A sample review is more useful when you know which purchasing decisions it should resolve. Start with the requested product configuration, then compare the sample against it. Keep visible product observations separate from claims that require another kind of evidence.
For a professional range, compare the seven lash extension families before choosing samples. Keep the selected family and product code with your inspection notes so the sample and quotation refer to the same product.
If you are comparing DIY lash cluster samples, keep the section layout and count per package with the reference. Review professional extensions and DIY clusters against their own specifications rather than applying one checklist of dimensions to both.
Identify the product and the purpose of the sample
Label the sample with the product reference and supplied specification. Record whether it is an existing product sample or a sample made for the proposed order. Neither description proves that the final product is currently in stock.
List the decisions the sample must resolve: style, tray mix, visible appearance or packaging fit. An existing product sample cannot approve new artwork or a configuration that it does not contain.
Compare the sample with the requested configuration
Compare the identified product style, requested lengths, curl and tray arrangement with the accompanying specification. For a mixed tray, check the section labels and their positions so the intended mix is easy to follow.
Use comparable photographs when discussing differences. A side view helps communicate a curl question, while an overall tray photograph helps show row positions or a mixed layout. Identify the exact part of the sample that your question concerns.
Inspect the lash arrangement and packaging
Look at the lash arrangement, the position of the card or tray and the overall presentation inside the box. Note any area that looks different from the agreed reference and photograph it clearly for discussion.
Use photographs to check lash arrangement and presentation. If your market requires testing or certification, ask for the relevant reports separately; product photographs cannot establish those results.
Check the packaging against the approved version
For a branded sample, compare the brand spelling, product wording, artwork placement and included packaging items with the approved design. Note which version you reviewed, particularly if several artwork revisions have been discussed.
Check the way the selected product is presented in its box. If you need a different insert, labeling arrangement or package configuration, make that request explicit before approving the final order.
List the accepted details and requested changes
Summarize the sample review in a short record. Identify what is accepted, what needs adjustment and what remains unanswered. Attach the relevant photographs instead of describing the entire sample as simply good or bad.
Keep the accepted reference with the confirmed order specification. If the sample and the final order differ, record those differences clearly so the sample approval is not mistaken for approval of an unreviewed configuration.
- Sample name and the specification reviewed.
- Accepted product and packaging details.
- Requested changes, with photographs where useful.
- Open questions to resolve before ordering.
Copy this checklist: sample inspection notes
Complete this record for each sample you review. It is a purchasing record for the discussion, not a laboratory test report.
- Sample reference and review date: [product code, label and date].
- Specification and artwork version compared: [reference or file names].
- Visible details accepted: [specific product or packaging observations].
- Changes requested: [each change with a labeled photograph where useful].
- Questions still open: [information needed before an order decision].
- Decision and scope: [accepted details, changes requested, or review still open].
| Question | Useful record | What it cannot establish |
|---|---|---|
| Does the visible product match the reference? | Labeled front, side and full-tray photos under comparable conditions | Material composition, wear performance or certification |
| Does the sample match the requested configuration? | Product identifier, supplier specification, row layout and recorded differences | Approval of other styles, lengths or later revisions |
| Are the packaging and documents suitable for this order? | Artwork version, physical fit notes and documents matching the actual product and destination | A photograph alone cannot establish testing or market compliance |
Carry only the accepted details into your wholesale order brief. For unresolved product or packaging questions, request the missing evidence before treating the sample as the final order reference.
Your next step
Agree on the questions a sample needs to answer, compare it with the specified order and return a precise review. This creates a useful reference for the next production discussion.
