50+ Brands That Send PR to Small Influencers (Even with Under 10K)

Since the first unboxing video hit YouTube in 2006, who hasn’t felt that spark of excitement or twinge of envy watching someone else peel back the packaging on the latest, greatest thing? Fast forward to 2023: YouTube reported over 25 billion views for videos with “unboxing” in the title worldwide from January through November alone. Today, unboxings, haul videos, and product reveals have evolved far beyond an internet trend—they’re a full-fledged art form for savvy creators: part storytelling, part strategy, and all about authentic connection.

That’s why smart brands are seeking out smaller influencers. Rather than chasing follower counts, they’re looking for influencers with real fans who can be authentic advocates, sharing their products with genuine enthusiasm. Even with under 10,000 followers, if your content naturally aligns with a brand’s ethos, you’re already halfway to landing on their PR list and receiving exclusive merchandise, early access, and other perks. 

What is a PR list, exactly? Short for “public relations,” PR is how companies build buzz and maintain a positive public image. A PR list is a curated group of creators, media outlets, and tastemakers that a brand contacts directly about new product launches, events, or announcements. 

This PR outreach often includes gifted merchandise or samples, with no strings attached (meaning there’s no contractual obligation to post, though brands may include suggested talking points or content ideas). When your coverage stands out, it can catch the brand's eye, spark deeper conversations, and lead to long-term brand partnerships. 

If you’re ready to find out more about brands that work with nano and micro influencers, including 50+ brands that actively send PR to nano and micro influencers, this guide explains the ins and outs, and dos and don’ts.

Why Brands Prefer to Work With Small Influencers

I’ve worked in influencer marketing from every angle—from identifying and engaging creators while working in-house at brands, to running my own influencer relations agency for the past decade, where I coach creators and lead strategic activations. I’ve seen firsthand how nano-influencers (under 10,000 followers) and micro influencers (under 50,000) often deliver stronger ROI for brands than bigger influencers. It’s why many brands invest in ambassador programs, collaborations, and PR mailers specifically targeted to small influencers. 

Consider these data- and dollars-driven reasons: 

1. Trust and authenticity: Niche communities thrive on trust and a sense of belonging. Followers often feel an intimate, one-to-one connection with the creator—even when it’s a one-to-many. As Influencer Daily recently explained, “At the heart of micro influencer success is trust. These creators are seen as peers, not celebrities…. This authenticity drives engagement and loyalty.” And this is what brands are after.
2. Higher engagement: According to Social Cat’s 2025 influencer marketing report, micro influencers deliver 46% higher engagement than mid-tier influencers (up to 100,000 followers), with an average 1.81% engagement rate compared to 1.24%. Translation: Smaller communities are more likely to click, comment, and convert. 
3. Cost-effectiveness: Smaller creators tend to produce more authentic, user-generated content (UGC) that brands can easily repurpose across marketing channels—usually at a fraction of the price of macro influencer partnerships. “This allows brands to scale campaigns across multiple creators without blowing the budget,” Influencer Daily noted. 

How to Get on PR Lists as a Nano or Micro Influencer

First, let’s level-set expectations: Most PR opportunities are gifting collaborations, not paid partnerships. Once the brand sees how you authentically feature and interact with their products, it can lead to future paid campaigns. 

In my case, I genuinely love food. So, my blog and social feeds are filled with recipe experiments, restaurant finds, and, yes, grocery hauls and other treats from brands like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. Even if I weren’t on their PR lists, I’d still be using and sharing their products because they are part of my everyday life. The same principle applies across other product categories and creator niches, whether it’s travel and lifestyle (my other two specialties), beauty, fashion, tech, toys, and so on. 

Here are some essential tips for getting noticed by brands that send PR to small influencers:

• Use a professional email address in your social media bio, ideally, a custom domain name (like hi@yourname.com) or a Gmail address over Yahoo, etc.
  
• Post consistently to showcase your unique style and prove that you’re both relatable and reliable.
  
• Engage organically with brands by tagging, mentioning, and using their products in your posts.
  
• Keep a media kit on hand with your stats, short bio, and content highlights, in case you have the opportunity to share it with a brand

Don’t have a media kit yet? Check out my post, How to Get Sponsored by Brands: A Step-by-Step Guide for Creators of All Sizes, which covers everything from creating a media kit to writing a pitch email that actually gets replies.

How to Stand Out When Reaching Out

Before we dive into the 50+ companies that send PR packages to smaller influencers, let’s talk about how to approach them if they don’t contact you first (which is often the norm). Whether you’re pitching a brand or responding to a campaign opportunity, your outreach should be thoughtful, professional, and not in the TL;DR zone.

Here are some tactics that work: 

• Personalize your pitch. Avoid mass emails and generic requests for PR. Instead, show you’ve done your homework by weaving in specific details to highlight your genuine appreciation for the brand and understanding of their values, products, and audience.
  
• Be kind, not transactional. The influencer marketing space is small, and brand reps often bop between companies. A single negative experience can follow you across campaigns. Aim to be easy to engage with, not someone they avoid. A respectful, collaborative tone goes a long way in building trust and lasting relationships.
  
• Share relevant stats. Include engagement rates, follower demographics, and niche alignment, or provide your media kit. Help the brand see how your audience overlaps with theirs and what makes your content uniquely valuable.
  
• Show off your best work. Link to or attach content you’re proud of, especially posts that feature the brand or similar products. This gives them a clear sense of your style and storytelling approach.

50+ Brands That Send PR to Small Influencers by Category

Ready to connect with brands that value small creators? I’ve organized the following 50-plus companies by category for easy reference. (Keep in mind, PR contacts may be listed under “Media,” “Press,” “Business & Partnerships,” or similar titles or departments. So, reach out professionally, and if you’ve contacted the wrong team, politely ask them to connect you or share the correct contact.) 

Beauty & Skincare

• Glossier: Glossier sends super fan-favorite skincare and makeup like Balm Dotcom and serums to their cult-like community. Glossier prioritizes creators who already show love for the brand—tag them in your routines and rituals to catch their eye!
  PR contact: brand@glossier.com.
  
• e.l.f. Cosmetics: e.l.f. is a cost-efficient yet trendy brand that thrives off micro-influencers. e.l.f. dispatches PR boxes across nearly every launch. You can apply to their influencer program by joining the Beauty Squad loyalty program for early access and exclusives, or tag them in your content to get noticed.
  PR contact: corpcomms@elfbeauty.com.
  
• ColourPop: ColourPop is infamous for its huge PR packages of new collections. Small creators frequently receive gifting because of high social buzz—focus on vibrant, trend-forward makeup looks.
  
  Join the ColourPop Crew by signing up on their site to unlock rewards like free products and exclusives. Use their online contact form and attach your media kit.
  PR contact: press@colourpop.com.
  
• Paula’s Choice: Paula’s Choice is a prominent skincare brand built on science and education. It’s the perfect fit for creators who explain routines and care about science-backed formulations—highlight ingredient breakdowns in your content. Apply to the On the Rise paid program for Black creators with under 30,000 followers (check eligibility and submit via their Instagram bio link during the application period).
  Tip: For other opportunities, use their Ask a Question form, as direct emails aren't publicly listed.
  
• Drunk Elephant: Drunk Elephant is a bright and playful brand that sends full-size products and mini kits. The team loves creators with fun, creative content with a unique twist. Tag them and use #DrunkElephant for visibility.
  PR contact: press@drunkelephant.com.
• The Ordinary: The Ordinary goes beyond the ordinary. They offer their most popular serums and skincare treatments—ideal for small creators focused on skincare education and empowerment.
  Tip: Submit PR requests through the Media contact form (Contact Us > Contact Us for Media) rather than their general hello@theordinary.co email address, or DM @theordinaryco on Instagram for quicker outreach.
• Kosas: Kosas offers a wide variety of clean beauty products like lip oils and foundations. They target creators at the intersection of beauty and wellness who emphasize minimalistic, "no-makeup makeup" looks.
  Tip: Use their Contact Us form or LetsChat@Kosas.com, as no direct PR contact is provided.
• Fenty Beauty: Rihanna’s global brand supports creators of all sizes, shades, and more. Fenty sends new product launches and curated kits to its superfans and makes them feel like celebrities. They also celebrate diverse voices through ongoing casting calls announced on social.
  Tip: Pitch via their Contact Us form or email customerservice@fentybeauty.com for general help.
• Function of Beauty: Function of Beauty is a personalized haircare and skincare brand dynamic duo that sends custom kits based on creator quiz results for the ultimate self-care routine. They prioritize creators who can authentically showcase the customization process and the unboxing of their distinctly branded, personalized bottles.
  PR contact: partnerships@functionofbeauty.com.
• FabFitFun: FabFitFun is a seasonal subscription box filled with a plethora of different beauty, lifestyle, and wellness goodies. It’s great for beauty, fashion, and lifestyle creators who review boxes with honest value insights.
  PR contact: collab@fabfitfun.com.

Hair & Makeup

• Morphe: Morphe is most famous for its top-tier palettes, brushes, and makeup collabs. What makes them unique is their pool of small creators who have long been part of their seeding.
  Tip: Apply to the Morphe Artistry Collective on their site for perks like gifted products and partnerships (submit your portfolio and social stats—minimum 2,500 followers on Instagram or TikTok), or use their Contact Us form for pitches.
• Pixi Beauty: Pixi Beauty is a beauty brand that’s highly micro-influencer friendly with constant PR drops and giftings.
  Tip: Submit an application to the Pixi Ambassador Program for potential perks and partnerships, or pitch via their Contact Us page. 
• Wet n Wild: Wet n Wild is an affordable beauty brand that sends playful PR boxes tied to new launches. They’re on top of their tags and mentions, so take advantage of it.
  Tip: Their Contact form doesn’t allow attachments (like your media kit), so try reaching out via customercare@wetnwildbeauty.com to ask if they can connect you with the right contact.
• Briogeo: Briogeo is a clean haircare brand that sends bundles of their bestselling products. They spotlight smaller creators who align with wellness.
  PR contact: influencers@briogeohair.com.
• Olaplex: Olaplex is a top contender in haircare brands. They provide their bond-building system and new launches to creators specializing in haircare and beauty.
  Tip: Use the Contact Us form on their site for PR; support@olaplex.com for follow-up.
• Summer Fridays: Summer Fridays is a creator-first skincare and wellness brand that sends PR, especially to creators highlighting diverse beauty. You can also engage with their community on IG for a chance to be featured.
  PR contact: influencers@summerfridays.com.
• Huda Beauty: Huda is a bold beauty brand that goes beyond the standard. They’re also known to send glam PR kits to creators who set trends and are pioneers in their space. Join Huda's Beauties Ambassador Program to earn rewards and exclusives (apply with your content examples).
  Tip: Submit via their support ticket form for PR inquiries.

Food & Beverage

• Health-Ade Kombucha: Health-Ade is a popular wellness drink brand that shares its tantalizing kombucha flavors with lifestyle and health and wellness-focused creators.
  PR contact: influencers@health-ade.com.
• Liquid I.V.: Liquid I.V. offers highly sought-after hydration powder packets, perfect after a fun night out or to stay replenished after a workout. They include PR boxes with a variety of their unique flavors and fun merch.
  PR contact: press@liquid-iv.com.
• Chamberlain Coffee: Chamberlain Coffee curates coffee bundles and merchandise to various creators who also channel Emma Chamberlain’s relatable vibe and aesthetic.
  PR contact: hi@chamberlaincoffee.com.
• Magic Spoon: Magic Spoon is a popular protein cereal brand that sends colorful PR boxes with a variety of flavors to try.
  PR contact: influencers@magicspoon.com.
• SmartSweets: SmartSweets is a low-sugar candy that sends fun packages to creators with wellness and foodie-centric lifestyle audiences.
  Tip: Their Kick Sugar Crew influencer program is currently full; email hello@smartsweets.com to express interest and get on the waitlist. For paid partnerships, use partnerships@smartsweets.com.
• Poppi: Poppi is a prebiotic soda with vibrant branding that dispatches lots of PR packs for fun lifestyle content creators. 
  Tip: Fill out their OnBrand Form for content creators with your stats and ideas to “create something fizzy together.”
• La Croix: La Croix is a sparkling beverage brand that sends creative PR packages beyond infinite packs of water. From inflatable balls to Christmas decorations, La Croix goes beyond its product. 
  Tip: Apply to be a College Brand Ambassador for campus events and gifting, or submit your influencer request via its Partnerships form.
• RXBar: RXBar curates variety packs and seasonal flavors for lifestyle and fitness content creators. 
  Tip: Join their No B.S. Athlete Ambassador Program for their protein bars for inclusive opportunities (apply with your fitness journey) or do initial outreach through their Help Center contact form.
• Athletic Greens: AG1 is a popular daily greens supplement that provides shaker bottles and starter kits to health and fitness-focused creators of all sizes.
  Tip: Apply for creator partnerships via https://app.onbrand.com/brand/ag1. 

Fashion & Lifestyle

• Princess Polly: Princess Polly is especially popular with micro-influencers and shares trendy fashion pieces for haul content.
  Tip: Submit ideas via their inquiry form at us.princesspolly.com/pages/collabs.
• Aritzia: Aritzia is a chic lifestyle brand that provides credits or curated outfits for styling, perfect for micro fashion and lifestyle creators—layer effortlessly chic looks.
  PR contact: influencer@aritzia.com.
• Mejuri: Mejuri is a minimalist jewelry brand that sends timeless pieces from rings to necklaces to creators, regardless of size—showcase everyday elegance in your OOTDs.
  Tip: Apply to join Mejuri’s community of creators at https://finecrew.mejuri.com/connect.
• Skims: Kim Kardashian’s instantly iconic shapewear and loungewear brand regularly sends PR kits with new drops and launches to creators who embody body positivity.
  Tip: Apply for their official Influencer Program at influencers.skims.com.
• Parade: Parade is an inclusive underwear brand that ships bundles and frequently reposts small creators—especially those sharing empowering, diverse content.
  Tip: Apply as a "Parade Friend" in their Parade Community Program for gifting perks (requires 800+ followers and 2-3 daily posts/engagements on one public platform; full eligibility at yourparade.com/pages/parade-community-program).
• Fabletics: Fabletics is an activewear subscription brand that sends monthly outfits to ambassadors in fitness, wellness, and lifestyle niches, who showcase their versatile workouts and gear.
  Tip: Submit your influencer profile to join Team Fabletics at fabletics-influencer.com.
• Nuuly: Nuuly sends clothing rentals perfect for all occasions and works with creators of all sizes.
  Tip: Apply to Cluub Nuuly for monthly sessions and exclusives. The first rule of this club? Tell everyone about it (tagging #cluubnuuly, of course).
• Pura Vida: Pura Vida is a lifestyle jewelry brand that gifts accessories and cool bracelet stacks, so perfect for lifestyle, travel, and fashion creators.
  Tip: Want to be a Brand Ambassador? Use their Contact form. For other pitches, try media@puravidabracelets.com.
• CASETiFY: Known for customizable phone cases, laptop sleeves, straps, and various tech add-ons, CASETiFY collaborates frequently with creators—offering personalized PR boxes (think monogrammed items, custom prints)—and running Influencer Capsule programs.
  Tip: Reach out at hello@casetify.com or DM them on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to start the conversation.
• Ana Luisa: Ana Luisa is a sustainable jewelry brand that provides creators with a variety of different angles to collaborate from giftings to user-generated content—focus on ethical, versatile pieces.
  Tip: Apply to become an Ana Luisa Influencer on analuisa.com/pages/become-an-influencer.
• Grove Collaborative: Grove Collaborative is an eco-friendly cleaning and self-care brand that curates PR bundles for creators showcasing zero-waste home and wellness routines—perfect for sustainable lifestyle niches.
  Tip: Request PR or pitch collabs via their Contact Us form, including your media kit.

Do’s and Don’ts

Landing PR or gifting collabs is about smart strategy, creativity, and relationship-building. Learn from my influencer marketing experience with these dos and don’ts. The goal? Making genuine connections that can lead to long-term, paid partnerships.

Do's

• Research thoroughly. Reference a specific product or campaign in your pitch to prove you're a fan. Personalization boosts response rates.
• Follow up smartly. Wait one to two weeks, then send a concise nudge with new tagged content—persistence signals reliability.
• Disclose transparently. Sharing your PR haul with followers? Use #ad or #gifted per Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rules to show professionalism and encourage repeat opportunities.
• Engage actively. Comment on the brand’s posts and repost UGC to stay top-of-mind.

Don’ts

• Fall for scams. Beware: Scammers often pose as brands, asking creators to pay upfront shipping fees or using suspicious email addresses. Always verify through official brand websites or social channels. If a notable brand is contacting you from a generic Gmail address, it’s likely a scam.
• Demand freebies. Skip phrases like “Send me products,” and focus on mutual value, like showcasing their items to your engaged community.
• Delay replies. Respond to PR messages in 24 to 48 hours—timeliness matters during launch rushes.
• Get discouraged. PR doesn’t equal an instant paycheck, so be patient. You’re seeding relationships first to see how they can grow. In the meantime, refine pitches, tag more, and hang in there. While scams are real, most silences are just about timing.

Final Thoughts: Kickstart Your PR Journey as a Small Creator

Repeat after me: Follower count isn’t everything. You don’t need 100,000 followers to get on a PR list. The dozens of brands we just discussed embrace fresh voices like yours. Consistency is what is critical to turn early PR experiences into long-term partnerships. 

Celebrate every milestone, too. Your first PR package is a win. Share it authentically, nurture those connections, and keep creating. That haul is more than a gift—it’s the start of your creator journey, and proof that you’re on the right path. Stay visible, stay true, and watch opportunities unfold. Here’s to your next unboxing (and the next one after that)!