Product Samples

In general, I love a free sample. It's one of my favorite things about cosmetics stores (the over attention of the salespeople is my least favorite, see below). The biggest drawback of samples in my mind is my general unease about the environmental impact of getting single-use anything, particularly when it's in a non recyclable container. However, I'm still somewhat of a girly-girl when it comes to what one college friend always referred to as "product" and will fall for just about anything with a pretty smell and lovely packaging. Ahem.

Back to the strong feelings. Shampoo samples need to come in packages that can be opened in the shower.

Actually, I'm not sure that needs much elaboration. But seriously, product designers: if you give me a sample of your product in a package that can not be opened in the environment in which it is designed to be used, then I'm never going to use it and thus never be converted. I'm sure the indented tabs looked good in the lab, but in practice dry hands and/or scissors are often necessary, and neither of those is present in the shower.

Yesterday morning I dismantled an old razor blade and tried to use it to saw through the plastic (I know, I know, and from futernatural.com no less) package. No luck. I'll never know if that product was going to end my quest for a natural hair care product that doesn't leave my hair unclean, brittle, and/or stringy.