Great ways to use cosmetic samples
Let's
not lie, who has never at some point accumulated so many cosmetics
samples that you could actually make a soup from it? Or at least
found it hard to throw away because, who knows, maybe someday these
will be useful – well, that's what I tell myself too often. When I
came back last year from living 5 months in Seoul, I litteraly
brought a full A4 envelope of tiny lotion bottles and creams in
5x5cm squares. Months later? I was still keeping them in there, not
using a single of them. So one day I decided to sort them all
correctly (was I under carbohydrate from a piece of brownie, maybe),
but from then I started using more and more all those skincare and
makeup samples, and found out they actually are pretty clever allies.
_____1) Sort them in a box
It
is important to start from there. I think the more organized you are,
the more you want to try and use the samples. You obviously can't
know every single sample you have, so sorting them by categories will
help you finding a product you're looking for, when you feel like
trying something different from your usual cleanser for instance.
Maybe it will take a bit of time sorting them, but it will definitely
save you a lot later. Just sit on a comfy cushion, spill everything
on a rug and start making groups of samples. I divided mine into 7
categories of samples*, but you can come up with lot of cool
combinations according to how you want to use them. Now this being
said, you'll need a box and some MacGyver skills (or else online
shopping skills will do). You can find some very easy youtube video
to make a compartment box with cardboard -what I did, and I'm usually
not good at DIY things so this is totally manageable - using a lovely
box or keeping it classic with cardboard brownish color.
*my own categories: essence and toner / facial cream / everything
makeup / cleasing -(foam, oil, wash off) / sleeping pack and gel mask
/ body cream, butter, soap / everything left with a too large
packaging to fit in other compartiments.
_____2) On a getaway
Samples
can actually be life-saver. That's what I learnt on a short trip with
a friend, one night in a small guesthouse, no bathroom products
provided. How happy was I to have brought along a soap sample and
some wipping tissues to clean our face. Samples are great when you're
away from home for one or two days, or leaving on a little journey.
It takes no space in your bags, avoids you carrying large bottles
when you need only few drops. Result: you travel lighter and smarter.
Makeup samples are also very handy when you crash at your friend's,
no need to bring that bottle of liquid foundation (thumbs up to
brands that give BB cream or foundation samples, you make our life
easier). A lot of brand now sell travel-size products for everything
– which, hum, are convenient but tend to be slightly pricey..., so
before buying them, take a look into your samples box, you may find
some that will save you a trip to the grocery store.
_____3) On the plane
Has
this ever happened to you before? You're sitting on the plane,
quietly watching the last movie Jake Gyllenhaal stars in, and the
woman next to you - the kind of beauty guru who can't skip her
skincare routine - takes out a sheet mask. Ok, maybe a super good,
moisty, fresh jasmin smelling sheet mask, but she's putting on a
sheet mask. In the plane. A sheet mask. However she's got a point.
Your skin gets very dry because of the cabin air and it is important
to moisturize it. If you're as shy as me to put on a sheet mask in
front of hundreds of strangers, then serum and cream samples are your
solution. Easy to carry in handbag, take only a minute to pamper your
face, leaves a fresh, dewy touch after cleansing. This maybe won't
feel same as nourishing your skin for fifteen minutes, lying in bed
and drinking tea, but you'll still feel way more relaxed in plane
thanks to these tiny cream samples!
_____4) Gift & Letter set
If
you have to class them on a mandatory list, this one would probably
be very close to the bottom. Giving cosmetic samples as small gift.
But I love doing it. No shame. It is always great to add one more
small gift to a birthday present, you won't have this
so-you-got-me-only-one-present look *just kidding*. It can help
adding a more personal touch. If your friend is addicted to a certain
scent for instance, maybe she loves anything tea-y, then why not
making her smile with this little green tea essence sample? Also, it
is nice to add to notes or small letters. It makes it sweeter.
Thanking a colleague for something they've done for you, apologizing
for that time you were thirty minute late to a friend appointment. I
personnally think giving samples is like a small gesture of your
heart. It's between the nothing and the too much of giving flowers to
some occasions. Sweet, small and useful.
Is
there any other ways you use your samples?
or
just drop a note to say Hi!
Thank
you for reading, xoxo
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