So, I was at Sephora last week with my niece, and let me tell you, it sparked a serious “I need to tell you about this” moment. You’ve been there: you’re at the register, and the salesperson practically throws a handful of samples your way. “Try this! Try that!” they say, and you’re like, “Sure, why not?”

But here’s the deal: don’t take them all home.

Let’s get real. Samples are fantastic—if you actually use them. But if you’re like me, you’ve probably stashed away a drawer full of them, only to forget about them. They sit there, mocking you, until one day you realize you haven’t touched them in years.

Here’s a little trick I learned the hard way: only take home what you’re actually excited to try. 

Look at each sample and ask yourself, “Am I genuinely interested in this brand or product?” If the answer is yes, grab just one or two. Use them ASAP because those little packets have a short shelf life. Trust me, the longer they sit in your medicine cabinet, the more likely they’ll end up in the trash.

Why You Should Be Picky

1. Avoid Clutter: Too many samples clutter up your space and make it harder to keep track of what you actually want to use.
2. Use It or Lose It: Samples aren’t like fine wine—they don’t get better with age. They have expiration dates and can go bad quickly.
3. Future You Will Thank You: Research shows that anything you bring into your home becomes 10x harder to remove. Each year that passes makes it even harder to toss or donate. So, do your future self a favor and be selective.

The Bottom Line

Be militant about what you bring into your home. Say no to samples you know you’ll never use or, if you must, only say yes to one or two that genuinely pique your interest. It’s a small change that will make a huge difference in keeping your space organized and stress-free.

Help your future self by making smarter choices today. Because let’s be honest, no one needs a drawer full of expired beauty samples.