topic Re: Product Testing in Savvy Shoppers

Product Testing

Sunsetsusie — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:19:38 GMT

I see a lot of comments on reviews that people received the product for free in exchange for an honest review… how does this happen?

Appreciate any insight!

Re: Product Testing

quspork — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:48:28 GMT

@Sunsetsusie Usually those reviewers have signed up for programs like Influenster and received free product in exchange for reviewing it on various websites.

Re: Product Testing

Sunsetsusie — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 17:29:06 GMT

Thank you for sharing!

Re: Product Testing

asarch — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 20:57:57 GMT

I wish we had the option to filter those out when looking at reviews. I want to see a review not possibly biased because it was free. Actually, I wish Sephora didn't even allow them:

Re: Product Testing

danielledanielle — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 22:04:02 GMT

@asarch , you can filter them out by selecting "Verified Purchases Only" in settings.

Re: Product Testing

asarch — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 22:36:38 GMT

That is just sad then. I went to look at the Farmacy Niacinamide Night Mask. Out of 538 reviews, there is 1, yes only one, verified purchase.

Re: Product Testing

Jodilr — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 16:26:32 GMT

I wish that these reviews were not allowed to be posed on Sephora because they are Influenced by the fact that people are getting hundreds of dollars worth of free products. It takes away from Sephora and I actually buy products elsewhere now.

Re: Product Testing

missjeanie — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 16:33:08 GMT

@Jodilr While I haven't gotten free product from Influancer like most of the reviewers you're mentioning, I have gotten product in exchange for review from Sephora and I can tell you that they do not all get positive reviews. Though... I do understand what you mean about a lot of people getting amped up about getting the product for free and that showing in the reviews. The good thing... you can easily filter out these reviews by clicking on the 'verified only' filter. Only those reviews of people who made their purchase at Sephora will be shown. I'd also say that if you're looking for reviews on BIC through Brand Threads or Monthly Favourites and Fails you'll get a wide variety of honest reviews as well.

Re: Product Testing

missjeanie — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 16:34:16 GMT

@asarch This is a fairly new product you're looking at... it'll take time for verified purchases to show up with reviews.

Re: Product Testing

renataoliveira — Sun, 30 Jan 2022 04:12:09 GMT

I always keep an good eye on Sephora’s offers cause we can receive trial size products if we spend a minimum of $35. And I always ask the beauty advisers at the store if they have any trial size products or free samples! Haha they usually do! So in this case I could write a review based on these trial size products, not necessarily receiving them for this purpose

Re: Product Testing

SusanM85 — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 13:14:18 GMT

I belong to many of those programs where they send you a free product in exchange for a review. The majority of us do in fact give an honest review, but I do agree, there are some who will give a bad product a 5 star review because they think it will keep them in the program. We do not get removed from the program for leaving a bad review, we are suppose to be honest. Those programs are no different then the "gratis" here on Sephora.

Re: Product Testing

JennyK28 — Mon, 16 May 2022 09:09:08 GMT

Hey girl I read your comment and was curious, when you tested products in exchange for review from Sephora, how did you get this opportunity? Is there somewhere to sign up?

Either way thank you!

Re: Product Testing

glowwithamb — Mon, 16 May 2022 16:23:43 GMT

Does anyone know how you can sign up to get these free products sent to you in exchange for an honest review? I love filming reviews on my social media, and I would love to type some up for sephora!

Re: Product Testing

WinglessOne — Mon, 16 May 2022 18:09:47 GMT

@glowwithamb @JennyK28 Sephora BIC* mods/admins sometimes select BIC members to receive gratis. I don't know the exact criteria, but it helps if you actively participate on BIC: post and/or comment in threads, add photos to the Gallery, etc. Apparently you don't need a specific BIC rank (Rookie, Rising Star, etc.) to be selected; I think I was Rising Star or Go-Getter the first time Sephora gifted me a product, and I've seen Rookies get gratis. Just play nice with other members and participate on a fairly regular basis, and you might be chosen for future product freebies in exchange for an honest review.

Also, I doubt negative reviews kick you off Sephora's "gratis list," so to speak. I've dinged some gratis products hard in my reviews, including one Sephora Collection product in particular. So there's no point leaving a dishonestly glowing review just to receive more Sephora-gifted freebies.

*BIC = Beauty Insider Community, the online forum you're reading right now.

Re: Product Testing

JennyK28 — Mon, 16 May 2022 18:34:48 GMT

Oh wow this is super helpful and inciteful! I really appreciate you taking the time to explain this to me. Thank you so much love!

Re: Product Testing

glowwithamb — Wed, 18 May 2022 19:59:37 GMT

thank you so much for your help! i'll definetly have to stay more active on here:)

Re: Product Testing

Morningstar179 — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 19:51:05 GMT

I am looking for the same help!

Re: Product Testing

Pahadan — Sun, 03 Sep 2023 21:05:15 GMT

So we can get free trial products from their stores?

Re: Product Testing

SportyGirly125 — Sun, 03 Sep 2023 21:30:05 GMT

@Pahadan @You can ask for samples in stores

Re: Product Testing

StephaniePierre — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 17:39:05 GMT

I been receiving couple free products to test from free testing sites after you just leave your reviews after testing the products like bizz agent & couples other sites,you can google free testing products