How to Get Free Makeup from Your Favorite Brands

Getting free makeup from prestige brands is easier than you think. Brands invest heavily in getting their products onto your vanity because they know once you find your perfect shade or formula, you'll become a loyal customer. Here's how to take advantage of their generosity.

MAC Back to MAC Program

MAC Cosmetics' Back to MAC program lets you return six empty MAC product containers in exchange for a free lipstick of your choice. Any MAC product packaging counts — empty foundation bottles, lipstick tubes, eyeshadow pans, even empty packaging from holiday sets. Many MAC fans collect empties specifically for this program.

If you don't have six empties of your own, check with friends, family, and online beauty communities. Many people throw away their empties without knowing about the program and are happy to save them for you. Some secondhand stores and online sellers offer empty MAC containers specifically for Back to MAC redemptions.

Sephora Beauty Insider Rewards

Sephora's tiered loyalty program is one of the most rewarding in retail. The free Beauty Insider tier earns you a birthday gift, access to the rewards bazaar, and two free samples with every online order. The Rouge tier, achieved by spending a certain amount annually, includes free shipping, early access to sales, and exclusive gift sets.

The rewards bazaar features full-size and deluxe products available for points. Check on Tuesdays and Thursdays when new rewards drop. High-value rewards sell out within minutes, so set alerts. Points never expire, so you can save them for premium rewards worth fifty dollars or more.

Influencer and Testing Programs

Many brands run product testing programs where you receive free products in exchange for reviews. BzzAgent is one of the largest, partnering with major makeup brands to send products to testers. Influenster sends VoxBoxes containing multiple products to review. Toluna and Crowdtap also offer beauty product testing opportunities.

You don't need a huge social media following to participate. Many programs select testers based on their profile demographics and purchase behavior rather than follower counts. Create detailed profiles, participate consistently, and you'll receive more frequent invitations to test new products.

Department Store Events and GWP Offers

Gift With Purchase promotions at department stores are a goldmine for free makeup. Clinique, Estee Lauder, and Lancome run GWP events several times per year where spending a modest amount earns you a bag of deluxe samples. Nordstrom, Macy's, and Bloomingdale's all host these events. The gifts often include travel-size mascara, lipstick, skincare, and a cosmetics bag.

Time your essential purchases around GWP events to maximize free products. Sign up for department store emails and apps to receive advance notice. Some stores offer double or triple GWP during special events, making the free products worth more than your actual purchase.

Brand Websites and Social Media

Follow makeup brands on Instagram and TikTok for flash giveaways. ColourPop, e.l.f., and NYX frequently run social media contests with product prizes. Many brands also offer free products through referral programs — share a link with friends, and when they make a purchase, you both receive free items. The beauty community is one of the most generous for freebies, so engage authentically and the products will follow.