10.19.2009 1:07 AM

How to Get Free Makeup Samples (and Why You Should Be Shameless About Asking For Them)

Before purchasing new natural cosmetics, request a free sample and do a simple patch test.

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Photo: studiovitra / Istock

By Sammy Davis

This is the 4th Commandment of The Daily Green's 8 Commandments of Natural Beauty.

Trust me on this one: Every beauty counter, drugstore, or hole-in-the-wall store has samples available for you. The catch? You just have to ask.

While synthetic ingredients are the main perpetrator of allergic reactions, their natural counterparts can still cause allergic reactions. For example, you could be just fine ingesting honey, but topically, it could cause your skin to go haywire. To avoid investing in a product that could potentially cause itchiness, dryness, or discoloration, request a sample so you can perform a patch test before making the full purchase.

As an added benefit, you'll have more time to research the product on sites like Environmental Working Group, where you can search for specific products to learn how it rates in their Skin Deep Cosmetics Database.

Can't find green beauty retailers in your area? Order from online organic beauty retailers, like Saffron Rouge, and get two free samples with every purchase. See more online natural beauty retailers.

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