Free Makeup: This Is Not A Drill, People!

Today it was brought to my attention by Joy that tomorrow, companies like Chanel, Dior, Estee Lauder, L'Oreal and Clarins are giving away FREE full-size cosmetics products as part of a class action lawsuit settlement! I had a hard time buying this story because it seemed too good to be true, but it's been written about by the Wall Street Journal and other reputable outlets. And today I was at Macy's in San Anotnio and I saw the set-up for tomorrow's giveaway. There were lines set up and instructions/rules for the giveaway were posted.

Wait...what?
It's all because of a lawsuit filed in a California federal court that alleged cosmetics companies and department stores engaged in price-fixing. The alleged price fixing occurred between 1994-2003 so this giveaway is aimed at compensating consumers who overpaid during that time period. According to the WSJ, "the giveaway is part of an agreement to settle a suit filed in 2003 in a California federal court that alleged the stores tried to limit sales and scale back on the amount of cosmetics in their inventory, keeping both prices and competition high.They were ordered by a federal court in California to give away $175 million dollars in free cosmetics to consumers." The text of the settlement and a list of the participating stores and products that will be given out can be found here. You qualify for a free product from one of these companies if you purchased a department store cosmetic between May 29, 1994 and July 16, 2003. If you fit the bill, head to your local participating store to pick up your freebie settlement item.

That's great Miss Cinnamon Roll, but how do I get my hands on this free stuff?
It's easy (if you don't have a job)! Just show up to your nearest participating store tomorrow morning, wait in line, and get your free product! I would recommend getting there early, a few minutes before the stores open, because the giveaway is first-come-first-served. Although this giveaway is designed to compensate consumers for overpaying during the ten year time period, no proof of purchase is necessary.

I know I posted this late, but this story didn't go public until a few days ago, and I wasn't comfortable sharing until I saw the proof with my own eyes! If any of you actually go to the giveaway, please write a comment and let us know how it went! I'm crossing my fingers for some J'Adore perfume! I will update the post with my experience tomorrow morning!

*Update: I went to La Cantera Mall in San Antonio and got a free bottle of J'Adore Perfume! I waited in line for about 5 minutes before the store opened, and had my bottle of J'Adore by 10:05! Other people at the mall reported that stores like Neiman Marcus and Dillard's did not have any lines. People were RUNNING from department store to department store to get their hands on the free goods. It was quite a sight!*