What’s more Broke & Beautiful than free?

Exactly – nothing! So we have launched on a massive mission to find the best places to score free samples with purchase. Ideally, that purchase would be… oh, $2 with free shipping, max, but unfortunately such is not always the case. That doesn’t mean that you can’t snag that new moisturizer you were dying to try, anyway (bonus points if it’s on sale), and pick up some freebies in the process!

9 Stores That Rock at “Free Samples With Purchase“

LUSH

This is my favorite store to get samples from because you get to choose any product to sample. Want to snag a $1.50 facial steam tab? Maybe a little 4oz. Mask of Magnaminty for $12… Ask you shop around – online or in-store – keep track of all the gorgeous things you want to try, but maybe can’t afford to splurge and test right now. Once you’re at the register, ask away! LUSH sales reps are notoriously sweet & darling by definition, so don’t be nervous! Just mention, “Oh – I’d love to try out the ________ – could I snag a sample of that?” Optional: “…and, if it’s possible, the _____, as well?” Don’t be afraid to ask for more than one!

If you order online, no worries – the samples get chosen for you, but you’ll still get ‘em!

Sephora

They’re notorious for their samples, as well as their selection. I’m always getting emails from Sephora letting me know about special sample deals, or promotions for specific brands that offer a mid-size or even full-size product with purchase! With each order (no minimum!), you can select three samples to include – everything from foundation to perfume. If I were you, I’d snag a Sephora Collection Double Contouring Cream blush in bright, energetic Poppy Pink [coincidentally described as "Azalea pink" - pick a flower!] for $14 and load up on samples.

(PS – Kate Walsh made a perfume called “Billionaire?” I hope the bottle doesn’t stick to your hands, due to the extreme TACKINESS. Ho ho ho…)

Beauty.com/Drugstore.com

The equivalent of a beauty superstore, Beauty.com undoubtedly has whatever you need to feel awesome about your skincare and cosmetic arsenal. They also have sunglasses. Just in case. You also get three samples at Beauty.com, and the selection is more limited than that of Sephora… but free is free! That being said, their free shipping kicks in at $25 (as opposed to Sephora’s $50), so in the end, it evens out! (I’m more intrigued by Beauty.com’s samples today, so there’s that, too.) Go for the gold and grab Philosophy’s On A Clear Day Foaming Cleanser for a clean $25 - grab your samples, forego the shipping, and you’re out of there with free stuff and an awesome cleanser!

Kiehl’s

They’ve been around since 1851, and for good reason, as they continue to push our new classics in skincare. “Three free samples with every purchase” seems to be a bit of a trend… but Kiehl’s is doing it the most right, in my opinion. Why? Their six pages of available samples leave all the other stores in the dust (save for maybe Lush, whose product catalog spans several dimensions). If you’ve got a dude or gal at home, Kiehl’s would be the place to casually pick up a sample for them. I’ve been pulling this trick for three weeks, and my boyfriend smells BOMB.

Right now, they are also offering two “deluxe” (definition: TBD) samples from their Healthy Skin line when you make a purchase from the same line.

Mor

You can buy one of Mor‘s gorgeous candles or a one of their classic perfumes, any order over $20 gets you a collection of randomly selected fragrance samples. I’m gaga over the packaging – and I’m dying for one of those candles. Though, I would probably get their Cucumber & Casaba Body Cream for $25 because, well… Cucumber & Casaba!

Blue Mercury

I’m pretty new to this site, but the design and brand list has definitely drawn me on. Also giving me heart palpitations: free shipping on all order over $25. Sweet, sweet music. One day, in my Utopia, all sites will find a way to have free, carbon-neutral shipping. Swoon. Back to Blue Mercury – three free samples with every order, and to get both free shipping & free samples, pick up Ahava’s Purifying Mud Mask for $30. I’m really into mud lately.

Nordstrom

Seattle’s pride & joy comes through again, promising five free samples with each beauty or fragrance purchase. They even go so far as to list them off for you! I’m sure that the samples rotate, so take the image with a grain of salt, but Nordstrom has great relationships with their brands, so you can trust that your batch will probably include something amazing.

Oh, and in the event that you happen to be near a Nordstrom on a Saturday – go inside. You’ll thank me later.

Smashbox

How drool-worthy are Smashbox products? Their Photo Finish Foundation Primer is a staple in my makeup… box? Bag? Bag. Actually… Let’s be real, it’s in my not-main makeup bag because it doesn’t meet the usage levels necessary to be carried in my main makeup bag. I use it once or twice a month when I want to feel like Adriana Lima, but like to save it for those moments, specifically. But they offer two samples (well, one sample and a bonus sample – whatever.) But free shipping on ever order! Yay.

Benefit

My favorite cosmetics company (tied with Stila – but the list changes all the time), Benefit, also offers two free samples with every order on the site (you select from four options after placing an item in your cart). I couldn’t possibly tell you what the best thing to get from Benefit could be because they have so many good products! I used one of their highlighting bronzers, Hollywood Glow, for 4 years (same bottle and everything!). I’ve been out of it for months, and they discontinued it. So sad! I’d love to try Benefit’s High Beams Highlighter for $26 - and it looks like I could snag a couple shades of their Hello Flawless! SPF 15 Cover Up Powder as a sample!

Did we forget anything?

Add your favorite place to grab free samples in the comments!

(Thanks to our Twitter friends for helping us out with tips!)

For more Tips From The Tightfisted, click here!

I can’t help it  - I’m dying for spring and summer to get here. I never thought I would crave it this badly, and yet, here I am starving for it. It wasn’t until the last quarter of summer that I really started to get excited for winter, so I guess we’re on track. I stumbled across these OTBT sandals while browsing Goldyn, a lovely Denver-based boutique who offered B&B readers 20% off anything – including sale – with the code BROKEANDBEAUT20. (& Goldyn offers free shipping 24/7!) The code is good until the end of February 2012 - use it!

I know these bring to mind the flatforms of yesteryear (do I seem more fashion-y when I exaggerate the amount of time that has passed?), which should make sense because they’re practically identical. This gentle heel and saltwater-sandal-esque straps are nothing short of a classic, timeless staple – perfect for transitioning to the warmer seasons!

20% off anything – including sale – with the code BROKEANDBEAUT20.

OTBT Bee Cave Sandals in Taupe Grey – Reg. $125, Price: $100 on ShopGoldyn.com!

Broke. Beautiful. Bride. Bargain.

Sound like you?  Desire to go digital with sui numeris bride.  Need a wedding dress for the courthouse?  No problem!  Want to mirror the majesty of Princess Kate Middleton?  Check.  Take the stress out of driving all over town for your wedding gown.  Sit in your pajamas and click away for authentic vintage bridal gowns to Pronovias wedding dresses and everything in between.  Oh, and did I mention that wedding dresses start at $139.99?  Yes.  You didn’t misread.  $139.99!  What the heck are you waiting for?  Shop www.suinumerisbride.com and go digital today.

All brokeandbeautiful.com fans receive 20% off all items! Code: brokebeautiful

 Promotion

The latest challenge, though… It’s definitely a step up in difficulty! Issued by the great and magical Ashe Mischief of Dramatis Personae and Ash in Fashion…

Colored jeans for girls of all sizes! (So some plus, some standard). GO!

…whoa. I’ve been on several quests for colored denim in my day, and it is not easy. Damn near impossible, even!

But not for me. No, no – I maintain my epic shopping ego, and insist that I will not only show you some plus and some standard…

I will show you colorful pants that have a size range that covers nearly every size you could possibly need.

As a proud girl with a big ass, I can honestly state that it sucks that there are seperate sections based on size. It sucks that I can’t wear those perfectly cut skinny jeans in the Misses department because my ass wants a 14W, and in a TJ Maxx or Marshalls, the land of 14W can be a scary place, my friends.

Onward to my conquest!

Straight Leg 5-Pocket Jeans: $34.99 (plus, buy one get one 50% off!)
Size Range:  12W – 38W, Tall & Petite Sizes

These are the perfect shape for any body type, am I right? These are wonderful and come in approximately three billion colors. (Seventeen.) …Which is good, because right now, they’re running a BOGO (buy one, get one 50% off) sale.

Colored Stretch Jeans: $39.90
Size Range:  14, 16, 22

Ahhh, my vice – skinny jeans. More than skinny jeans: jeggings. Oh, you pajama pants of the denim world, how I long for you. These vibrant red skinnies also come in an electric blue.

& sadly… That’s it for denim-y denim.

I know, I was shocked, too – but there’s no other reasonable reputable store that has a decent selection of solid-colored denim. It’s very sad. Fortunately, if you’re willing to look beyond the confines of cotton denim, you still have a ton of options for colorful legs!

Carson Stretch Twill Jeans: $36.90 – $41.90
Size Range: 1-25 

This color is called “Khaki” but looks more yellow, and the color “Sand” is more of a khaki color, so just roll with me on this. These are corduroy which, as you may know, is experiencing a bit of a revival as of late.

Signature Fit Roll Cuff Chinos: $15.99
Size Range: 12W – 16W & Petites 

I love ankle length pants. Especially non-denim pants like these – I feel like they’re flattering on everyone (yes, even you, shorty).  These come in several colors, too, including a really pretty, pale pink.

Garment-Dyed Twill Crops: $13.59 - $15.99
Size Range: 2-20 & 12W – 24W incl. Petite, and Women’s Petite 

I am obsessed with these blue pants. But if these aren’t your speed, you will LOVE the color selection – ice blue, moss green, pale yellow, sunset-y-pink-orange…

Garment-Dyed Twill Cargos: $15.59
Size Range: 2-20 & 12W – 24W incl. Petites, Women’s Petites 

How. Adorable. Are. These? I love the color and the cut is just so cute!

Corduroy Slim-Leg Pants: $15.59
Size Range: 2 – 20 & 12W – 24W incl. Petite & Women’s Petite & Long

These might be my favorite. I love this color in the corduroy fabric, but the teal, pink and “mascara” (which is a pretty brown color).  I love that there’s a Long option, too!

Vintage Boyfriend Cords: $29.99
Size Range: 2-6, 0-16P, 20-28W

Requisite Might As Well Be Pajamas option: boyfriend jeans. In this case – orchid-colored, slouchy, boyfriend corduroys. If you hate the purple, there’s a classic dark green pair available, as well!

So how did I do?

Did I successfully complete this challenge? Did I fulfill your expansive-size-range, colored pant needs?

Better yet… Do you have another challenge for me? 

Other posts about colored denim and colorful pants:

• WYW: Brightly Colored Jeans?
• It’s About To Get Festive In Here

A gorgeous dress from Zac Posens Spring/Summer 2012 collection.

There are few things I like more than an amazing designer partnering with a retailer that I don’t have beef with. With all the wonderful Target collaborations off limits and the H&M partnerships selling out so fast, a girl can get design-weary…

Fortunately, Lord & Taylor to the rescue! The discount luxury spot is teaming up with the McDreamy of young, fun elegance: Zac Posen.

The line will likely be feminine, saucy and spectacular – and it’ll all be under $200. Yummy.

The line will be available in April 2012 in a total of thirty stores across the US.

Are you excited for the Zac Posen x Lord & Taylor collection?