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The web is alive with beauty samples
Who doesn't like samples?
Whether it's Chick-fil-A bites on a toothpick at the mall's food court or the sample bottle of lotion you find at the drug store when you realize your knuckles are dusty, there's nothing better than getting a taste of something before you dive right in.
And it looks like the beauty industry gets it! A number of new companies are sprouting up offering samples of pricey beauty products. The idea is "try before you buy."
Among the newest is Best In Beauty, the brainchild of Tara Runkle, a Tampa resident and former TV director. Runkle got the idea for BIB during her eight years at HSN, where beauty products bring in big bucks.
"They spent too much money on products before they knew if it really worked," said Runkle, 36, about the women she encountered.
Runkle's idea isn't new, but what makes it different is that it's free. At the website, you give up your name, digits and some other vitals. Print a coupon and go to one of the BIB's participating salons.
The Deal Divas and friends decided to test out a few of BIB's products. Because frankly, what's the point if the stuff isn't even worth the gas money to go pick it up?
I'm told the products change from time to time, but my little pink BIB bag came with 3 samples:
1. Self-Tanning Towlette by Comodynes Cosmetics, 41.50 for a set of 30 at QVC.com
the rundown: It doesn't stink like other self-tanners, but does have a bit of a chemically smell. It's easy to use like a baby wipe. one towel was enough for face, chest and arms -- mostly dried out before reaching the legs. Color was subtle. Samplelicous!
2. HD (High Definition) Hair Care Serum, $56.00 at www.highdefinitionskincare.com
the rundown: This sample came in a tiny tube smaller than a travel-size bottle of hand-sanitizer.The liquid serum is clear and light. In fact it was so watery, it's hard to tell which part of your hair got some serum and which didn't. On a positive note, after a blow dry the serum gave the hair a lot of body. Sample at your own risk!
3. Goddessy RX Rich Anti-Aging Defense, $69 for 1 oz. jar.
the rundown: The cream is light, not too oily. There's not much of a smell, which is great. There's nothing worse than an anti-aging cream that smells, well, aged. After a couple days of trying the stuff, I noticed a bit of a glow and so do others. What I really wanted was for my puffy eyes to take a few days off, but I can live with the glow. Samplelicious!
In all the BIB beauty bag is probably worth the drive to one of their participating spas. Whether or not you'll decide to buy a full size of their samples is up to you.
Here are a few other companies getting their sample on.
New Beauty Test Tube -- For $29.95 you'll get a sampling of a wide variety of beauty products in a nifty test tube. Products are top of the line and include Estee Lauder and Lancome. You can sign up for the service monthly.
Beauty Habit -- For $15.00 Beauty Habit will send you a random sample of the many lines and products they carry. Products range from bath and body, to candles to men's skin care lines. If you like the products they're easy to order from BH's website.
~Deal Diva Nicole
(photos, qvc.com and amazon.com)
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Looking for shopping deals in Tampa Bay? The Deal Divas are on the prowl, sniffing out hot fashion finds that won't leave your wallet in ruins. Now you never have to miss a shopping deal! Sign up for weekly Deal Diva Alerts by e-mail. by e-mail. And check in often for the lowdown on local bargains, as well as fashion advice, fun photos and style news. Because shopping should be all about the Washingtons!
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THE AUTHORS
Stephanie Hayes came out of the womb wearing high heels. While other kids were reciting multiplication tables, she was learning to calculate an extra third off the half-price discount during buy-one-get-one week. She loves animal prints, black mascara and anything that sparkles. She objects to visible panty lines, Crocs and anything that costs more than a car payment. And she doesn't drive a nice car. She can be reached at (727) 893-8857 or shayes@tampabay.com.
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Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her
mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost,
but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan,
she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never
needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her
closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can
be reached at (727) 893-8643 or kstanley@tampabay.com.
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A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or lstein@tampabay.com.
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Coming from a long line of fashionable women, Kim Wilmath considers herself lucky to fit into their hand-me-downs. Her wardrobe staples include her grandma's vintage blouses and her mom's funky jewelry. When she's in the market for "new" items, Kim hits her favorite thrift stores -- a habit she also picked up from mom. But when circumstances require a visit to the shiny stores in the mall, you'll find Kim at the sale rack like a good little diva. She can be reached at (813) 661-2442 or kwilmath@tampabay.com.
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