At the recent cosmetics trends show at Filene’s, I learned a few things. Who knew polypeptides were Clinique’s answer to plastic surgery? Not me, and I’m a Clinique girl. I may have been living under a rock for the last month or so because I had NO idea Sarah Jessica Parker had a new perfume out. Of course, it took me about three weeks to realize Gap dropped her like a bad habit in favor of Joss Stone. Why? I don’t know. I love SJP. And I love her new scent, the aptly named Lovely.

I also learned that you could do your own at-home glycolic peel, courtesy of Lancome, for $18 a pop. Not bad when you consider the alternative.

But the thing that stands out most in my mind is that gals in Bangor are WILD about freebies, as the vendors tossing Clarins samples into the audience found. I ended up giving mine to the women sitting behind me, who were just beyond the range of the salesgirls’ pitching arms.

I didn’t need them because, on any given day, my desk looks like a ghetto version of Sephora; my cosmetics counter is littered with press releases and empty water bottles, and hardly anyone here wears Prada.

Allow me to demystify the newsroom for a moment. Companies send news outlets unsolicited, free samples every day. Reporters and editors see everything from Jesus night lights – I wish I were kidding – to lip gloss, and at Christmastime, we’ve received frankincense and myrrh. (Yes, they really exist.) Public relations reps hope we’ll write about their fabulous new products. Sometimes, we do. More often than not, we give them away or donate them to a worthier cause. If they’re really bad and-or useless, they end up in the trash.

But the makeup samples always find a home. In this month’s ShopGirl giveaway, they’ll go home with you. I’ve sampled late summer and early fall’s hottest trends, and I want you to have the chance, as well. Three lucky readers will win a grab bag full of products from N.Y.C., Goldie, Becca, Stila, Sephora and Aloette. Many of the products are valued at more than $30 each.

Before we get to the giveaway, let’s talk trends. I’m not really into cosmetic novelties – I’ve worn the same makeup for more than 10 years – but every now and then, I want something new. I’m a big fan of the smoky-eye look for evening, with charcoal-gray eyeliner – Clinique’s Granite is a favorite – but lately, I’ve been digging deep, olive-green eye shadow, applied so lightly it almost looks neutral. Stila’s adorable, tweed-ensconced Perfectly Sage palette has two enviable green shadows and a peachy blush to boot ($30, www.stilacosmetics.com).

Bronzer is one of my favorite products, and I’m wild about Lancome’s Star Bronzer. You push a button and – Voila! – you have just enough bronzing powder on your brush. The color is good for late summer, when you already have a tan. For something special on a drugstore budget, check out Cover Girl’s bronzers – the luxe Tanfastic Bronzer or the cute, portable CG Bronzer.

I now have only one shoe box full of nail polish, but I’m working my way back to two. Avon’s Rouge Fatale is fall’s most fabulous spiced brownie-red. If you stop into the Avon Store in the Airport Mall, you can get a customized skin-care profile – or a free makeover – while you’re at it.

My makeover for WLBZ-2, in which my Clinique-selling friend Alice made me look less like a ghost and more like a human being for my Friday afternoon TV appearance, was enough to last me a while. But the last visit scared me a little. Alice told me my skin is prone to age spots – Why did I have to slather my body with baby oil every summer? – so I picked up some SPF 15 tinted moisturizer. It’s lighter than foundation but gives nice, sheer coverage. It’s worth a try, so I’m giving away tinted moisturizer from Sephora and Caudalie.

I’m also giving away loads of lip gloss, which is a perfect and inexpensive way to update your look. N.Y.C.’s liquid lipstick, with a built-in brush, is one of my faves, and the $3.99 price tag makes it even better. A little higher-end and equally fab are Goldie’s Mini Lip Glosses ($7 at sephora.com).

Goldie could be my new favorite makeup line. I adore the punk-meets-prep packaging, the gorgeous colors and the vanilla-latte scents of Goldie creations. My favorite are the paint-box-style palettes ($26-$36), which are small enough for a handbag but large enough to hold all the essentials. They’re available at Bath & Body Works stores.

With these fantastic fall finds, it’s tempting to keep them all, but I can’t. It’s almost time to make room on my desk for holiday goodies. What’s next? A do-it-yourself Botox kit? I’m sure it will make a great stocking stuffer.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329, or by fax to 941-9476. Tune in to ShopGirl at 5 p.m. Fridays on WLBZ-2.