A Black Market For Beauty Sample Trading

Beauty samples are easy to obtain. All you have to do is approach any beauty counter or Sephora location and ask for a sample of whichever product you choose. Not only that, but many retail companies send samples along with online purchases or even in-store purchases.

So why is there a black market for such products? Not as dangerous as the real Black Market, but online beauty sample trading forums are becoming more and more common. Ever receive a sample you didn’t want to use? Now you can trade it online for a sample you’d prefer.

Such a strange concept, (to me at least) yet countless online forums exist for this exact practice. Beauty Box Swaps, for example, is a Facebook group dedicated to beauty sample swapping. Over 2,000 worldwide members interact with each other to swap products every year.

Is this practice worth it? Sending samples and receiving them seems like such a hassle, especially when they’re so easily attainable. Would you ever take part in the beauty sample black market?

Ally | Elite.

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