples by mail without buying anything?
Sometimes, through sample programs and brand campaigns, but offers are limited and go quickly.
Does Sephora give free samples in store?
Associates can often make small samples on request. Availability varies by store.
Are free makeup sample sites safe?
Established programs generally are. Avoid sites that ask for payment information.
Md. Emam Hasan is the founder of Freestuffbase and a digital marketer and SEO specialist based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He researches free samples, gift card policies and sweepstakes rules from official sources, and writes practical guides to help readers save money and avoid scams. More at emamit.com.