STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

getting a deal

fairywings · Dooney & Bourke

The cosmetics business is a price fixed business, meaning that it cannot go on sale or be discounted ever. I own a cosmetic boutique and I had to sign contracts with the companies that I carry promising that I would never discount. Sometimes a big chain (like Sephora) can put things on sale and they're such big accounts that the brands can't do anything about it, but usually no matter how great a customer you are, the makeup will always be full price.

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

1- sounds silly but I always ask for samples. Alot of times you can get little bottles that are about a quarter the size of the regular product. This is esp true of Estee Lauder's eye creams.

2- I've never done this but alot of people sell gift cards on ebay.. You may be able to get a Macys $50 gift card for say.. $43.

wicked · Coach

Have you checked outlets for a Cosmetics Company Store? They sell all the EL brands (MAC, Clinique, Bobbi Brown etc) at a discount.

blubirde · Chanel

I can't think of a way to help you with Estee Lauder except for trial sizes but here are two ways to save on other cosmetic/beauty type things:

1. Get on the mailing list for all your local salons and/or beauty boutiques. I get emails advertising 20% off Aveda, different haircare products, etc. about once a month.

2. Check out a perfume outlet. I don't know if everyone already knows about these things (I knew they existed but never thought they had any normal perfumes), but my mom bought everyone on her xmas list perfume for about half of what it cost at Sephora. I know she bought the grandmother an Estee Lauder perfume for super cheap and she got me Stella, which is not a new fragrance so maybe that's their thing but it's the one I wear all the time.

Oh and a lot of my local beauty boutiques have punch cards so you can get a discount if you spend so much money. I obviously buy way too much product but there you have it.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

I think I did quite well with the number of free samples with my online order. Full size items are the tall face cleanser and the skin refinisher. I think it came to about 66 dollars. The trial sizes are nice for travel! Thank you for your ideas.

Not bad.

-- Edited by pollyjean23 at 10:00, 2009-02-14

jettie · Kate Spade

Costco a limited selection of cosmetics (I recently got some STILA things there). Not sure if they have Estee Lauder and specifically what you are looking for but may be worth a shot.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

I got my package yesterday and squealed with absolute delight upon opening the box. I think I did very well with regard to sample-to-purchase ratio!

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

Samples can totally be $-savers. I got a sample from Sephora for Fredderick Fekkai Glossing Creme and since you only need a pea sized drop, the one packet alone will last through several weeks of use. Def a plus when trying to extend that dollar.

Boots · Gucci

I always ask for samples everytime I go into Sephora. They're very nice about it and there are always enough people on the sales floor to easily find someone to help you. This is especially great when i'm looking for a new fragrance. The trial bottles they give are enough to last me week or two. Sometimes the samples result in a pruchase, sometimes not.

BargainQueen · Marc Jacobs

I agree about the samples...years ago they did a piece on the news about this and the lady walked out with a bagful! Just try out a bunch of products and ask for a sample as you try them out..at the end let just buy what you came to buy in the first place.

I also agree that online is the best place to get a deal..I'm thinking of doing this with my foundation. I signed up online with the maker's website and they have some great deals offering free shipping with free samples or 10% off. I've bought moisturizer for a 25% off retail from ebay.