4 Ways to Get Free Products at Sephora Stores - wikiHow (2024)

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1Getting Free Samples In-Store

2Shopping Online

3Becoming a “Beauty Insider”

4Returning Used Products

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Co-authored byBarbie Ritzman

Last Updated: April 1, 2024

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Sephora is a popular place to buy cosmetics and bath products. Besides the huge selection of brands and products, Sephora is known for its over-the-top customer service. This means that the sales team, or “cast members” are encouraged (sometimes mandated) to offer free samples of products. If you know the store’s policies, you can end up taking home plenty of great cosmetics for free.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Getting Free Samples In-Store

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  1. 1

    Locate your nearest Sephora store. Chances are, there’s a Sephora not too far from you. It may be located inside a mall, a JCPenney, or in your city’s downtown area. You can use the Sephora website’s shop locator to find one.

  2. 2

    Visit the store as a potential customer. Try to visit the store at a time when they won’t be busy. If you’re available to visit in the middle of a weekday, that’s best. Most people will be at work, and the store probably won’t be busy.[1]

    • Asking for free samples when salespeople are very busy can sometimes seem bothersome or rude.
    • When salespeople have downtime, they’re much more likely to be happy to make you plenty of samples.

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  3. 3

    Ask for samples. You can ask for samples of any of the products that you see. Generally, Sephora salespeople are instructed to offer three free samples per customer. You can always try asking for more, but you may not get them.[2]

    • If the salesperson sees that you’re actually planning to buy something, they’re more likely to offer more than three samples.
    • Some Sephora “cast members” are assigned to certain “worlds” such as perfumes or eye shadows. It’s usually best to ask for the sample from the person working in that “world” rather than the cashier.
  4. 4

    Thank the cast member. Always express gratitude for the free samples. If you’re friendly and appreciative, you’re more likely to be offered more samples in the future. Let them know you’re excited to try the products at home and report back.[3]

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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Shopping Online

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  1. 1

    Visit the Sephora website. Sephora’s website offers all of the products they have in their stores. Of course, you won’t be able to smell the perfumes or feel the products on your skin. However, the website offers some exclusive deals that you won’t see in the store.

  2. 2

    Locate the “beauty deals” page. This page contains a long list of coupons and promotions to help you get free products. It can be difficult to locate this page from the Sephora homepage. If you can’t find it, simply type “beauty deals” into the search bar.

  3. 3

    Choose a current deal. Most deals have a promo code that you’ll need to enter at checkout. Many deals are only for “Beauty Insiders”, so you may need to register before you can take advantage of them. Registering as a Beauty Insider is free and easy, so it’s worth it if you want to get the deal.

    • Unlike shopping in the store, you always have to buy something in order to get something for free online.
    • Take note of the deals you want. If they require a promo code, write down that deal's promo code. You'll need to enter it at checkout.
  4. 4

    Fill your cart with the items required for the deal. Some deals require that you purchase specific items. For example, a certain brand might offer a free clutch if you purchase a bottle of their perfume. Other deals offer a free product with any $25 purchase. Make sure to fill your cart with the right items to be able to get the deal.

  5. 5

    Request free samples before you check out. Click the link toward the top of the page that says “3 Free Samples.” There will be a long list of items that you can request. Unlike in the store, there is a limited selection of samples you can request.[4]

  6. 6

    Check out using your promo code. Once you have filled your cart and chosen your samples, head to checkout. You will see a space to enter any promo codes that you are using. Enter the promo codes that you wrote down when looking at the Beauty Deals page.

    • You may also enjoy free 3-day shipping if you make a purchase over $50.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Becoming a “Beauty Insider”

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  1. 1

    Visit the Sephora website’s “Beauty Insider” page. From the homepage, click the link at the top that says, “Beauty Insider.” Beauty Insider is the name of Sephora’s rewards program. It entitles members to free products based on how much they buy.

    • You can also become a Beauty Insider at the retail store. Simply ask the cashier to register you.
  2. 2

    Choose which level of insider you’d like to be. There are three levels of Beauty Insider. You can choose from Beauty Insider, VIB, or VIB Rouge. All membership levels are free to join and have different benefits.

    • Beauty Insiders receive a free birthday gift, beauty classes, and can accumulate points to spend on rewards.
    • VIBs get everything that Beauty Insiders get, plus a free makeover.
    • VIB Rouge members get as many free makeovers as they want, free 2-day shipping, and invitations to special events.
  3. 3

    Fill out the registration form. Registration for Beauty Insider status is fast and easy. Simply click the link to sign up and fill in your information. You’ll need to log into the site from now on to use your Beauty Insider status and get your points.

  4. 4

    Shop as a Beauty Insider. Once you’re logged in, your purchases will be recorded in your account. For every dollar you spend, you’ll get one point. If you choose to shop in the store, make sure they know you’re a Beauty Insider when you check out. Otherwise there will be no record of your purchase.

    • If you’ve only registered as a Beauty Insider, you’ll be upgraded to VIB status if you purchase $350 worth of products in a year. If you purchase more than $1,000 worth, you’ll become a VIB Rouge member.
  5. 5

    Redeem your points for free products. Sephora rotates the products that can be redeemed for points. Some products can be purchased for only 100 points while some can cost 1,000 points. Check the website for new rewards deals, or ask about them at your local Sephora store.

    • Points can be gained any time you shop in the store or online. They are automatically added to your account when you shop.
    • To redeem points in a store, tell the cashier that you'd like to redeem your points. You may be able to get your reward on the spot.
    • Points can be redeemed online at any time.
    • Points do not expire.
  6. 6

    Collect your free birthday gift. Once you’ve registered as a Beauty Insider, you get a free gift during your birthday month. You can go into the store to request it, or login online. However, if you’re requesting your gift online you’ll still need to make a purchase to receive it.

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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Returning Used Products

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  1. 1

    Save the packaging from all products. With many products this is easy, since the product is inseparable from the packaging (as with lipstick and nail polish). If you don’t have the packaging you won’t be able to return the product.[5]

  2. 2

    Return the product in-store or by mail. Sephora accepts returns within 60 days of purchase. Even if the product is used, you may return it. That means you can actually use up most of a product and still return it for store credit for the full value of the product.[6]

    • You may only return products purchased online via the mail. You cannot return them to a retail location.
    • You don’t need a receipt to return something to Sephora. Even if you paid in cash at a retail store, you can still return the item. However, they will scan your ID and save your personal information to prevent fraud and theft.
  3. 3

    Exchange the product using store credit. You now have store credit to spend on a new product. Even if you actually liked the product you returned, don’t purchase a new one now. The salespeople will question why you returned it in the first place.[7]

  4. 4

    Return items sparingly. Sephora keeps a record of what people buy and return. If they notice that you are purchasing and returning products often, they will eventually stop letting you return products.[8]

    • Remember: their return policy is meant to be a part of great customer service, not simply a way to give away free products.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question

    Why does it say that it's free to join? For VIB, you have to be a Beauty Insider first, then spend $350 in a year. For VIB Rouge, you have to be a Beauty Insider first, and then spend $1,000 in a year.

    4 Ways to Get Free Products at Sephora Stores - wikiHow (27)

    Community Answer

    Because you don’t have to pay an annual fee or pay to be a Beauty Insider. That's basically all they're saying, that you don't have to pay a membership fee to get started.

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  • Question

    Is it illegal to return products this way?

    4 Ways to Get Free Products at Sephora Stores - wikiHow (28)

    Community Answer

    No, it is not illegal, but it is pretty rude if you do it repeatedly.

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    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

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  • Question

    What do I do if the salespeople find out I only want free samples?

    4 Ways to Get Free Products at Sephora Stores - wikiHow (29)

    Community Answer

    You just need to not be annoying, and be thankful for your products. Then they will appreciate you being respectful. Remember, they are people too! They want free stuff sometimes!

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

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      Tips

      • If you have the time, you can always try out as many of the in-store testers as you like. You can even give yourself a full manicure in the store!

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      • Always be friendly to the people working in the store. They get to decide how much free stuff you’ll get.

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      • Salespeople at Sephora don’t work on commission. That means they don’t need to sell you something to make extra money themselves. So there’s no need to feel bad when someone offers you something but you don’t purchase it.

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      Warnings

      • If you notice that the salespeople are becoming unfriendly or impatient with you, back off a little bit. You may be asking too much, or bothering them when they’re busy. Or, they may have figured out that you are only interested in free products, not in actually buying anything.

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about skincare, check out our in-depth interview with Barbie Ritzman.

      About This Article

      4 Ways to Get Free Products at Sephora Stores - wikiHow (46)

      Co-authored by:

      Barbie Ritzman

      Beauty & Skincare Specialist

      This article was co-authored by Barbie Ritzman. Barbie Ritzman is a Beauty Specialist, Influencer, and the Owner of Barbie’s Beauty Bits. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in skincare and aesthetics. Barbie studied marketing at Tidewater Community College and holds a Certificate from the Media Buying Academy. For her work, she’s won Beauty Influencer of the Year - The USA and was featured in “The Allure 50,” which includes the year’s 50 most influential people in the beauty industry. This article has been viewed 61,758 times.

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      Co-authors: 14

      Updated: April 1, 2024

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      4 Ways to Get Free Products at Sephora Stores - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      4 Ways to Get Free Products at Sephora Stores - wikiHow? ›

      "Also, whenever I'm in-store at Sephora and I'm checking out, I always ask for any and all pre-packaged samples they have behind the cash wrap," says Trop. "They usually have a ton." Cooper adds: "Don't be shy to ask for a sample—or a few! They're completely free, and no purchase is necessary."

      Does Sephora give free samples if you ask? ›

      "Also, whenever I'm in-store at Sephora and I'm checking out, I always ask for any and all pre-packaged samples they have behind the cash wrap," says Trop. "They usually have a ton." Cooper adds: "Don't be shy to ask for a sample—or a few! They're completely free, and no purchase is necessary."

      How to receive free makeup products? ›

      Product testing websites such as BzzAgent and Influenster are an excellent way to nab beauty products at no cost at all. These sites work by sending you emails to fill out a survey, test a product, and then submitting an honest product review.

      Does Sephora do samples in store? ›

      Generally, our Sephora stores do not offer two samples per purchase. However, to receive samples in store, you can ask a Cast Member for assistance in making a sample of the product you would like!

      Will they do your makeup at Sephora for free? ›

      @emmland sephora no longer does free makeovers with a minimum spend . if you click into "stores and services" you can see available options. A "full face" for example is $60.

      How to get free stuff at Sephora? ›

      With every online merchandise order you can select two samples free. You can view the samples available by visiting the Pick Your Free Samples section of the Beauty Offers page or by clicking the link to select your samples in Basket.

      Does Ulta give free samples? ›

      Members can claim a free sample every week from a range of travel-sized products from varying brands that offer cosmetics, skincare, and haircare products.

      How to become a product tester for makeup brands? ›

      The qualifications that you need to become a beauty product tester include extensive knowledge of beauty products and excellent communication skills. Beauty product companies often seek testers within a specific demographic for each product. Typically, there are no formal education requirements for these jobs.

      How to get free beauty samples online? ›

      Sign up to be a makeup tester

      Often, large beauty brands are willing to send you small samples of products in exchange for your feedback and reviews. This can range from posting your thoughts on their social media pages, to interacting directly through their website or contact number/email.

      How to get free packages from brands? ›

      One of the easiest ways to receive PR packages is to show your brand loyalty. If a brand browses through your social media posts and sees that you talk about them organically, they'll have an easier time trusting you & knowing that you'll be aligned.

      How many Sephora samples can I get? ›

      Pick Your Free Samples

      You can select up to 2 sample(s) per order.

      Does Sephora in Kohls give free samples? ›

      What other Sephora Beauty Insider benefits are available at Kohl's? Savings include: Sephora Beauty Insider Cash, Seasonal Savings Events and End of Year Discount. Samples include: Free birthday gifts (Sephora at Kohl's stores and Kohls.com) and product samples (Sephora at Kohl's stores only).

      Is there a limit of samples a customer can get in store at Sephora? ›

      They will give you a little jar to try. You have to ask if there is a limit. At my local store you can get up to three from each world, makeup, hair, bath & body, fragrance.

      Is Sephora putting an age limit? ›

      Sephora does not have age restrictions on makeup or skin-care services, but children under 12 years old cannot receive waxing services.

      Does Sephora not do free makeovers anymore? ›

      Effective January 1, 2021, Rouge members no longer receive complimentary Makeup Deluxe: The Full-Face Makeover services. Please see Beauty Insider Terms & Conditions for the most up-to-date overview of benefits.

      Can you return makeup to Sephora if you don't like it? ›

      If you are not completely satisfied with a Sephora purchase or gift for any reason, Sephora welcomes you to return new or gently used products for a full refund to your original method of payment if returned within 30 days of purchase, in most cases.

      Can you ask for any sample at Sephora? ›

      You can get samples of other products but not fragrance.

      Can you ask for testers in Sephora? ›

      @AndyjustDandy you can ask a sales associate to make up a small sample of something you are interested in. They will give you a little jar to try. You have to ask if there is a limit.

      Is there a limit to the number of samples you can request in store at Sephora? ›

      There is no "sample limit" per se, but I am sure you might feel socaily uncomfortable to ask for too much, you can always ask samples from a few different sales associate. Foundation is tricky, I'm sure they understand that it's tough to decide on the spot, so lots of samples are great!

      How can I get free samples for free? ›

      Top Sites Offering Free Samples Without Surveys
      1. Fr.ee. This site has been around since 2013 and offers baby freebies, pet freebies, beauty freebies and more.
      2. Freeflys. ...
      3. Free Stuff. ...
      4. Free Stuff Times. ...
      5. I Love Free Things. ...
      6. Internet Steals and Deals. ...
      7. My Free Product Samples. ...
      8. PINCHme.
      Jan 17, 2024

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