Free sample reviews

[archaeologykel]

Hi! Maybe I’m alone in this thought, but maybe Sephora could add something to filter out the “received a free sample” when looking at reviews? (I know there is a “show verified purchases” button but not a lot show as verified purchases) I know when I’m asked to review something I feel obligated to leave a higher review as sort of a thank you and to ensure I keep getting samples, but I think it’s a bit out of control on here. Especially when a product goes up, and instantly gets 400 5-star reviews from sample users that admit they haven’t been using it a long time, it makes it pretty difficult to really gauge a product’s efficacy. The most notable example I saw is the Inkey list retinol eye cream. Myself and a couple other reviewers had problems with it coming out chunky and not creamy any more. Then all of the sudden 200 reviews came in saying it’s the best eye cream ever! They were sample reviews. Now, did they get a different product than those who bought it first? That could be, but it’s difficult for a potential buyer I think if they see all these great reviews only to get the product and it’s not so great, while the purchase reviews get buried in sample reviews. Now, I’m not at all saying those who get samples and review it are lying, and this is in no way meant to offend anyone! I was just wondering if anyone else is having frustrations reading reviews when it’s all sample obligation reviews?

[BeautyScientist]

It's a valid point as many reviews could be more well-informed. I do my best to give reviews after I've solidified my opinion of a product. This takes several uses under different conditions in skin, climate, etc. Occassionally, I can get a feel for how a product performs via sample, but it usually takes at least a trial size (such as in Sephora Play!) to get a capable idea. When reading reviews I always use judiciousness. The more reviews I read for a product, the better idea I get as to how effective it is; in essence, the more reviews, the better. Free sample services could complicate the legitimacy of reviews and always will as long as some remain incentive-based. Even so, it's possible to get samples and give genuine reviews. I've gotten samples in my purchased orders by mail. I wish I could do more Verified Purchase reviews, but honestly, the expenses would add up fast - so trial sizes of products I get in beauty boxes can prove useful for review if done properly. To your point, 'I received this as a free sample' does sound like a lure for sample service users, and is probably most often checked by them. But I have used it to inform others of the free samples I've received in my Sephora orders as well. Having said this, it comes down to a feature that attracts a good portion of illegitimate reviews, so it may be best contained in some way - as you suggested, a filter.

[CheerMomma]

I think there are relatively few ‘verified purchase’ reviews because it’s only been introduced recently so of the reviews on the product the verified ones haven’t had a chance to build up.

those reviewing as part of a promotion, ie influenster are required to disclose that in the review, they is, if they play by the rules. 

[Kim888]

@archaeologykel it's extremely frustrating - especially when I do sort by verified purchase and it goes from like 50 reviews to 2. I do appreciate sephora added the verified purchase button, it's been really helpful! I think it's most frustrating when a brand new product suddenly just has all positive reviews. Maybe they could only allow verified purchasers to review for the first couple of weeks a product page is up? That would be helpful for me !

[GG84]

@Kim888 

I do like this idea! I’m not familiar with the platforms that send people out the free products like influenster, but shouldn’t it be sufficient to post. a review there? 
If no one takes them seriously except the hoards of other influensters whom all upvote each other, the only thing the reviews do is give a false high star rating to the product. 

[GG84]

@archaeologykel 

It’s not people who received the product as a sample in the sense that it came in their order. 
It’s through programs like Influenster where the participants (I assume) only receive MORE free full sized items if they post 5 star reviews across all platforms possible. 
I bought SHANI DARDEN SKIN CARE - Cleansing Serum and posted my review (that the product is terrible) next thing I know  I’m getting tons of messages from new BIC users asking me to consider changing my review. Um what? The reviews on the above mentioned product don’t even pertain to the actual product, some users wrote it’s smells SOOO good, some wrote its unscented when in reality it’s neither. 

It’s very frustrating that we have to sort through these reviews. I just click on “verified reviews only” now. 

[Kim888]

@GG84 that's insane - why would they individually care about your review??? It doesn't effect them at all haha 

[GG84]

@Kim888 

Im thinking employees or people paid to review 🤷🏼‍♀️

[archaeologykel]

Hi! I should have specified that I was talking about the samples from companies like Pinchme and influenster like you mentioned. I have seen reviews that are so obviously made up, too! On PTR retinoid serum one person said they used it morning and night and their skin has never been better. Umm you should never use a retinoid in the morning, let alone twice a day! So yeah, it’s becoming difficult to shop with these reviews.

[grizzlymaze]

Yea I'm absolutely sick to death of meaningless reviews here at Sephora.com. I noticed earlier a new moisturizer by Caudalie, 115 reviews all within the last couple of weeks, and not a single person purchased the product. Instead of piquing my interest to see all these wonderful, glowing results, it actually did the opposite and turned me off. So whether it is freebies from Influenster or elsewhere, full size or sample, I just wish they would all go away.

[archaeologykel]

Hi! I agree! It’s pretty time consuming to have to go through hundreds of generic reviews to actually find one that describes the product that helps you decide if you want to purchase or not. There are some expensive products on here and I want thorough reviews to know if I should lay down the money for it or not!

[Chelscamps]

Agreed as well! I use the reviews to know whether or not the product is worth my money... I mean it's kind of the point of a review, to see whether an expensive product is worth it or not!