Category Archives: Free Samples Membership Sites

PINCHme September 2018 Free Sample Order Review

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Although, I love that PINCHme keeps sending me free magazine redemption codes, it disappoints to see it is not as easy as it once was to get free samples. It has been so long since I’ve purchased a magazine subscription yet thanks to companies like this, I always get them. My guess is the magazine industry (at least in print form will be non-existent in the next five to ten years). I do most of my reading online anyway, so I will not miss print magazines once they are officially a thing of the past. Companies must adapt over time to grow (unless they have a niche market on lock), so I do not begrudge PINCHme for the changes. Nevertheless, I would be amiss to continue reviewing items without noting them.

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Sample Source Fall 2018 Review

After missing the deadline to review the samples I received in the spring, I assumed I got blacklisted from receiving more. Some of the free sampling sites are more forgiving than others. One accused me of missing a deadline even though I never did, and I have not been invited back since (comment below if you want to know which one). My suspicions amplified when I did not get an invite to the summer samples. Then, I got invited to the fall samples. Sample Source was ready to forgive my transgression after a single season off. It was either a punishment or my profile did not match the freebies they had lined up, but the idea it was the former makes me laugh. I logged in to see that I was only getting one item. Even better, it was one I already sampled in the spring. At least, I can finally review it. Reviewing it will hopefully put me back in its good graces, so I can get more samples in the spring (they do not send anyone samples in the winter).

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Influenster Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Brightening Amine Face Lift Serum VoxBox Review

Influenster gives free trial products of everything from beauty products to household items. To qualify for programs, you fill out quick product surveys. Once you’ve qualified, they mail the products. Try them and tell people what you think in person and on social media. Complete a short exit survey and review the product(s) on Influenster. The more active you are the more programs you qualify for. Everything received from Influenster is free. Some virtual Voxboxes or multi product packages include coupons to redeem for the product. At times, the coupon will not cover the full amount, but you can opt out of any program that only offers discounts or does not interest you. If you are unfamiliar with Influenster, you can read my overview.

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BzzAgent Campaign Downy Unstoppables Fresh Scent

BzzAgent is an international network of consumers who take part in word-of-mouth campaigns for a variety of products and services. It is a membership program that gives subscribers free products to try. After trying the free products, members review and share their experiences with the campaigns to qualify for future campaigns. Short surveys will appear in your profile. Complete them to see if there are any new campaigns available. How many programs you qualify for will depend on your participation efforts and BzzScore. The more you do the higher your score.

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BrandBacker and Lypsyl Silky Swedish Beeswax Lip Balm Intense Protection Review

My lips are very dry. As I’ve stated many times over the past couple of years, I am on the hunt for the perfect lip balm. In my attempt to find the perfect lip balm for the best possible price, I have purchased countless balms. Every time I think I am ready to post my comprehensive review article, I purchase more lip balms to test. I did that once again, so I am still testing new ones. My goal is to get that large review up before the winter is over. Fingers crossed I can stop buying lip balm long enough to finish the article. In order to properly review a lip balm, I need a minimum of two weeks using it multiple times a day with no other lip balms. In some cases, I am even able to test it with no other lip products, because it is not unusual for me to go two weeks without wearing makeup. It also helps to stop using any lip balm at all after testing one to see how my lips feel after I stop using the product.

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The Time I Got Orange Hair Courtesy of PINCHme and Clairol nice ‘n easy

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Maybe I should have titled this article, The Two Times I Got Orange Hair Courtesy of PINCHme and Clairol nice n’ easy. I am the type of person who will sometimes give things (and people) a second chance even when they’ve proven they do not deserve it. That happened with this hair color. After the one I mentioned in my free samples article failed, I convinced myself that I owed it to the brand to try it again before writing my review. That one was a different color, Medium Ash Blonde 8A, and maybe this color would not be as bad. It could have been user error, I told myself. Yes, I victim blamed. My Spring 2018 Walmart Beauty Box had a coupon for another free box of nice ‘n easy. Thankfully, I forgot about it, and the coupon expired before I could redeem it.

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Influenster Campaign Kohl’s Back to School VirtualVox

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My kids and I usually do our back-to-school shopping toward the end of July or the beginning of August. Summer vacation is almost over and school starts again in two weeks and one day. This summer went way too fast and as they spent a month of it with their Dad, what time I did get with them was far from enough. On 07/19/18, I received an email from Influenster that it selected me to join its Kohl’s Back to School VirtualVox. Like every other VirtualVox, you get selected without doing any surveys. Thus, you get to decide which ones you take part in and which ones to ignore. My plan was to head over to Kohl’s and see if they had any items my boys wanted. If they did not want anything, I would have declined to take part in this one.

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Paula’s Choice Testing Panel

I’ve always appreciated that Paula’s Choice does not do animal testing. While I have not yet boycotted brands that do, I like buying from those that do not. My skin is sensitive, so I get reactions from products. It is still nice to try as many new products as possible, and I use Beautypedia (an expert site once affiliated with Paula’s Choice that uses scientific research instead of opinions for reviews) as a first stop in seeing what ingredients may have caused my reaction. Both sites are a great source of information. Anyone can sign up for Paula’s Choice Testing Panel to test products and give feedback. Panelists immediately fill out a short skin care profile. When Paula’s Choice needs a new item tested, it reviews profiles. A short survey determines whether the panelist moves forward. Those who do take part in the test fill out an exit survey by the deadline. Successfully complete one test to qualify for more.

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Sample Source Spring 2018

SampleSource provides free samples in exchange for your opinion. Register and fill out your profile. If samples suited to your profile become available, they will send you an email. Quantities are limited, so respond as soon as you get the email to make sure yours do not run out of stock. A few weeks after your samples arrive, you will get an email asking to review the products. The review is an exit survey that only has a few questions per product. Neither a blog post nor any social media promotion is required. I only write a post to share the service with you. There are no referrals for this service, so all links are direct.

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L’Oreal Consumer Testing Compensation for Five Informational Studies

L’Oreal owns a lot of brands. While they sadly are not cruelty free, they do consumer testing in the US. Beauty lovers who wish to test products under the L’Oreal umbrella should become members of L’Oreal Consumer Testing Panel. Panelists are given informational surveys or free products to review. Signing up for the program is not always easy, because there are times when they do not accept new panelists. I attempted to sign up twice before I was successful on my third attempt. From the first attempt to the third, there was a nine-month span.

Once accepted into the program, panelists complete short qualification surveys determine eligibility in a survey/study. If selected for a testing panel, follow the step by step directions, and see it to completion. In addition to receiving testing products for free, you will receive compensation upon completion. Compensation varies based on the study you take part in. It can range from very little value for lower-end studies to hundreds of dollars worth of products for higher-end studies. Those participating in informational surveys get compensated upon completion of the fifth survey.

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BzzAgent Campaign Sensodyne Rapid Relief Mint Toothpaste

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BzzAgent is an international network of consumers who take part in word-of-mouth campaigns for a variety of products and services. It is a membership program that gives subscribers free products to try. After trying the free products, members review and share their experiences with the campaigns to qualify for future campaigns. Short surveys will appear in your profile. Complete them to see if there are any new campaigns available. How many programs you qualify for will depend on your participation efforts and BzzScore. The more you do the higher your score.

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Influenster Erno Laszlo Phelityl Night Cream VoxBox Review

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Influenster gives free trial products of everything from beauty products to household items. To qualify for programs, you fill out quick product surveys. Once you’ve qualified, they mail the products. Try them and tell people what you think in person and on social media. Complete a short exit survey and review the product(s) on Influenster. The more active you are the more programs you qualify for. Everything received from Influenster is free. Some virtual Voxboxes or multi product packages include coupons to redeem for the product. At times, the coupon will not cover the full amount, but you can opt out of any program that only offers discounts or does not interest you. If you are unfamiliar with Influenster, you can read my overview.

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DAILY GOODIE BOX Review -A Year Overdue

Brent from DAILY GOODIE BOX reached out to me in January of 2017 to see if I wanted to sample a box of freebies. The answer to that question is almost always a resounding yes. I love trying new things, but it is more fun to try them when they’re free. While the box was in transit, my Dad passed away. My Dad was my best friend and my favorite confidant. He gave the best advice, and I felt lost without him. To make matters worse, my husband accepted a new job far away from my friends and family. Moving Day to the new city was the day after my Dad died. Blogging was the furthest thing from my mind so I could not bring myself to write. Some say time heals all wounds, but I do not think that’s true.

It has been almost a year since my Dad passed, and my heart is in no better shape than it was the day it happened. In fact, it feels worse. During my free fall into depression, my husband decided it was all too much for him. He threw in the towel, and everyone else felt so far away. People tried to reach out, and I will always appreciate that. My figurative voice was gone so I was unable to express anything or reach out for help. Feeling all alone in the world is a hard thing to overcome, and depression is very lonely.

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PINCHme Volume Eleven

PINCHme is a free sampling service. Complete your profile where you answer questions about your household and shopping habits. On select Tuesdays at 9am PST when new samples release, you can order any available that match your profile. The better samples tend to run out quickly, so log in as early as possible. Once you’ve tried the samples, you complete a short survey. As long as you complete your surveys in a timely manner, you are eligible to receive future samples.

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Challenge: Condition Your Hair Before You Shampoo It

There are a lot of beauty trends that make no sense to me, like bright red lipstick under your eyes to conceal dark circles. Then, there are others that seem a little odd, but I can see the reasoning when I really examine what people are going for. Conditioning your hair before you shampoo it is one of them. Could those with lifeless or flat hair who need conditioner to soften and assist with tangles reverse the typical rotation and still achieve beautiful hair? More companies are jumping on this bandwagon and actually creating systems designed to reverse your routine. TreSemme is one of those companies, and I actually got a chance to try its reverse system when I joined an Influenster VoxBox earlier this year. Systems marketed that way are definitely, but I wanted to see if they actually worked better in reverse. Of course, you could always try this challenge with your current shampoo and conditioner instead of rushing out to buy a set that is specifically marketed as a reverse system.

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Paula’s Choice Panel Test Mystery Product Three

I’ve always appreciated that Paula’s Choice does not do animal testing. While I have not yet boycotted brands that do, I like buying from those that do not. My skin is sensitive, so I get reactions from products. It is still nice to try as many new products as possible, and I use Beautypedia (an expert site affiliated with Paula’s Choice that uses scientific research instead of opinions for reviews) as a first stop in seeing what ingredients may have caused my reaction. Both sites are a great source of information. Anyone can sign up for Paula’s Choice Testing Panel to test products and give feedback. Panelists immediately fill out a short skin care profile. When Paula’s Choice needs a new item tested, it reviews profiles. A short survey determines whether the panelist moves forward. Those who do take part in the test fill out an exit survey by the deadline. Successfully complete one test to qualify for more.

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Influenster Reviewer’s Choice Awards -Beauty Awards Badge and Virtual VoxBox

Influenster gives free trial products of everything from beauty products to household items. To qualify for programs, you fill out quick product surveys. Once you’ve qualified, they mail the products. Try them and tell people what you think in person and on social media. Complete a short exit survey and review the product(s) on Influenster. The more active you are the more programs you qualify for. Everything received from Influenster is free. Some virtual Voxboxes or multi product packages include coupons to redeem for the product. At times, the coupon will not cover the full amount, but you can opt out of any program that only offers discounts or does not interest you. If you are unfamiliar with Influenster, you can read my overview.

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BzzAgent Campaign ClariSpray™ Nasal Allergy Spray

BzzAgent is an international network of consumers who take part in word-of-mouth campaigns for a variety of products and services. It is a membership program that gives subscribers free products to try. After trying the free products, members review and share their experiences with the campaigns to qualify for future campaigns. Short surveys will appear in your profile. Complete them to see if there are any new campaigns available. When you complete surveys, you can accept free MyPoints offers. There are over 1 million BzzAgents in the US, Canada and the UK.

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BrandBacker Campaign derma e New Packaging and Reviews for Hydrating Day Creme and Hydrating Night Cream

Brandbacker is a community open to social media influencers. People who actively post product reviews on: blogs, Youtube, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and/or Facebook apply for campaigns they want to take part in. Applying is an easy process that takes less than a minute. Brands review the user’s profile and social reach and decide if the member is a good fit for the campaign. In exchange for free products, reviewers share their thoughts with their social networks. I love testing new products and sharing my reviews, so this program is perfect for me. The only caveat is brands get to review posts before they go live, so articles on products that do not perform could be killed before the article even gets published. If a brand kills my article for an unfavorable review, I will not work with that brand in the future. As always, free products do not affect my review.

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Influenster Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo Refresh and Revive VoxBox Review

Influenster gives free trial products of everything from beauty products to household items. To qualify for programs, you fill out quick product surveys. Once you’ve qualified, they mail the products. Try them and tell people what you think in person and on social media. Complete a short exit survey and review the product(s) on Influenster. The more active you are the more programs you qualify for. Everything received from Influenster is free. Some virtual Voxboxes or multi product packages include coupons to redeem for the product. At times, the coupon will not cover the full amount, but you can opt out of any program that only offers discounts or does not interest you. If you are unfamiliar with Influenster, you can read my overview.

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Crowdtap Review Curél® Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer Mission

Crowdtap allows tappers to sample free products and earn rewards in the process. It is a place where consumers and brands collaborate to: share opinions, ideas, and market through social sharing. This company has a two-part reward system. Those who earn a specified number of points get a reward. There are opportunities to team up with brands to test products in exchange for reviews. Successful completion of brand missions get points, which in turn helps tappers get more rewards.

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PINCHme Volume Ten

PINCHme is a free sampling service. Complete your profile where you answer questions about your household and shopping habits. On select Tuesdays at 9am PST when new samples release, you can order any available that match your profile. The better samples tend to run out quickly, so log in as early as possible. Once you’ve tried the samples, you complete a short survey. As long as you complete your surveys in a timely manner, you are eligible to receive future samples.

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CrowdTap Rewards Another Free Amazon Gift Card

I discovered CrowdTap about a month ago, and I’ve already redeemed my second reward. My first reward was also an Amazon gift card, so I am unsure if there is any retailer variation or if all rewards come from Amazon. As an Amazon Prime member, I enjoy receiving Amazon gift cards. Crowdtap allows tappers to sample free products and earn rewards in the process. It is a place where consumers and brands collaborate to: share opinions, ideas, and market through social sharing. This company has a two-part reward system. Those who earn a specified number of points get a reward. There are opportunities to team up with brands to test products in exchange for reviews. Successful completion of brand missions get points, which in turn helps tappers get more rewards.

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L’Oreal Consumer Testing S16-46 HOME Skin Study Face Cream and Compensation

There are a lot of brands under the L’Oreal umbrella, so panelists of the L’Oreal Consumer Testing Panel get a chance to test anything from those brands for free. Signing up for the program is not always easy, because there are times when they do not accept new panelists. I attempted to sign up twice before I was successful on my third attempt. From the first attempt to the third, there was a nine-month span. Once accepted into the program, panelists complete short qualification surveys determine eligibility in a survey/study. If selected for a panel, follow the step by step directions, and see it to completion. In addition to receiving testing products for free, you will receive compensation upon completion. Compensation varies based on the study you take part in. It can range from very little value for lower-end studies to hundreds of dollars worth of products for higher-end studies.

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CrowdTap Rewards A Free Amazon Gift Card

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I discovered a new way to sample free products and earn rewards in the process. It’s called CrowdTap, and it is a place where consumers and brands collaborate to: share opinions, ideas, and market through social sharing. This company has a two-part reward system. Those who earn a specified number of points get a reward. There are opportunities to team up with brands to test products in exchange for reviews. Successful completion of brand missions get points, which in turn helps tappers get more rewards

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BzzAgent BIC® XTRA-Fun #2 Pencils with Stripes

BzzAgent is an international network of consumers who take part in word-of-mouth campaigns for a variety of products and services. It is a membership program that gives subscribers free products to try. After trying the free products, members review and share their experiences with the campaigns to qualify for future campaigns. Short surveys will appear in your profile. Complete them to see if there are any new campaigns available. When you complete surveys, you can accept free MyPoints offers. There are over 1 million BzzAgents in the US, Canada and the UK.

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Influenster Back To Cool Virtual VoxBox

Influenster gives free trial products of everything from beauty products to household items. To qualify for programs, you fill out quick product surveys. Once you’ve qualified, they mail the products. Try them and tell people what you think in person and on social media. Complete a short exit survey and review the product(s) on Influenster. The more active you are the more programs you qualify for. Everything received from Influenster is free. Some virtual Voxboxes or multi product packages include coupons to redeem for the product. At times, the coupon will not cover the full amount, but you can opt out of any program that only offers discounts or does not interest you. If you are unfamiliar with Influenster, you can read my overview.

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Paula’s Choice Testing Panel Volume Two

I’ve always appreciated that Paula’s Choice does not do animal testing. While I have not yet boycotted brands that do, I like buying from those that do not. My skin is sensitive, so I get reactions from products. It is still nice to try as many new products as possible, and I use Beautypedia (an expert site affiliated with Paula’s Choice that uses scientific research instead of opinions for reviews) as a first stop in seeing what ingredients may have caused my reaction. Both sites are a great source of information. Anyone can sign up for Paula’s Choice Testing Panel to test products and give feedback. Panelists immediately fill out a short skin care profile. When Paula’s Choice needs a new item tested, it reviews profiles. A short survey determines whether the panelist moves forward. Those who do take part in the test fill out an exit survey by the deadline. Successfully complete one test to qualify for more.

Continue reading →

PINCHme Volume Nine

PINCHme is a free sampling service. Complete your profile where you answer questions about your household and shopping habits. On select Tuesdays at 9am PST when new samples release, you can order any available that match your profile. The better samples tend to run out quickly, so log in as early as possible. Once you’ve tried the samples, you complete a short survey. As long as you complete your surveys in a timely manner, you are eligible to receive future samples.

Continue reading →

BzzAgent Campaign L’Oreal Root Cover Up

BzzAgent is an international network of consumers who take part in word-of-mouth campaigns for a variety of products and services. It is a membership program that gives subscribers free products to try. After trying the free products, members review and share their experiences with the campaigns to qualify for future campaigns. Short surveys will appear in your profile. Complete them to see if there are any new campaigns available. When you complete surveys, you can accept free MyPoints offers. There are over 1 million BzzAgents in the US, Canada and the UK.

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