The provided source material documents a specific promotional campaign conducted by Allure magazine in August 2015. The campaign involved daily giveaways of beauty, fashion, and lifestyle products to legal residents of the United States. According to the source data, Allure announced a schedule of free items and sweepstakes entries available to readers on weekday evenings in August. The documentation outlines specific products, retail values, and the mechanism for obtaining them, which varied between immediate sign-up giveaways and sweepstakes-style log-on events. Additionally, the source material includes a separate list of other free sample offers available in August 2015, covering categories such as magazines, personal care, food, and household goods.
Allure August 2015 Giveaway Schedule and Mechanics
The primary focus of the source data is the "Allure is giving away amazing beauty and fashion loot" campaign. The documentation specifies that these giveaways occurred every weekday in August. The total inventory of items available during the campaign was reported as 40,057 items.
The mechanics for claiming these items fell into two distinct categories based on the product descriptions provided:
- Immediate Sign-Up Offers: Certain items were available to the "first 500" or "first 100" Allure readers who signed up at the designated time. These items were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until the supply was exhausted.
- Sweepstakes/Log-On Offers: Other items required readers to "log on" for a chance to win. These were sweepstakes with a limited number of prizes available to be won.
Friday, August 15 Schedule
The source data provides a detailed breakdown of offers scheduled for Friday, August 15. The timing of these offers was sequential throughout the day.
12 P.M. (Noon Eastern Time):
- Product: Lacoste cotton silk shirt.
- Retail Value: $165.
- Mechanism: Log on for a chance to win.
1 P.M. (1:00 PM Eastern Time):
- Product: CND Essentials SolarOil Nail & Cuticle Conditioner.
- Retail Value: $11.
- Mechanism: The first 500 Allure readers to sign up will receive one free.
2 P.M. (2:00 PM Eastern Time):
- Product: Givenchy Palette Extravagancia in Harmonie Extravagancia.
- Retail Value: $66.
- Mechanism: Log on for a chance to win one of five palettes.
3 P.M. (3:00 PM Eastern Time):
- Product: Susan Hanover for Tommy Bahama Swarovski-crystal bracelet.
- Retail Value: $250.
- Mechanism: Log on for a chance to win one of five bracelets.
4 P.M. (4:00 PM Eastern Time):
- Product: Joanna Vargas Skincare Daily Serum.
- Retail Value: $85.
- Mechanism: Log on for a chance to win one of 50 serums.
5 P.M. (5:00 PM Eastern Time):
- Product: Mally Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Liner in Shimmering Black.
- Retail Value: $15.
- Mechanism: The first 500 Allure readers to sign up will get one free.
6 P.M. (6:00 PM Eastern Time):
- Product: Kotur snakeskin clutch.
- Retail Value: $350.
- Mechanism: Log on for a chance to win one of three clutches.
7 P.M. (7:00 PM Eastern Time):
- Product: OPI Nail Lacquer in Hot & Spicy.
- Retail Value: $9.50.
- Mechanism: The first 100 Allure readers to sign up will get one free.
8 P.M. (8:00 PM Eastern Time):
- Product: Russie Blanche Salt Caviar Body Polish.
- Retail Value: $125.
- Mechanism: Log on for a chance to win one of five body polishes.
Eligibility and Participation Rules
The source data includes specific terms and conditions regarding eligibility for the Allure giveaways. These rules are consistent across the promotional materials referenced.
- Geographic Eligibility: The giveaways are open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.
- Age Requirement: Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
- Entry Limits: One entry per person or email address is permitted.
- Shipping: Shipping is restricted to addresses within the United States.
- Technical Disclaimers: The promotional materials state that the sponsors are not responsible for technical malfunctions or other errors that may affect the entry or claiming process.
Other Available Free Samples (August 2015)
In addition to the Allure-specific giveaways, the source material lists a collection of other free sample offers and promotions available in August 2015. These offers span various categories including beauty, health, food, and household goods.
Magazine and Media Subscriptions
- US Weekly Magazine: A free subscription was available.
- Toys R Us 2015 Holiday Toy Catalog: A free catalog that included coupons was offered.
Health and Personal Care Samples
- Always Discreet: A free sample pack was available.
- Centrum VitaMints Multivitamins: A free sample was described as a "HOT" offer.
- U by Kotex: A free sample of the new product line was listed as a "HOT" offer.
- Dove or Degree Dry Spray: Free samples were available, though the offer was restricted to select states.
- Healthfull Bread: An opportunity to apply to host a "Healthfull Bread Ultimate Sandwich House Party" was available.
Food and Beverage Offers
- 7-Eleven: A free Butterfinger bar was available on August 29 and August 30.
- Walmart Back to College K-Cup Sample Pack: A free sample pack was listed as a "HOT" offer.
- Lindsay Olives: Four free product coupons were available, restricted to select states.
- McCormick: An opportunity to apply to host a McCormick party was listed.
Promotional Mechanics
The source data also mentions the use of "Text Alerts" as a method for consumers to stay informed about these freebies, suggesting that mobile notifications were a channel for distribution or updates regarding these offers.
Consumer Considerations
Based on the documentation, consumers interested in these types of offers should note the distinction between guaranteed samples and sweepstakes entries. The Allure campaign clearly delineated which items were guaranteed for the first sign-ups (e.g., CND SolarOil, Mally Liner, OPI Nail Lacquer) and which items required winning a lottery (e.g., Lacoste shirt, Givenchy palette, Kotur clutch).
Furthermore, the source data highlights the prevalence of geographic and state-specific restrictions. Several offers, such as the Dove/Degree Dry Spray and Lindsay Olives coupons, were explicitly limited to "Select States." This indicates that availability was not uniform across the United States for all listed promotions.
The timing of the Allure giveaways was strict, occurring at specific hours (12 P.M., 1 P.M., etc., Eastern Time). The limited quantities (500, 100, or as few as 3 or 5 for sweepstakes prizes) suggest that speed was a critical factor for consumers hoping to secure these items.
Conclusion
The provided source material offers a snapshot of the free sample and promotional landscape in August 2015, specifically highlighting a structured daily giveaway campaign by Allure magazine. The campaign offered high-value beauty and fashion items through a combination of immediate sign-up releases and sweepstakes drawings. Participation was strictly limited to U.S. residents aged 18 and older. Alongside the Allure event, the documentation lists a variety of other free sample opportunities ranging from magazine subscriptions to food and personal care products, many of which carried their own geographic or time-based restrictions.