Make up counters and trying on samples!

@jillhill (37354)
United States
January 2, 2008 11:49am CST
Did you know that it's very unhealthy to try on make up at the counters. Most of the containers are filled with bacteria. Germ reality check: How unhealthy is it to try on makeup at a department store? Very. At least 75% of tester makeup at a department store is contaminated with some type of fungus, streptococcus, staphylococcus, or e coli bacteria. Even if they give you a clean Q-tip to swipe on a lipstick – do not try it on your mouth. Do not try eyeliner on your eye. Try everything on the inside of your wrist. That’s the closest match to the color of your face anyway. It’s too easy to transfer an infection to your eyes and mouth. Just so you know!
5 people like this
12 responses
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
3 Jan 08
I never try sample. I ask for pre-made sample. It is safe and I am much better to try things at home privacy.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Very good idea!
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
3 Jan 08
very prudent advice you give here,. I do not wear makeup so avoid the make up counters, but do notice all the test sites placed here and there in that vacinity. I thought that they had disposable applicators, but even then I guess it does not guarantee they are being used properly - plus just the fact that they product has been in so many hands... bleck really kind of gross to think of putting something near your eye or on your lips that has been goodness knows where! shiver
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
3 Jan 08
I agree! Wonder where the other person has just been! And what kind of germs they are carrying! Thanks for sharing!
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
2 Jan 08
I agree with you 100%. I knew make up was very unhealthy to use at make up counters. I would think even moreso in a mall area that tends to be a high traffic area. Last month our daughter was married. A friend of our daughter's suggested a certain brand and a specific make up artist. I did have her do my make up and she charged big bucks. Was a good job but while she was plastering the make up on my face, I wondered how many others she used the same product on in the past. I didn't have any problems so guess I lucked out! I won't do it again though. Probably would have been wiser to buy what she suggested and have her use my personal items.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
2 Jan 08
I think you are right...I would have them use my own makeup....but alot of people do use the samples. I have of lotion....I don't think I will anymore!
1 person likes this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
3 Jan 08
I had heard that a long time ago. I've also heard that cell phones are the absolute worst carriers of germs especially in the wintertime. Do yourself a favor and disinfect them things. I don't use any type of samples that are set out for ppl try in the stores. You just never know what kind of germs you can pick up. **AT PEACE WITHIN** ~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Exactly!! Thanks for posting!
@elisa126 (166)
• United States
28 Jan 08
Yes I've known this for years,I never use the testers,I watched a news special on this subject a few years ago,How gross,just the thought gives me goosebumps.. EWWWW!!!
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
29 Jan 08
Even if you don't try the product think of how many have touched the containers....yikes!
@cigotri (35)
• United States
24 Feb 08
Once i went to buy an eyeliner at the mall but i didn't know which one to buy so i asked the sales lady and then she showed me how to put it on(because i didn't know how to put it)so next day i wakeup with a pink eye,so gross and i didn't know what to do so i didn't tell them anything,i had to go and pay a doctor for a visit and medicine.Do you think i should have said something?
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
24 Feb 08
I think I would have called the store. And that's too bad you had to go through pink eye~! Thanks for sharing!
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
3 Jan 08
hi jill! ^__^ thanks for that info. i don't really try make up testers on the counter. just one look at it, i can tell that they are dirty. ^.^ just one look and i would be afraid to even touch it. LOL they just look so dirty and even if malls are all airconditioned, dusts are still everywhere, bacteria and germs are still everywhere and it will definitely cling to any objects and that does not exclude make up testers. ^__^;;
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Very true!!!
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
3 Jan 08
I've never used the makeup at these counters. Since I don't know where it's been or who's used it there is no way I'm going to use it! When I was younger I wanted to get my makeup done by one of these 'make up artists', so I could learn how to apply make up correctly but shied away from them because ANYBODY can use this make up. Not to mention who knows how old the stuff is! It may be prudish to some, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
3 Jan 08
You are not prudish...like you said...very careful!
@psyche49f (2502)
• Philippines
3 Jan 08
It's what I call a health tip for beauty conscious ladies....I'm one person who is not especially fond of trying make ups from testers...for one, make ups is not one of my passions. I do have a set or two at home but they are all given as a gift. If ever, what I try on is a new cologne or perfume...that I know is safer, right? Thanks, and hope that this will serve as a warning to those who do a lot of testing on make ups from lipsticks to blush ons, etc.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
3 Jan 08
I haven't tried on makeup but help myself to samples of lotion all the time! And it's a good tip too. Thanks for responding.
@peanutjar (5198)
• Canada
3 Jan 08
Hi,i never try those samples on!lol.Im so scared of germs on those things and stay far away if possible from "letting" someone use me as their makeup ginni pig,hehe.If i do,i try the foundation on the inside of my wrist where it is the closest color to our face color,the lipstick i try it on the side of my finger thumb,masacara dont have to try it and also the eyeliner.Its easy to know what color it is any way,haha.The other day i think i had like 10 colors of liptstick on my hand,hahaha!!I am the queen of makeup cleanliness at make-up stores,hahahaha!!!!Stay away germy make-up! Have a nice day jillhill:) Peanutjar:)
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
3 Jan 08
You have a nice day too Peanutjar! And thanks for posting!
• Australia
2 Jan 08
I agree with you and I never try on make up at counters! If I want to test it out, I'll just test it on the back of my hand or something and then quickly wash it off in the bathroom. My sister in law had a bad experience just before her wedding. She went for a pre-wedding make up test and had a rash for a few days. Luckily the rash cleared on her wedding day!
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
3 Jan 08
I heard it on the radio! ...but never thought about it before. My sister and I try all those hand lotions etc. Just think how many hands have been on those. We won't be doing that anymore!
@mummybec (685)
• Australia
3 Jan 08
I dont have any of those places that have samples around here but even if I did I would not use them - yuck I can only imagine what you could pick up - you never know who has used it before you!!
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
3 Jan 08
That's for sure!