I have to admit, when my friend sent me an e-mail with a link to CosmeticsSettlement.com, promising free make-up beginning on Tuesday, January 20, I was very skeptical. This nondescript website promises the release of $175 million worth of free cosmetics this week because of a lawsuit settlement. But after some research, I found out that it isn’t a scam. Beginning Tuesday, January 20 a large list of department stores around the country will be handing out free products. It’s a first-come-first-serve situation so the competition could be fierce. These are the stores participating:

* 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

* Younkers

How do you know if you are eligible? The website states, you are a member of the class if you are currently a resident of the United States who purchased Department Store Cosmetics in the United States during the class period, which products were made, distributed and/or sold by the Manufacturer Defendants or Retailer Defendants listed below. You are not a member of the class, even though you bought the covered products during the relevant time period, if you fall into one or more of the following categories: all employees, officers, directors or agents (including attorneys) of any defendant, as well as any judge, justice or judicial officer presiding over this matter, and each such person’s immediate family.

Still skeptical? Check out these recent news articles from the Chicago Tribune, ABC Action News and Associated Content.