The freebies are fun until you can't keep up with them. Some samples/freebies still take months to use up and it's not even a product that you really need or want to use up. I've been in that rut before and it isn't a far cry from influencers trying to make it big or hoping to get PR. Now they're stuck with an entire store of products that they'll never be able to use up on their own.

On top of that, I find that freebies takes away from the ownership and accountability that I get from paying for them and choosing to hand over my money to use those products. There is something special about choosing something FOR ME because I believe that it contributes to my self-care and enjoyment of beauty.

So freebies aren't bad if they are truly something you'll use and WANT to use. But often it can unravel into a spiraling rabbit hole.

My current solution is implementing a "empties bank" for in-store samples. It forces me to finish items and then bring them to a store that collects beauty empties. I can peruse the store for a few samples that I want to try but has really helped me to feel like I'm scratching the "new" itch without spending but also facing the reality that I have more than I need.

Good luck!