Estee Lauder has long been credited as the business woman who started the 'Gift with Purchase' idea, way back in the early 1930's. As co-creator of the famous Estee Lauder line, she first gave handbag-sized samples to friends, and to the rich and beautiful, to introduce them to her products.  Not only was she a good, strong business leader, but she knew how to get the products into department stores and into the hands of their intended market.

And she understood women, stating "Beauty is an attitude.  There's no secret.  Why are all brides beautiful?  Because on their wedding day they care about how they look.  There are no ugly women – only women who don't care or who don't believe they're attractive."

Today there are a number of cosmetic companies that do the GWP special – Estee Lauder, Lancome, Revlon, Clinique, Elizabeth Arden, Clarins – and the list goes on.  They also do the rounds of the department stores.  If you miss the GWP at Myer, you can pick up a similar one a month or two later at David Jones (and even Terry Whites is now getting in on the action).

And I've done them all. I do have favourites, but none are exclusively targeted. Amongst my friends, I am known as the GWP queen.  I love the excitement of new products.  A new make-up or toiletries bag (I end up with so many I give them away to a charity that makes up toiletries packages for children taken into care). Tiny products that are great to use when traveling.  New seasons lipstick colours.  Cosmetics brushes. Mascara, eyeshadow, blush, skincare, and so on and so on.

I haven't bought a new blush, mascara or eyeshadow for decades, as I get them all in GWP packs.  Clinique always includes a small High Impact Mascara in Black which I love, and it means that I can hygienically replace it every 6 to 8 weeks.  I have baskets in the bathroom cupboard (called the 'shop' by my daughters) full of small and full-sized products.  I  love them, I use them, sometimes I do a bit of a stocktake, and sometimes I give them away.

I believe life is too short to not enjoy skincare and makeup.  I love it – but most of all I love the thrill of the chase when I hear there's a new GWP that has hit the streets!  If you've never indulged I'd urge you to try it just once.  It's like a special gift for no reason at all, and you never know, you may just find a new product that is just perfect for you.

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