Seriously, Illamasqua?? Seriously, Laura Mercier??

I will just skip over how long it's been since my last post as none of you need to hear the extent of the mental cringing that went on when I saw the last date listed here........

The point of this post is samples. Apparently a contentious subject when it comes to expensive foundation, although my opinion on the subject applies to the entire price spectrum.

source

The reason I have picked on chosen these two brands is because they are both extremely well known for their bases. Everyone and their uncle has written about Illamasqua Skin Base and Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage has been a classic for a bajillion years.

They also happen to be the two brands I wanted to try a sample from during my last visit to the Big Smoke.
This is how it went. For BOTH brands.



Me:  Hello, is possible to get a sample of (Skin Base foundation / Silk Creme foundation) please?
SA: Sorry, we are a colour matching brand. It's better for a make up artist to match you than for you to have a sample and try it at home.



I'm sorry? What now?? It's better for me to trust one person's opinion in shitty department store lighting, with only a few hours left in the day, than for me to have a couple of days worth of a few different colour/ texture possibilities to make sure that the colour is correct and that it doesn't oxidise, turn me into an oil slick, disappear after 5 minutes, or give me the breakout from hell ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Yes that's a lot of question marks right there. It is demonstrating the level of my incredulousness.

To make matters more annoying I have seen samples of BOTH PRODUCTS on various blogs. To be fair, a lot of the Laura Mercier ones were from Sephora (come back to the UK, PLEASE!!) but there were branded sample tubes from Illamasqua.

Are these samples only for people who will bring the brands more publicity and not for the everyday customer who doesn't want to make an expensive mistake? Should I have given some spiel about being a beauty blogger in order to get preferential treatment?

This is not to say that the SAs were unfriendly/unhelpful but there was a little initial snootiness when I made my request.

WAKE UP PEOPLE! This is lazy!

Estee Lauder, Lancome, Clarins and MAC are fantastic at giving samples and, guess what, if the product works, I will come back and buy it.

Guess what I won't do? Buy it blind.

Foundation is expensive but it is the crux of a flawless face and I refuse to waste my money on anything that doesn't live up to expectations.

Did these two? Unless the policies change, I guess I'll never know.

If you got this far, thanks for reading, I would love to hear your opinions and experiences.
xx