Brightest Young Things

To all those who say the system sucks and doesn't work to protect the consumer, I give you this: numerous high-end retailers will be giving away $175 million worth of free cosmetics beginning tomorrow (1/20) as part of a class-action lawsuit settlement. The companies doling out the goodies were found guilty of price-fixing and enough consumers complained that something actually happened and we all stand to benefit. The products will be first-come first-serve through Jan. 27, but you damn well better believe they will run out fast.

The products, though full sized, are limited but before you complain remember: they're free. They say these products are intended for people who were scammed between 1994 and 2003, but they are not requiring any kind of proof that you were scammed during that time period. If you show up and say you were scammed, they'll give you one free product though I have heard that some stores are opting to dump everything onto tables and letting people fend for themselves.

• Boucheron (USA) Ltd.: Femme Eau de Toilette (1 ounce/30 ml)
• Chanel, Inc.: Coco Mademoiselle body lotion (3.4 fluid oz)
• Christian Dior Perfumes, Inc.: J’Adore Eau de Parfum (15 ml)
• Clarins U.S.A., Inc. (customers will have a choice of ONE of two products, while supplies last): Clarins Energizing Morning Cream (30 ml) OR Clarins Beauty Flash Bomb (30 ml)
• Conopco, Inc. (distributed by Coty, Inc. on behalf of Conopco, Inc.) (customers will have a choice of ONE of three products, while supplies last): Calvin Klein Euphoria Bath and Shower Crème (6.7 oz) OR Vera Wang Princess Body Polish (5 oz) OR Lovely Sarah Jessica Parker Shower Gel (6.7 oz)
• The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (customers will have a choice of ONE of two products, while supplies last): Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair (15 ml/0.5 oz) OR Clinique Moisture Surge (30 ml/1 oz)
• Guerlain, Inc.: My Insolence Eau de Toilette (15 ml)
• L’Oréal USA, Inc. (formerly known as Cosmair, Inc.) (customers will have a choice of ONE of eight products, while supplies last): Lancôme UV Expert 20 OR Lancôme Cils Design Pro Mascara OR Lancôme Fatale Mascara OR Lancôme Courbe Virtuose Mascara OR Lancôme Primordial Skin Defense OR Ralph Lauren Romance Shower Gel (6.7 oz.) OR Giorgio Armani ACM Shower Gel (6.7 oz) OR Lancôme Hypnôse Shower Gel
• Parfums Givenchy, Inc.: Very Irresistible Givenchy Eau de Toilette (15 ml)

You can find these products distributed by the following stores: Bergdorf Goodman, Bergner’s, Bloomingdale’s, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Dillard’s, Gottschalks, Herberger’s, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Parisian, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Younkers. I don't know what half these stores are, but you can bet that I'll be at Macy's first thing tomorrow morning. Sure, I could get up at the crack of dawn to make my way to the massively overcrowded National Mall, but I'm going to go to the Capitalist Mall instead and take advantage of everyone participating in democracy. More Coco Mademoiselle for me!

Previously in Misc/Awesome:

• 4/19: HAPPY National High Five Day!
• 4/17: Hangin' Tough with The D.C. Rollergirls
• 2/24: BYT Archives: Geek It Out
• 12/28: Terrible Boyfriend/ Girlfriend Generator.
• 12/1: The John Waters Advent Calendar-it starts today
• 11/28: It Chooses You: All I Want for Christmas is Everything from Miranda July's Pop-Up Shop
• 11/3: Things I'd Move to Minnesota For
• 9/6: PHOTOS: Maloof $$ Money Cup
• 9/2: PHOTOS: Chantilly Model Train Show
• 9/1: Libby's List: 5 Things I Want Right Now...