Right now I’m loving minis . . . usable minis that is! I have a weakness for cute miniature things like mini lint rollers, mini toothpaste tubes, mini brushes, puppies, kittens, bunnies etc. There’s something about cute that gets me all the time. Makeup is no exception – but for me it has to be something that is functional, usable and not-to-mini. I know I should be grateful for any kind of mini sample, especially these days when good ones are SO hard to come by. However, if something isn’t functional I’ll just end up tossing it.
Makeup mini fails for me:
- mini pigment vials in those holiday sets (can’t get a brush into the product)
- mini NARS lipglosses (can you even get 1 application on the lips with these?)
- mini perfume vials without a pump spritzer or roller ball (my fingers are small, but not THAT small and I end up with the cologne all over my hands and the floor)
Functionality is even more important if I’m going to spend money on something less than full size. I’ll rarely purchase something “mini” unless it’s usable or if it’s in a cute set (even those mini pigment sets still get to me even though they’re not super easy to use). I have small hands but some things are too small even for me.
A few makeup mini successes that I’m loving right now:
- OPI mini nail polishes
- Laura Mercier mini eyeshadows
- Anastasia Mini Tweezers *
- Diptyque Eau Duelle (yummy vanilla)
- Urban Decay Little Sins Primer Potions Set *
- Chanel mini foundation brush
- MAC ss7 SH *
- Laura Mercier double-ended mini brush
- Chanel mini glossimer
- Chanel mini makeup removers
- Diorshow mini
- Chanel mini perfumes with the rollerballs
- La Mer new eye balm sample
items with the * were purchased, the rest were from GWPs and samples
So you may be wondering: where does one find good samples? I’ve come across good ones over the years but it’s hit or miss. I find that if you develop a good relationship with a sales associate they will often times call you when there are decent promotions or put something aside for you when they know there is something you like.
How does one develop a “good relationship”? It’s like any relationship – it takes time and a bit of work. Be polite and patient. Don’t lecture the sales associate if they suggest something you hate (I’ve seen this so many times). Be understanding and patient. Take some interest in your makeup artist’s personal life. Customer loyalty helps. Keep your returns to a minimum.
That being said – being a good customer doesn’t ensure that you’ll get good samples either. I find it ridiculous these days when high end department stores think that an ugly cheap makeup bag will 4 tiny samples will be considered a great incentive for a customer to spend the minimum of $300. Even a full-sized product valued at $25 isn’t always the best incentive for a $350 minimum purchase.
Anyhow, there are the occasional good finds that keep me happy. I know that if certain retailers offered better samples and incentives they’d have more of my business. Many times I don’t need an incentive to make me buy but it’s always nice to have. How often do we have something specific on our wishlist (like the Chanel Holiday Blush) that we know we just have to have? The question for women who know what they want is where to buy it. I think retailers miss out when they don’t look at the competition and think about what they can do better or differently to stand out.
But I digress . . . what are you loving right now? It doesn’t have to be minis. I’d love to hear what you like right now 🙂
I love minis too, and have been wanting a mini primer potion in Sin. I haven't seen it sold alone, though they do sell the regular and Eden in minis at Sephora.
Right now I'm loving the mini Chanel eye makeup remover as well as the deluxe samples of Dior Total Capture Eye Cream. A lot of the time I end up purchasing the full product based on my experience with the minis.
great post. i think brands should release more mini versions of their products – because in many cases, if i'm happy with the mini/sample size, i'm more likely to purchase the full size version (the chanel inimitable mascara was given away as a sample and i've re-purchased the full size more times than i'd like to remember). i completely understand, i have teeny tiny 5 year old hand and appreciate anything that comes in a smaller size – esp. makeup brushes =) xo
It's so hard to go wrong with a decent-sized mini! I completely agree about those perfume samples though–give me a tiny spray and I'll fall in love. I have a hard time touching the stopper ones though–unless they are fabulous and I have no choice! The Perfumed Court gives you a choice of sizes, including some with spray tops–truly lovely.
Man, lately I've also been obsessed with mini's! Even those mini deoderants and face washed u get at wal mart or other places. Wait do those count as travel size? Well those…
What I love MOST about mini's aside from their cuteness are:
1. price: i don't have to shell out as much at once and can settle for the travel size for a few months use
2. cosmetics expire, and some hardly get used so why buy the whole thing
3. getting to sample the product before claiming it to be holy grail…
i wish they would sell or better yet, give away minis more for us to try the products better. it sucks to shell out hard earned money for a full sized bottle only to discover it doesnt work for you. (return policies here SUCK) sorry for the term! 😉
i love those mini brushes! 🙂
lovin' Clarins Coral Tulip Lipstick now! also Chanel's vitalumiere Eclat 😉
I love minis especially if I want to try out the product before I buy the full-sized version.
I love decent sized minis too…so I joined Birchbox.com and every month I get a beautiful box full of what I would call "luxury size" minis of different products to try and it's great. Then I can tell if I want to spend the money on the full sizes or not. Check them out!
Sabrina,
I'm going to start frequenting my local Chanel counter even more because that Glossimer mini is simply adorable. Luckily it's situated with NARS and Dior. The NARS SA knows me well so she hooked me up with the mini Laguna bronzer GWP even though I came up $40 short. That's the latest mini I have been loving surprisingly – I always thought it was too light for me. My mini MAC slanted blush brush or mini BB face blender brush works perfectly with it. Yes, I love me a mini! I can live on perfume samples forever. I have gotten tons of Killian samples from Saks until I bit the bullet and bought the travel sized bottle. Now I know that I have established a relationship with the SA (helps that she is so nice) I know she will continue to give me samples of other fragrances from the line.
So I agree – if you want minis it does help to establish a good relationship with these SA's. I found out early about the D&G lipstick holiday compact from my local Saks SA. I have purchased my first couple of D&G items from this guy and I know he'll have my back. If you woo me with excellent customer service I will come back to you and if you also include mini's then I will be your fan for life!
i agree, i love minis! who doesn't?? when i know i want something, i immediately start searching diff department stores for minis that go along with the product or samples. & a lot of the times, some 'gifts with purchase' are totally not worth ANYTHING! i feel that, that just brings down the quality of reputation in respect to the customers.
BUT! some things i'm loving right now: i've fallen in love AGAIN with is my guerlain pressed meteorites! it smells so divine. ( :
Mini nail polishes make a lot of sense, as I have not once used up a full-sized bottle of polish
I love minis too though I would never have thought to write about them – clever post! It's been interesting to read about all the other minis I'd never heard of in your readers' comments too! I like them for travel and to keep in my desk drawer at work and my handbag. I hate it when liquid samples with more than one application come in a cardboard container you can't close.
I'm loving my Le Metier Le Cirque Eye kit today. My other eyeshadows don't blend like this.
Mini Lit rollers always gets me.
Loved this post! And I totally agree. I am more likely to be loyal to a certain store if I can get good freebies, GWPs, or just excellent service in general. I do my best to always give my favorite SA's my business first. I like minis because I have a tendency (and I have noticed you do as well) to carry makeup with me in my bag. I really do feel like I need to have it, just in case I want to touch up. Minis are great for this, especially minis of my most favorite items! The other day, I got a mini mascara sample of Chanel Inimitable Intense, and while it is kind of a crap container (lid pops on and off instead of screws), it has a full size brush, and I really do love the mascara! As I am in the market for a new one, things like this really help me decide.
By the way, I am loving my Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Plum lately 🙂
More mini's would be great, provided though that the overall price per ounce remains somewhat within reason when compared to a full size. (Wish BB adhered to this with her cream e/s and gel-liner palettes). Sadly though, I'm more of a life-time-supply type of girl when it comes to shopping, if I love something I end up with one in my bag, one at home, one at the fiancee's. So yes, mini's would be greatly helpful to my wallet.
As far as establishing a rapport with an SA, I find your advice to be wonderful and very respectful. As someone who has worked as an SA, respect and courtesy go a *very* long way–as does legitimate and succinct feedback regarding sampled products, especially when making a habit of weekly, numerous samples.
Favorites right now are tarte cheek stains and cake e/l's, and I'm deciding whether or not I can pull off minimal MU without a tan and relaxed attitude of summer. I'm on an MU-detox (*trying*) to appreciate what genetics gave me, as opposed to something purchased.
Hehe, those are some awesome minis! I love minis too, but I really wish there were more of them that were more functional! For some reason most of the minis I get are either things I wouldn't use or things I already have open full-sizes of (and don't travel with) so they're kind of pointless… I would love some mini lipsticks. My makeup bag is overflowing currently hahaha.
I'm currently loving the BB Day to Night Warm Eye palette – it is absolutely gorgeous and I'm head over heels in love with it! I'm also loving the Jill Stuart Mix Blush in Little Bouquet – it's a lot nicer than I expected and the color is really beautiful! It goes really nicely with Chanel Egerie, and the three have been my FOTD for pretty much the last two weeks haha. Also really loving Butter London Fash Pack. I'm wearing it with Chanel Illusion d'Or right now and it's a super chic break from all my glitter and rhinestones. I also have to say, Lush Buche de Noel cleanser (it's like Angels on Bare Skin but it smells like snickerdoodles) is AMAZING and I'm also loving the Sara Happ Lip Slip I got – it really works wonders! Hm, so yea, I'm pretty happy a lot of stuff right now. 😀
I'm loving Lancome "Rose Deco" powder, from the LE " Les Coquettes" but it's imposible to get it!!! In Spain is solded out weeks ago!!! :((((
Speaking of minis, I just signed up for Mario Badescu online and received 6 decent-sized mini skin care product samples without any purchase!! I was so surprised and impressed with this offer. Mad props to MB!
I totally agree with you about to treat salespeople! I worked in a high end shoe store for a couple of years and we definitely saved perks for our favorite customers (like calling them first when the new collection came in, or giving them extra discounts). I have dealt with all kinds of customers but I can tell you that the best kind does not waste your time pretending that they want to buy. They also treat sales people with RESPECT and not as a kind of slave. And please do not insult the merchandise; this is my biggest pet peeve. You don't have to love everything we show you don't have to be demeaning; you can say it in a nice and classy way!
Now, snooty salespeople are a whole other issue !