I was so excited by the idea that Escentual.com were introducing sampler sets yesterday that I immediately jumped on Twitter to whoop! What’s so cool about it? Well, I do a ton of online shopping… and there ain’t many UK retailers will let you buy sample sets of ANYTHING, let alone posh fragrances and skincare!
Usually, I buy frag samples from LuckyScent.com in the U.S. (who are aweseome btw) but already I’m being hugely tempted by the COSTUME NATIONAL sampler set on Escentual.com. If I’m honest, the La Roche Posay one is also drawing me in… have you seen how much of the range they’ve squeezed in to that set?
I’m rubbish at asking for samples when I buy stuff and this takes the lucky dip aspect out of the equation when ordering online. I’m really delighted to see Escentual.com fulfill a niche like this in the U.K and hope they keep on top of updating, restocking and encouraging great brands to allow themselves to be sampled in this way. There’s nothing like being given the opportunity to discover something marvellous at a lower price point.
You can view the sample sets available by visiting escentual.com/try
Are you keen to see sample sachets and vials used in this way or do you worry that once companies realise that money is to be made from them, you’ll see less and freebies tucked into your order?
Wow, this looks amazing! Especially since they send you back a voucher for the equivalent money off full size products.
I’ve always wanted to try La Roche Posay but the sample set is heavy on the oily skin products. 🙁 (Dry as a desert here!) I’m tempted by the Bare Escentuals one though, as I’d like to try mineral but I’m not sure how it’d work on my skin.
Now all we need is a Sephora-style mascara kit!
Wow the Amouage sample pack has 23 testers! What would I do with them all!?
I hate asking for samples but if it’s skincare I have to ask if I am considering it (especially if it’s £££). That is why I like sites like Naturisimo that you can pick free samples with your order or pay a little for a pricer product sample.
The La Roche Posay set looks very good!
Oooh the Etat Libre d’Orange sample set looks wonderful, I’ve always been really curious about their fragrances! I’m so tempted, if even just for the novelty names 😉
I’m definitely worried about less freebies being tucked into my order. I’ve noticed a lot more retailers charging for samples. I mean, think about the successs of BirchBox, Loose Button and GlossyBox. The bare escentials trial pack that they’re selling is available for free in the states!
I think it’s a fantastic idea. I’ve been eyeing up a few of them. Both the Costume National and Lalique sets have been whispering quietly to me!
Nifty idea, I quite like this. I am all for trying before you buy. Especially with the cost of many beauty products nowadays. I personally have no qualms with spending £50 on a cream, if it really works and is suitable for me (for example.) I would never ever spend £50 on a cream I hadn’t tried in some form.
I think it’s great – there’s no way of guaranteeing that you can get samples otherwise, and it’s so annoying to spend money on the full-size of something and then discover that it doesn’t work for you.
This is such a great idea – I highly approve!
I LOVE that these sample sets (or at least the ones I’ve clicked on – La Roche Posay and Amouage) include a VOUCHER for the FULL PRICE of the sample set against any purchase of a full-sized product from the set. That’s awesome!
I would be really sad if this replaced including free samples with orders, but considering that free samples tend to be 1 or 2 small samples (often random) it’s great to have the opportunity to purchase a larger set of samples … and the ones I looked at (LRP and Amouage) are pretty cost effective even in terms of just the samples (without considering the voucher).
I mean … I know a lot of perfumistas who would be delighted to purchase a full-sized Amouage perfume and then get such an extensive sample set of the house’s offerings as a free gift … which is what this offer is!
I just ordered the La Roshe-Posay sample set and the Etat Libre D’Orange Discovery set. Both with the vouchers against a full size product is just fantastic!. I would never blind buy from Etat Libre D’Orange, so this will introduce me to to the line. In Europe, samples are not given out readily (which I don’t understand because it’s very good PR) so a big thumbs up to Escentual.com for being smart enough to give us what we want!.
This is fantastic! I’ve just ordered the Etat Libre d’Orange set. I normally buy samples via eBay or Les Senteurs, but I’d already pretty much decided to buy Jasmin et Cigarette, so this sample pack is basically going to be free. 😉
It’s going to also be worth it to try Les Secretions Magnifique and discover if it truly is the most disgusting scent ever made. I can’t wait! Thanks for the heads up.
I received my Etat libre d’Orange samples yesteday…’Fat Electrician’ is just so addictive and yummy (despite the name…uugh)
Not up to opening Secretions Magnifiques yet…mmn not sure when I’ll be in the mood to smell like blood and sour Milk ??!
The La Roche Posay sample kit is HUGE…a big brick of a sample bag : ))
FYI …The JhAG sample kit is cheaper on The actual Juliette has a Gun Web site….it includes all 6 frags + free shipping AND a free Tote bag with the purchase of a bottle (sample kit price also set against the price of a full bottle)…just saying!