Storing and Using Makeup Samples

There are many ways to get samples of makeup products you are dying to try. Sometimes, they come free with a purchase, other times you can get them entirely for free, and you can almost always buy them directly from the makeup company that makes the product. While makeup samples can be a great way to try out a product before you buy the full size, sometimes they come in small bags which makes them difficult to store and use. Here are three ways to store and use makeup samples.

Method One: Leave it in the bag. For products like these Zuii Organic Flora Liquid Foundations, I recommend keeping them in the bag. Samples like these are generally single-use, so all you need to do is snip a corner or rip the top off and use them straight from the bag. If you don't use all of the product, you can always fold the top closed and secure it with a bobby pin or paperclip. If you were to transfer these to a pot, you would lose a bit of product for no real purpose other than aesthetic.

To store these types of sample packets in particular, I stack them in the foundation drawer of my makeup organizer as you can see above. I would recommend this method for products such as foundation, concealer, moisturizer, or really anything liquid or cream based.

Method Two: Transfer bagged samples into pots. For products like these Zuii Organic Flora Diamond Sparkle Blushes, I recommend transferring them into a pot. Powder eyeshadows could stay in their bags, but with products that use larger brushes, like highlighters and blushes, I prefer to transfer them.

To really get all of the product out of the bag with minimal spills, I pour as much powder into a pot as I can, tapping the sides of the bag as I go. Then, I carefully cut one side and use a bobby pin or needle to scrap off any powder that is stuck to the bag. I then add the name and brand on a round label, or peel the sticker off of the bag and stick it to the bottom. I store these pots in their respective drawers in my makeup collection. You can buy these pots online. I get mine from eBay for a few dollars.

Method Three: Leave them in the jars they come in. Some samples already come in plastic pots. The product above is Monave's Loose Mineral Foundation. As you can see, the full-sized product (left) and the sample-sized product (right) both come in pots. The only difference is the amount of product. I like to leave products like this in their original packaging. There's really no need to transfer it. Plus, since I bought the full-size product as well, I can simply use the sample pot for travel which is a bonus.

And there you have it. It's that simple to store your samples! If you have a different way, let me know!

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