Teachers team up for direct sales business

BeautiControl Skin Care Products

By KEITH ROYSDON, The Star Press

For three Muncie teachers, teamwork in the classroom has translated into teamwork in business. Kim Williams, Sara Fauquher and Jennifer Kile teach sixth grade at Wilson Middle School. The three make up a teaching team -- Kile teaches math, Fauquher teaches science and Williams teaches English.

Outside school hours, the three are independent direct sales people. Each sells a different product, but they also team up for in-home parties to reach potential customers. "It's an opportunity to have fun, fellowship with women and earn a little extra money on the side," Kile said. Kile sells Premier Designs jewelry, Fauquher sells BeautiControl home spa products and Williams sells Pampered Chef cookware.

Williams laughed when asked why she sells kitchenware. "Rachael Ray is my idol," she said, referring to the TV personality. "I like to cook, and I like to cook for others." Fauquher said at-home spa products appealed to her because "I like to see people relax and get rid of their stress. Lord knows we all have it."

Billion-dollar industry
The direct sales industry -- long symbolized by door-to-door cosmetics and vacuum cleaner sales people -- has changed in recent years. The Direct Selling Association reported sales of more than $32 billion in 2006. The industry group says as many as 15 million people work in direct sales. Although men make up 25 percent of the independent sales workforce, it is still an industry dominated by women. The gender of the sales force coincides in many ways with the products sold. Cosmetics, jewelry and skin care make up nearly 34 percent of the products sold by direct sales people, according to the DSA. Home products, like cookware, make up 26 percent. Weight loss products and vitamins account for another 20 percent. For many years, Longaberger baskets were among the top products for direct sales people. The upscale baskets -- like many direct sales products -- are sold in home-based parties that mix business and fun for sales people and potential customers.

Party teamwork
While Williams and Fauquher have been conducting in-home sales parties for a while, Kile has only recently joined the mix. The three have a game plan for their parties. Williams whips up some dishes using Pampered Chef cookware and utensils. While food is cooking, the group moves to the living room, where Fauquher demonstrates hand massages and neck wraps from BeautiControl. Kile then showcases Premier Designs jewelry offerings. "Then they can eat and fellowship and order products if they like," Fauquher said. "If someone wants to book just one of us, they can. But this is a way for us to 'team teach.' We're used to doing this in school and thought in our side business this is what we would be most comfortable doing."

Busy in breaks
While the school year can be busy for teachers, the three said they wanted something to keep them busy after hours and during breaks. "Almost every teacher I know does something else in the summer," Fauquher said. "I think most teachers have other jobs. It keeps them busy year-round." "Maybe my decision will change down the road, but right now I want to stick with teaching and doing this on the side," Williams said. Direct sales works for teachers, Kile said. "There's freedom to do things on your own schedule. I love teaching. I didn't want to quit teaching."

Eyebrows, eyelids and lips top list for women seeking permanent makeup

By Christine Morente
Contra Costa Times
Photos by Mathew Sumner/San Mateo County Times


MILLBRAE, Calif. -- No one said looking good is supposed to be painless. That maxim rang especially true as Julie Wallace leaned over to tattoo the outline of Nancy Wallace's lips with ink the color of Jamaican Rum. Permanent-cosmetics technician Julie Wallace injects ink into the lip of her mother, Nancy Wallace, at A Perfect Line Academy of Permanent Cosmetics in Millbrae, Calif.

Nancy Wallace waits for the anesthesia to take effect before an injection of permanent makeup ink on her lip. The tattooing process takes roughly two hours. For the most part, it was quiet inside A Perfect Line Academy of Permanent Cosmetics, except for the soft hum of Wallace's permanent makeup pen.

Wallace, 29, used one gloved hand to steady the lip, while the other lowered the tool's needle to blend the color in. Then she pulled back. "You've got color!" Wallace said to the patient -- who happened to be her mother. Cathy Klemz peered in for a closer look.

"It doesn't look clowny at all," said Klemz, a permanent-makeup technician and trainer. "It looks nice and very natural." The process of getting one's lips outlined typically takes as long as two hours and plenty of topical cream to numb the pain. On a recent morning, the younger Wallace went in for a refresher course, while in the next room, Deborah Ann (who goes by just her first name) practiced different types of brows on a pig's ear.

Both Wallace and Deborah Ann studied under Klemz, who has practiced micro-pigmentation, or cosmetic tattooing, for the last 15 years. Usually, women go to her to get their eyebrows, eyelids, and lips enhanced. Klemz also offers reconstructive areola work for breast cancer-patients and puts on facial beauty marks for younger women.

The demand for permanent cosmetics has risen over the last 12 years. Typical clients are older women who want to look more "refreshed," Deborah Ann said. The brow tends to fade as people age, leading some older women to want to have their brows filled in. Women also like the convenience that permanent makeup brings, allowing them to use less time to get ready in the morning.

The tattoo will fade over time and needs to get touched up every couple of years, because the ink doesn't go deep into the skin. For clients, procedures range from $400 to $700. At the academy, Klemz's students first practice on mannequin heads and pig ears before moving on to their models. For certification, Klemz requires 35 hours of home study and 50 hours in the office.Julie Wallace has been certified since September. She understands her clients' pain. She's had her eyelids done and experienced the discomfort of the healing process. But she still wants to get her lips done.

Wallace admitted to being nervous the first time she worked on a model."Once I started, I saw how it went in the skin and the outcome of a couple of dots," she said. "It kind of settled (me). It was like starting to ride a bike."In the end, Nancy Wallace approved of her daughter's work. By Friday, her lips were no longer swollen."They're pretty normal and a little tender," Wallace said. "I'm really happy with my lips."

BeautiControl Press Release

BeautiControl owned by Tupperware Brands

from Hoover's
PR Newswire

Tupperware Brands Reports Fourth-Quarter Sales Up 19% GAAP Diluted E.P.S. up 35% Tupperware Segments' Sales Grow 18% and Beauty Segments' Sales Grow 19%; Fourth Quarter Active Representatives Increase 8%; Fourth Quarter GAAP Earnings of $0.88 per Diluted Share

ORLANDO, Fla.-- Tupperware Brands Corporation (NYSE: TUP) today reported that fourth-quarter 2007 sales grew 19% year over year (11% in local currency) to $577 million with strong growth in all 5 segments ranging from 6% to 18% in local currency. Rick Goings Chairman and CEO of Tupperware Brands commented, "We are encouraged with the progress we made in the fourth quarter and the full year in further refining and implementing our strategies, which are working and delivering the positive results we expected to support long term growth. This came through in the fourth quarter with our high-teen year-over-year sales increase and our 35% increase in GAAP diluted earnings per share. Our sales and profit were both well ahead of our October outlook."

"As we look ahead to 2008, we're planning to capitalize on our year end sales force size advantage of 15% to further grow our businesses, and expect to be in our long-term outlook range for local currency sales growth of 5 to 7% per year. This includes high single, to low double-digit, growth from the 40% to 45% of our businesses that operate in emerging markets and, on average, a low single digit growth rate from the remainder of our businesses that operate in established markets."

"We expect to grow net income even more with higher profit from the segments and lower interest expense, as we benefit from the credit agreement we closed at the end of the third quarter, partially offset by a higher but still very favorable income tax rate in the 23% range." "Included in our 2008 outlook is continued investment to implement our strategies as we further develop our branded portfolio of direct selling companies, working to continue to innovate with our demonstrable product lines, our contemporized selling situations and the right sales force compensation plan in each market."

Excluding certain adjustment items, fourth-quarter earnings per share rose to 93 cents from 74 cents in 2006, or 26%. Stronger foreign currencies had a 10 cent positive impact on the year-over-year comparison. Profit from the segments rose 29%, interest expense was lower by over $3 million, reflecting lower borrowings along with a benefit from the new credit agreement entered into in September, and unallocated expenses rose by $5 million, largely reflecting higher expenses associated with management incentive programs. The quarter's effective tax rate rose to 17% this year from 10% last year (see detail in Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation Schedule).

As of the end of the fourth quarter net debt was down to $593 million, a reduction of $88 million from $681 million at the end of 2006. Net cash provided by operating activities, net of investing activities, for the full year was $152 million, ahead of October guidance of $100 to $110 million. Tupperware Brands will conduct a conference call tomorrow, Wednesday, January 30, at 10:00 am Eastern time. The conference call will be webcast and archived, along with a copy of this news release on www.tupperwarebrands.com.

Fourth Quarter Segment Highlights*

Tupperware Segments
In Europe, fourth quarter sales rose by 19% (6% in local currency) over the prior year. The positive sales force trends continued in the emerging markets leading to 22% growth in local currency coming most notably in Russia, Turkey and South Africa. Established markets grew 1% in local currency with Germany achieving a 3% sales increase, following double-digit declines in each of the first three quarters. The total sales force size advantage for the whole segment at the end of the year was 21%. The average active sales force increased 8%. Segment profit increased 33% (18% in local currency) reflecting a greater than 2 point higher return on sales from improved value chains in several of the markets in Western Europe and higher manufacturing volume.

Asia Pacific achieved a 24% (16% in local currency) sales increase with emerging markets up 30% in local currency and established markets up 9% led by Australia. The number of active sellers was up 11% led by Indonesia, Australia and Korea. Operating profit increased 48% (36% in local currency) and reflected a 3.7 pp improvement in return on sales. This primarily reflected a higher share of sales from Australia, with its high return on sales, and more efficient expense management by Tupperware Japan, as well as 0.8 pp from lower purchase accounting amortization.

In Tupperware North America, 12% (11% in local currency) higher sales, reflected increases in all three markets, the United States, Canada and Mexico. Although there was a drag in the last 2 and 1/2 weeks of December in light of the warehouse fire in the main U.S. warehouse, Tupperware United States and Canada still achieved a 12% local currency sales increase in the quarter. The total sales force size for the whole segment was down at the end of the year, reflecting a decrease in Mexico as the United States had a higher sales force count. Active sellers in the segment were down slightly. There was a 4.5 pp improvement in return on sales that brought the segment's profit up over 100%, mainly reflecting an improved cost structure in the United States.

Beauty Segments
In the Beauty North America segment, the 13% (12% in local currency) sales increase reflected double-digit increases by both units, Fuller Mexico and BeautiControl North America. Both units also had double-digit total sales force size advantages as of the end of the year, with the segment up 13%. The active sales force was up 10%. Segment profit was up 9% (8% in local currency), reflecting a lower return on sales, principally from gross margin investment at BeautiControl to sell through inventories and higher distribution costs that were about offset by lower purchase accounting amortization.

The Beauty Other segment achieved a 30% (18% in local currency) sales increase, reflecting higher sales forces and sales throughout Central and South America, most notably in Venezuela and Brazil. Fuller Philippines also had a double digit sales increase. The Nutrimetics units were down as a group, with the largest Nutrimetics market, Australia, down just slightly, reflecting an improved trend from earlier in the year. The total sales force in the segment was up 12% and the active sales force was up 8% in the quarter. There was a loss of $0.1 million that included $1.2 million of purchase accounting amortization. Excluding purchase accounting amortization from both years, profit increased reflecting improved results in the Philippines, Venezuela and Brazil.

Full-Year Results
For full-year 2007, total company sales grew 14% (9% in local currency), to a record $2.0 billion versus $1.7 billion in 2006. The Tupperware brand segments grew by 14% (8% in local currency) and the Beauty brand segments by 12% (10% in local currency). The businesses operating in emerging markets had sales growth of 21% (18% in local currency) and the remaining businesses that operate in established markets had growth of 8% (2% in local currency). Active sellers grew 5% for the year. Profit from the operating segments rose 33% (26% in local currency), 9 points of which was from lower purchase accounting amortization. Diluted earnings per share was $1.87, up 21% (8% in local currency). Excluding certain adjustment items, full year 2007 diluted earnings per share was $2.25, up 26% (14% in local currency).

2008 Outlook
Full year 2008 sales are expected to increase 8 to 10% (5 to 7% in local currency) and GAAP diluted earnings per share is expected to be $2.37 to $2.47, including a 10 to 12 cent benefit versus 2007 from stronger foreign currencies. After adjustments full-year diluted earnings per share is expected to be $2.50 to $2.60 up 6% to 10% in local currency (see detail in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures Outlook Reconciliation schedule).

Sales in local currency in the Tupperware brand segments are expected to increase in the mid-single-digit range and in the Beauty brand segments are expected to increase in the high-single-digit range. Excluding certain adjustment items, profit in the segments is expected to grow in line, to slightly above the rate of sales, except in Beauty Other where there was a loss of $3 million in 2007 and a small profit is expected in 2008.

Unallocated corporate costs in 2008 are expected to be about even with 2007's $44 million; interest expense is expected to be $33 to $34 million, versus $49 million in 2007, which included $10 million of expense associated with implementing the new credit agreement; and the income tax rate is expected to be about 23%, compared with 17% in 2007 on a GAAP basis and 18% excluding certain items.

First Quarter 2008 Outlook
First quarter sales are expected to increase 13 to 15% (5 to 7% in local currency) and diluted earnings per share is expected to be 50 to 55 cents versus 32 cents last year. Excluding certain adjustment items diluted earnings per share is expected to be 44 to 49 cents versus 36 cents last year. This includes a 5 to 7 cents benefit versus 2006 from stronger foreign currencies and a lower effective tax rate.

Rick Goings, Chairman and CEO of Tupperware Brands commented, "Many analysts and investors are concerned about the weakness of the U.S. dollar and the U.S. economy. Upwards of 84% of our sales and even more of our profit come from international markets. This means that our profit rises on dollar weakness, and while we could see some impact from lower consumer spending in the United States, the impact would be less than for many other companies given the size of our businesses here. To date we have not seen issues in our Tupperware United States or BeautiControl businesses related to the consumer spending environment."

Tupperware Brands Corporation is a portfolio of global direct selling companies, selling premium innovative products across multiple brands and categories through an independent sales force of 2.1 million. Product brands and categories include design-centric preparation, storage and serving solutions for the kitchen and home through the Tupperware brand and beauty and personal care products for consumers through the Avroy Shlain, BeautiControl, Fuller, NaturCare, Nutrimetics, Nuvo and Swissgarde brands.

The Company's stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: TUP). Statements contained in this release, which are not historical fact and use predictive words such as "outlook" or "target" are forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties which include recruiting and activity of the Company's independent sales forces, the success of new product introductions and promotional programs, the ability to obtain all government approvals on land sales, the success of buyers in attracting tenants for commercial developments, the effects of economic and political conditions generally and foreign exchange risk in particular and other risks detailed in the Company's most recent periodic report as filed in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company does not intend to regularly update forward-looking information.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company has utilized non-GAAP financial measures in this release, which are provided to assist readers' understanding of the Company's results of operations. The adjustment items materially impact the comparability of the Company's results of operations. The adjusted information is intended to be more indicative of Tupperware Brands' primary operations, and to assist readers in evaluating performance and analyzing trends across periods.

The non-GAAP financial measures exclude gains from the sale of property, plant and equipment and insurance recoveries; re-engineering costs; purchase accounting intangible asset amortization; purchase accounting intangible asset and goodwill impairment costs; and costs associated with terminating the Company's previous credit agreement. While the Company is engaged in a multi- year program to sell land adjacent to its Orlando, Florida headquarters, and also disposes of other excess land and facilities periodically, these activities are not part of the Company's primary business operation. Additionally, gains recognized in any given period are not indicative of gains which may be recognized in any particular future period. For this reason, these gains are excluded as indicated. Further, the Company excludes significant charges related to casualty losses caused by significant weather events, fires or similar circumstances. It also excludes any related gains resulting from the settlement of associated insurance claims. While these types of events can and do recur periodically, they are excluded from indicated financial information due to their distinction from ongoing business operations, inherent volatility and impact on the comparability of earnings across quarters. Also, the Company periodically records exit costs as defined under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" and other amounts related to rationalizing manufacturing and other re-engineering activities, and believes these amounts are similarly volatile and impact the comparability of earnings across quarters. Therefore, they are also excluded from indicated financial information to provide what the Company believes represents a more useful measure for analysis and predictive purposes.

The Company has also elected to present financial measures excluding the impact of amortizing the purchase accounting write-up of the carrying value of depreciable assets and certain definite-lived intangible assets, primarily the value of independent sales forces, recorded in connection with the Company's December 2005 acquisition of the direct selling businesses of Sara Lee Corporation. The amortization expense related to these assets will continue for several years; however, based on the Company's current estimates, this amortization will decline significantly as the years progress. Similarly in connection with its annual evaluation of the carrying value of acquired intangible assets and goodwill, the Company has recognized an impairment charge in 2007. The Company believes that both of these types of non-cash charges will not be representative in any single year of amounts recorded in prior years or expected to be recorded in future years. Therefore, they are excluded from indicated financial information to also provide a more useful measure for analysis and predictive purposes.

Finally, in 2007, the Company entered into a new credit agreement, which triggered the non-cash write off of previously deferred debt costs and costs associated with the settlement of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps that were hedging the borrowings under the previous agreement. These costs are also not expected to be incurred in most reporting periods and for comparison purposes have also been excluded from the indicated financial information.

BeautiControl Company Description

BeautiControl, Inc. Carrollton, TX, United States

from Hoover's

BeautiControl has a firm grip on the business of aesthetics and enjoys calling Texas home, alongside direct-selling nemesis Mary Kay. A division of household products maker Tupperware Brands Corporation, BeautiControl sells its beauty care products to its independent sales consultants, who in turn sell to consumers. Consultants provide computer-assisted, head-to-toe makeup and fashion advice, usually through in-home demos. Its products include skin and nail care, fragrances, cosmetics, toiletries, nutritional and weight-management food supplements, and in-home spa retreats. Tupperware Brands purchased BeautiControl in 2000. Tupperware executive David Halversen took control of BeautiControl in 2005.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BRIEF: Home Interiors chief to retire

from Dallas Morning News, The (KRT)

Feb. 15, 2008 --Home Interiors & Gifts Inc. chief executive and president Richard W. "Dick" Heath said Thursday that he is retiring two years after he agreed to lead the Carrollton-based direct selling company through a restructuring. Heather Chastain, senior vice president of sales support, has been promoted to president, the company said. Ms. Chastain previously was vice president of operations at BeautiControl Inc., a Dallas-based company co-founded by Mr. Heath.

Top BeautiControl Competitors are Avon, Estée Lauder, and Mary Kay.

BeautiControl Convention honors businesswoman

from Airwolf lMT Online

BeautiControl Independent Consultant, Dana Foster of Laredo was recently honored as a Top Director and Top Recruiter as BeautiControl’s National Celebration Convention at the new Glaylord Texas Resort in Dallas. In recognition of her success, Dana Foster earned a spa vacation in Hawaii and two diamond rings and on-stage recognition.

The convention drew more than 4,000 independent consultants from the U.S.,Puerto Rico and Canada, setting an all timehigh record attendance. Independent consultantsjoined in recognition and business building workshops, attended a Fall Fashion Show and were among the first to see BeautiControl’s new products for fall.BeautiControl is rapidly becoming the company bringing the spa experience homethrough the BeautiControl Spa ESCAPE.Offered by participating BeautiControl Independent Consultants, the soothing onehourSpa ESCAPE features complimentary spa treatments to relax, renew and rejuvenate guests in the comfort of their homes.Guests can sample the latest spa and skincare products, and enjoy a tension-relievingheated neck wrap, Microderm Abrasion demonstration, revitalizing lip and eye treatmentsand tips on how to re-create an affordable at-home spa experience.

At the convention, BeautiControl debutedits new products for fall, including Platinum Regeneration Line Reversal Wrinkle Crème.Line Reversal works within 10 minutes toeffectively reduce the appearance of linesand wrinkles for up to 24 hours after each application.

“BeautiControl is the best opportunity forpeople today,” says Dana Foster “With BeautiControl, I enjoy more fun, freedomand flexibility in my life. I can set my ownhours, earn extra income while having fun holding Spa ESCAPES, be recognized and rewarded like never before, and go as far as my dreams take me.” BeautiControl provides professional trainingand a proven success formula to helppeople build their home-based businesses,become leaders and earn fabulous rewards.Consultants can earn new Ford Mustangs, dream vacations, diamonds and generouscash rewards.Headquartered in a Dallas suburb,BeautiControl, Inc., a subsidiary ofTupperware Corporation, is an internationalparty-plan direct-sales company with morethan 70,000 Independent Consultants throughout the United States, Puerto Ricoand Canada who offer The Total Escapeincluding spa, skin care and image productsand services, as well as an earning opportunityto build successful businesses andlive balanced, rewarding lifestyles. BeautiControl is a member of the Cosmetic,Toiletry and Fragrance Association.

BeautiControl on Wiki - About Us!

BeautiControl, Inc. - ESCAPE to the Good Life (TM)

BeautiControl President Kristi Hubbard has been named one of the “Top 25 Most Influential Female Executives in the North Dallas Business Corridor”, by Addison Magazine in Dallas. Ms. Hubbard was chosen for this distinguished honor for her commitment to empowering millions of women through BeautiControl’s spa-quality products and opportunity, and for leading BeautiControl to record growth!

Photos of all 25 honorees were posted on the magazine’s Web site where the public can vote for their favorite candidate. The winner will be honored with the prestigious Enterprising Woman Award and featured in the Fall 2006 issue of Addison Magazine, published this August.

Administrative:
Orlando Florida
United States 32837
+1.4078265050

Registrant:
BeautiControl, Inc.
Carrollton Texas
United States 75006

Beauty Blogs Come of Age: Swag, Please!

MASCARA MADE ME DO IT
Tia Williams blogs Shake Your Beauty.

By KAYLEEN SCHAEFER

TWO years ago, when beauty bloggers called makeup companies to request free samples, many calls went unreturned. “Bloggers’ inquiries for products started out as an annoyance,” said Alison Brod, whose namesake public relations firm represents the Laura Mercier and philosophy brands. “It was a cost for our clients. It didn’t seem fair that anyone could say whatever they wanted about a product and have an audience.”

But in the last year or so, as more women turn to blogs for advice on bronzers or facial scrubs, and magazines like Allure and Glamour have started their own beauty blogs, the cosmetics industry has stopped seeing bloggers as bottom feeders. “It would be foolish to ignore them,” said Ms. Brod, who recently hired an employee whose job is to get bloggers to write about clients. The same bloggers who once begged for samples are now being sent the latest lip glosses and perfumes, all the free makeup they want and, in some cases, what many beauty editors commonly refer to as swag — luxurious presents to keep them happy, like designer purses or all-expenses-paid trips to Paris.

For years, beauty editors at many magazines took perks, and some still do. Others must follow ethics policies, corporate limits on how expensive a gift an employee can accept. (The cap varies from $50 to $500.) Nadine Haobsh, a beauty editor turned blogger, said, “Christmas this year at my apartment, giftwise, was reminiscent of the old days.” Cosmetics companies sent her purses, overnight bags, fashion books, gift cards and perfume for mentioning their brands on her blog, Jolie in NYC. In 2005, Seventeen offered Ms. Haobsh the post of beauty editor, then rescinded it after finding out about her blog, and how she bragged about accepting lavish gifts. Now that she blogs full time, she receives from 20 to 50 products every week. And recently, the chief executive of a beauty firm in San Francisco called to invite her to lunch in her office overlooking the city.

“She wanted to meet me in person because her office was buzzing about my support for her brand on my blog,” said Ms. Haobsh, who recently agreed to promote an anti-aging skin care line called In An Instant in an infomercial. In the last six months, beauty companies have also begun to plan trips and events specifically for bloggers and online editors. Chanel flew 15 of them from all over the world to Paris for a meeting with its master perfumer, Jacques Polge, and a tour of Coco Chanel’s apartment at 31, rue Cambon.

Matrix, a hair care brand, held a gathering at the Royalton Hotel in New York for about 50 bloggers, sending them home with as many shampoos and styling gels as they could carry. And Space NK, a beauty apothecary, had a party in New York, treating the 40 attendees to $50 gift cards. There is no reliable way to count the number of beauty blogs, said Julie Fredrickson, a founder of Coutorture, a network of 240 beauty and fashion blogs and Web sites; she estimated there are thousands.

Before choosing which blogs to target, companies consider whether a Web site has a fresh look and frequent postings as well as comments from engaged readers. Misspellings are considered a blemish. Generally, beauty companies are not stingy with the $200 face creams they distribute. Ms. Brod said her firm sends products to about 50 bloggers. Kerry Diamond, Lancôme's vice president for public relations and communications, said they work with “dozens and dozens.”

The bloggers may sound as if they’re staging sit-ins at Sephora while waiting for the next eye shadow palate from NARS, but they are likely to be at home anticipating the latest U.P.S. delivery from a MAC publicist. “Most of the bloggers call themselves beauty addicts, and maybe they were, but that girl quickly realizes that this is about notoriety and freebies,” Ms. Fredrickson said. “Maybe before people started sending out products, it wasn’t, but that’s not something we should romanticize anymore.”

There is a danger that, as more bloggers are treated to five-course lunches by Prescriptives, the unbiased product reviews they once weren’t afraid to publish could disappear. Already, “people get really scared,” said Ms. Fredrickson. “I get e-mails all of the time from bloggers saying: ‘I tested this product and I don’t like it. What do I do?’ ” Some bloggers refuse to bite the hand that gives them perfume. “If I don’t like a product, I try to approach it sensitively since I don’t want to defame a company’s good name or hurt their business by slandering their product,” said Kristen Kelly, whose blog, BeautyAddict, gets 3,500 unique visitors daily.

Others simply censor themselves if they find that a face cream makes them break out. “If I hate it, I won’t write about it,” said Tia Williams, who writes a blog called Shake Your Beauty, which has 2,500 visitors each day. Air-bombing the sites with samples can result in similar-sounding posts that smack of promotion. “In the last couple of weeks we all covered Prevage Anti-Aging Night Cream by Elizabeth Arden and Allergan,” Ms. Kelly said. “It’s pretty clear that the samples were sent out by the company.” Ms. Kelly, who is a marketing manager for a consulting firm and keeps her site as a hobby, was overjoyed in 2006 when she first received free samples. Since then she has met with representatives from Estée Lauder, L’Oréal and Lancôme. After attending a Lancôme party in New York, where she had her eyes lined in blue by a makeup artist, she posted a post-makeover picture of herself hoisting a flute of Champagne.

Like most beauty bloggers, Ms. Kelly said she does not identify a product she reviews as a freebie, and does not have a policy about accepting swag from publicists. Still, she said she tries hard not to lose the relatable tone that made women turn to her for advice. “I don’t want them to perceive me as someone who is better,” she said. “I would never want to do one of those posts where people write ‘I got this huge goody bag and I’m dancing around my house and so happy about it.’ ”

Some bloggers aren’t as humble. After Victoria’s Secret paid for Ms. Williams to fly from New York to Los Angeles with a planeload of other bloggers and online editors for what was billed as a “Supermodel P.J. Party,” she posted a breathless account. Ms. Williams used to be the beauty director of Teen People, which forbid employees to accept gifts worth more than $500. But as a blogger, she was not obligated to decline the free silk pajamas or her stay (paid for by Victoria’s Secret) at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

Marjorie Asturias-Lochlaer, who reads four beauty blogs daily, including Jolie in NYC, didn’t realize until about a month ago that many bloggers don’t buy the majority of the makeup they test. Ms. Asturias-Lochlaer, 35, of Grand Junction, Colo., learned how widespread the practice was when a Lancôme publicist commented on her site, My Inner French Girl, “We are in LOVE with your blog!”

Ms. Asturias-Lochlaer’s blog isn’t even about makeup, but, according to the representative, it appealed to Lancôme because of its French-girl theme. Ms. Asturias-Lochlaer ended up accepting about $500 worth of Lancôme goods but disclosed this windfall to readers. “The last thing I want to is destroy their trust by transferring my loyalty to a corporate entity,” she said. “I’m not a beauty whore.” Freebies are inspiring — you guessed it — more women to start blogs. After reading about Kristen Kelly’s glamorous evening at that Lancôme party, Christina Yang Hull, 27, a parenting-products publicist in Norwalk, Conn., started Bonbons in the Bath, partly to get makeup samples. “It seemed neat that Kristen was going to these things and getting her makeup done and being part of this world even though she didn’t work at a magazine,” she said. “She wrote a blog.”