6 easy ways to score free beauty products

It's hard out here for beauty lovers on a budget. When you want to try out the latest launches or get in on a TikTok trend, but can't afford to drop hundreds of dollars on new beauty products, what's there to do? Don't fret, we're here to tell you about all the ways to score free beauty products, from birthday freebies to buy nothing groups.

1. Free samples

When shopping online at retailers like Sephora or Nordstrom, you've probably seen free beauty samples offered at checkout. These samples are often trial-sized, but are a great way to test out a product to decide if you want to spring for the full-sized version. For example, you can visit Sephora's free samples page to see what's on offer—right now, you can choose up to two samples per order from brands like Laneige, Rare Beauty, and Make Up For Ever.

2. Free gifts with purchase

If you're looking for more substantial samples, you'll want to take advantage of a retailer's free gifts with purchase. Macy's, Ulta, and Nordstrom offer some of the best free gifts out there.

For Nordstrom, beauty or fragrance purchases can earn you deluxe samples from brands like La Mer, Kiehl's, and Laura Mercier, while Ulta and Macy's spending thresholds are often brand based, like this free Lancôme 7-Piece Beauty Gift with any $39.50 Lancôme purchase or this free Versace 8-Piece Sample Set with any Versace women's large spray purchase.

3. Birthday freebies

There are tons of beauty retailers who will send you free birthday gifts on your special day. Usually all it takes is signing up for a brand's email newsletter or rewards program. For instance, Kieh's offers a free lip balm plus a deluxe sample on your birthday if you sign up for My Kiehl’s Rewards, while Smashbox offers a free gift during your birthday month for Smash Cash Rewards members, as does bareMinerals for Good Rewards members.

4. Product testing sites

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. It's free to join these programs, and through them, you'll be able to get your hands on new products before they hit the market.

5. Buy Nothing groups

Buy Nothing groups, usually found on Facebook, are easy to join and use. Just find a local group, join it, and post in the group if you're looking to receive, trade, or give items away. These groups are a great way for influencers or product testers to donate excess products that were sent to them that they no longer need, or simply a way for shoppers to get rid of something that didn't suit them. Just be sure to take note if items are unopened, used once, or gently used, depending on what you're comfortable using yourself.

6. Giveaways

Beauty giveaways are another great way to score free products, if you're lucky of course. With a little searching, it's easy to find these sweepstakes—they're often advertised via email, on the brand's Instagram, or on the rotating banner at the top of a site, and you can usually enter them daily to improve your chances of winning.

EltaMD, for instance, hosted Summer of SPF sweepstakes to win a sunscreen bundle, while Paula's Choice hosted The ONE Product That Made It Out of the Group Chat sweepstakes to win a skincare product and a $100 Paula’s Choice gift card!