Playing with testers at the cosmetic counter is a lot of fun. There are so many pretty and interesting products that seem to beckon and call us to try them and, once we do, we can see how well they suit our coloring, skin type and needs before purchasing the full size. For any beauty lovers, it’s like being in a playground. But there can dangers lurking around…
Testers are used every day by tens, if not thousands of people. Some of these people can have dirty hands, or health problems such as pink eye and contaminate the testers with bacteria, mould and fungi. It is true that most products contain preservatives but these are tested to be safe when used by one person, not loads of them everyday! The more people use testers, the more bacteria they have to fight, the weaker preservatives become and, after a while, they stop working.
So, what shall we do? Should we not use testers at all? Such a drastic measure isn’t really necessary. Here’s what you can do to play with testers safely:
Mascara and liquid eyeliners
Mascaras and liquid eyeliners have the most risk of contamination and should NEVER be tested directly on the eyes/lashes. Not even if the counter has disposable wands. Why? Because you just can’t be certain that all the people that tried the tester before you didn’t double-dip. If you wanna test a mascara, apply it on the hairs on your arm. Yes, I know, it is weird, isn’t it? But you’ll get an idea of how well a mascara adds length or volume without the risk of getting an eye infection.
Powder products
Powder products (such as loose or pressed eyeshadows, blushes and powders) have, on the other hand, the least risk of contamination. That’s because bacteria need a moist environment to thrive and grow. However, that doesn’t mean that they are completely risk-free. It is always a good idea to wipe away the top layer of a powder product (just ask the SA or makeup artist at the counter if you can do this though) with a tissue before trying it on. Or just try it on your hand, which is always the safest option (especially with eyeshadows).
Lipsticks and cream products
Lipsticks are pretty easy to test. Most people just sweep it on their lips (never do this!) so the top of a lipstick is the area most likely to be contaminated. Instead, twist it up and pick up the product at the base to test it. Alternatively (and this is something you should do with all cream products) ask a SA or makeup artist if they have alcohol to sanitize the product before trying it on.
Foundations and concealers
Unlike other cosmetic products, concealer and foundation should be tried on the face (the latter near the jawline) to be sure you get a perfect match for your skintone. If the testers come in a tube, squeeze a bit of product on a tissue and then throw it away. Bacteria are usually found in the top layer of a product so once that is removed, you should be able to use the tester safely. If instead the tester comes in a cream or stick form, use the same tips I shared previously for lipsticks and cream products. And if you can, use a clean, disposable sponge instead than your fingers to apply the product on your face.
Pencils, brushes and organic products
Pencil eyeliners should never be tried on the eyes. Test them on the back of your hands instead. As for brushes, you can tell how soft or scratchy the bristles are just by touching them. But if you want to try and use them on your face, ask for an alcohol bottle and sanitize them. But always beware of organic or preservative-free products. These either contain no preservatives or natural preservatives which are weaker than parabens or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives that just don’t protect as well. If you really want to try these products do so on the back of your hand, never on your face, as the risk of bacteria contamination is high.
Do you play with testers at cosmetic counters? Do you follow these tips or have others you want to share?
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you gor sharing this Gio! I alwats test everything on the back of my hand to minimize infection and i’m always horrified to see people swipe lip products directly on their lips or mascara on lashes. Its not only inconsiderate, it could also be harmful to them.
Paris B´s last [type] ..Day 6 of 30 – Maybelline Watershine Pure Diamonds 304
I agree. The horror of it. I once saw a girl testing a lipstick by swiping it DIRECTLY on her lips. Brrrr…..I was so put off. This is indeed a very informative and educational article.
Joy Chuah, thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed my article. And that would put me off too. People should be more careful with what they put on their skin. After all, who knows how many people have tested the same lipstick that way before? Eww.
Paris, thank you. That always shocks me too. How can someone put on their eyes and lips something that’s been used by so many people? It can be really dangerous. Testing everything on the back of your hand is safer.
Thanks for all the tips! I almost always test cosmetics on my hand or arm. I recently swiped a lipstick on the back of my hand, and the lady after me used the same tube directly on her lips! I was a bit shocked to say the least.
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Denise, you’re welcome. I always test everyone on the back of my hand bar foundations but even then I make sure the tester is safe before using it. But applying lipstick straight from the tube is just dangerous and always shocking to see.
I always have in my bag a small lip brush to test lipstick. I simply take the product from the base with the brush and try it on. It’s safe and simple
Elly, what a great and safe idea to test lipstick! Thanks for sharing.
This is such great advice. I mean..when you go to Sephora, some of those testers look downright gross.
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Trisha, I know, right? Some testers are in such bad condition that I can’t believe how people can touch them, let alone use them on their eyes and lips. Eww. If a tester is really gross, I’d rather just walk away and not try it.
This post is very useful, thanks Gio. I don’t share my makeup with my friends, how could someone use a lipstick tried by hundreds of strangers!? I always test products on the back of my hand, except foundation. And use makeup remover after.
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La Bisbetica, those are my thoughts exactly. You don’t know how many people have played with the tester before you and some are so gross I don’t see how anyone could use. Testing on the back of your hand and wiping everything off afterwards is the safest way to try testers.
I’m always shocked when I see people testing mascara straight from the tester tube…you’re not even supposed to share mascara with your friends! Yikes. I always swatch everything on the back of my hand, and then wipe it off after.
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Makeup Morsels, I’m always horrified when I see people testing mascara like that. It is so risky! I just hope they won’t get an infection or anything. But it’s always best not to risk it and try everything on your hand/arm.
I usually just test makeup at Sephora, and I only test it on the back of my hand. Then I wipe it off after a few minutes – luckily Sephora has lots of makeup remover all over the store to use. I remember I used to test Mac lipstick at the counter – they would wipe it off with alcohol for me, but now it seems kind of gross. Since Sephora and drugstores let you return makeup, I just return stuff that ends up not working out.
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Jeni, that’s the safest way to try cosmetics and it’s good to know Sephora has makeup removers easily available. It’s not always the case here which is a shame. If they sanitized it with alcohol it should be fine but you can always try it on the back of your hand. Better safe than sorry after all. And it’s so great that you can return cosmetics in the USA. You can’t do that here so you need to be careful with what you buy.
I generally don’t play with testers, because they usually look disgusting :/
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Stavroula, that’s awful! Some stores don’t really take care of their testers and don’t sanitize which is a shame cos it puts a lot of people off trying them.
I used to use the lipstick straight of the stick aswell (eeeewwww gross) i don’t know what i was thinking (obviously not much) but now i only try concealer on my jawline and then remove it afterwards the same with powder.Thanks for the article
Skye, I think most of us have done that back when we first started getting into makeup and didn’t know any better. Looking back, it’s really gross. Thank goodness we know better now.