If you’re a lipstick fanatic who likes to buy almost every shade available in stores but have trust issues when it comes to trying on lipstick samples, allow us to tell you that you were right to be damn scared all along.
Obviously, lipstick samples or testers in every cosmetic stores are exposed to all kinds of bacteria, dirt, and saliva as many people swipe them on their lips. So you know, they’re gross. What’s worse is, doctors say you can also get herpes from it.
Yup, we’re with you as you say “Eew,” “Yuck,” “Ugh,” and “Gross!”
A Californian woman is reportedly suing Sephora, after allegedly having contracted herpes from one of the cosmetic store’s lipstick samples on display. She claims that the infection was diagnosed by professionals and she never had herpes or cold sores before she visited the store back in October 2015.
“While it is our policy to not comment on Litigation, the health and safety of our clients is our foremost priority,” Sephora said in a statement. “We take product hygiene very seriously and we are dedicated to following best practices in our stores.
Herpes is an infection caused by herpes simplex virus that causes sore on genitals and/or mouth. And like other viruses, it can be passed on through physical contact or encountering something exposed to the virus.
Considering a place like cosmetic stores where people use and share product testers, it is possible to contract the herpes virus from an infected person who used the product. According dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian, customers should proceed with precaution when sampling beauty products. “Chapped lips or breakage in skin make you more susceptible to infection with this virus,” Nazarian added.
It might be unlikely that you’ll come across with a herpes infected product, but seriously, would you even take that chance?
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Artwork by Juan Carlo Janairo