The Dangers of Dirty Makeup Testers

What is up with the dirty make-up testers?

Taken by me at a local WalMart, you could tell this was fairly new & hadn't been out long,
 yet someone had put big gouges in it already!

Photo Source: http://fashionindie.com

Nothing turns me off more than dirty, gummy makeup testers.  I fault the store somewhat, but even more I fault the people who are gunking these up.  Who are you?  Who would smush a lipstain, etc, into an unrecognizable stump and just leave it.  Or who would take the lid off something & not bother to replace it?  Worst of all...who the heck is opening the items that aren't testers, ruining them for purchase.  I was at a Canadian grocery/household goods store last week & the makeup testers were pretty much all a disgusting mess, such a turn off. I would never apply any of these things to my face, even with a separate applicator, but I don't even want to put some of them on my hand.  Let's stop the madness!    

      Photo Source: http://fashionindie.com

The following article is a good reminder that we need to protect ourselves at the make-up counter.  As disgusting as this is, it's important that we educate ourselves about the dangers of dirty make-up!

Dr Oz & Paula Begoun Reveal the Dangers at the Makeup Counter & How to Protect Yourself

It’s scary but true:  A recent study found 100% of all the products that were tested were contaminated, some with E. coli.  WOW!  Dr Oz tested products from his local area and also found strep and yeast in the products.

A 2-year study of germs at the makeup counter found that 100% of samples were contaminated with bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus(Staph), strep and E. Coli (the poop germ). It didn’t matter if the store was on Fifth Avenue or Main Street says Dr Oz. 

Dr Oz says every time you touch one of those contaminated testers you risk making the biggest beauty blunder of your life.

The Bacteria at the Makeup Counter - Those pretty shiny testers are touched by hundreds of women who may harbor pink eye, herpes, a cold or flu, or simply hands that weren’t washed after going to the bathroom. They're loaded with bacteria and feces and even e-coli says Paula. She said there is no evidence that your actually getting sick from it, herpes or anything, but most germs are there and just because it's not recorded doesn't mean it isn't happening.

Dr Oz triangle of death (your eyes, nose and mouth) is when bacteria goes through the mucus membrane straight back to the brain. Bacteria, virus's and fungi, all of which were found on the samples, can get right into our blood stream.

Studies found the highest levels of contamination were samples on the weekend, the lowest levels were on Thursday afternoon. 

What can you do?

Use single-use applicators - Have an alcohol spray or ask at the counter for one and spray the tube of lipstick before trying it on and swab it from the side.  

For lip gloss in tubes squeeze out a little bit of it and use a single use applicator to apply.

Disinfect lipsticks, pencils and brushes.  Use a Kleenex to wipe off the top layer of eye shadows, blushes, and powders and apply with a cotton ball or individual applicator.

Take your own mascara for a makeover - everyone is re dipping the same applicator in the mascara and applying it to the eyes and then it is used on someone else.

Test makeup on your wrist or the back of your hand instead of applying it directly to your face.

Wash your skin immediately after trying on makeup.

What do you all think?  Are we all shuddering just a little bit after reading this?  

Source: http://dailyhealthweb.blogspot.com May 20, 2010