Re: People who try to mooch free stuff or services
What that girl did is simply outrageous, but it's understandable cos she proved herself to be a true skank stealing your stuff. I hope you will be able to get your stuff back, even to just throw it in the bin. Skanky as she sounds, she might then be fishing in the garbage to get it back out.
I'm not a MUA, but the idea of someone going through my stuff makes me shudder already. I used to keep fighting with my younger sis cos she would lend my clothes from my (I admit, over-full) closet, and then either not return it, or return it covered in some spots

Or she would go on: "oh, you've got too much clothes already, and I hardly have any new clothes....You won't really miss that skirt/dress/shirt, and I really like it, so pls give it to me". Errrrm hell no?

I mean, I've been working my ass off so I could allow myself to fill my closet with all that stuff. She, on the ohter hand, never cared to get a full-time job or to save money, so why should I have pity on her? I say it right to her face though, most of the time. If I feel I can miss something I'll give it away myself, and she'll surely be the first one I will offer it to. She still manages to make me feel guilty sometimes, and then I will usually give her something anyway.
It seems that people who are jealous of what you have that they haven't got percept themselves as some kind of victims of the situation, which makes you automatically indebted to them in their eyes. :S It's your stuff, so who are they to tell you what to do with it? Surely if you'd wanted anyone to have anything, be it a free makeover, a free legal advice or piece of clothing, you'd offer it yourself? People who go begging for stuff with some tear-jerking stories are lower than low in my eyes. Have some self-respect ffs!
I resell make-up, and my best mate, who is also make-up crazy like me, always pays for the stuff she buys from me. She even gives me more than I ask, cos she understands that I'm already missing out on any profit selling stuff for the same price I paid for it to her, rather than re-selling it.
I understand, when someone is still in the training, that they might need some models to practice on, and then you can offer your "services". In that case both sides get what they want. But when someone goes professional, it's unethical to ask them to do all your make-up for free, cos their time+skills=money. You should at least return the favour somehow. Referring your friends to them for a free do is even more unethical :S :S :S Don't they care that you can actually earn some money with this?
As for PRO discounts, those people do realize that you have to pay for your membership, don't they? :S I wouldn't mind to have a friend who had access such a discount, but would never beg. If she offers me to make use of it, I'll gladly do, but will make sure to thank her in one way or another for that.
So all of you are in the full right to say "no", cos all of these things are a matter of a personal discretion. How would they feel if someone would, say, ask them to borrow their underwear or (worse) to give it away, if they don't really need it?? LOL