Make-up testers in busy beauty stores can be tried by dozens – sometimes even hundreds – of people in a single day, which means the same products are being opened, handled and swatched again and again. Even with cleaning routines in place, testers can still pick up bacteria from fingers, shared brushes and the surrounding environment.
That’s why it’s safer to avoid applying testers directly to your face, particularly around your eyes and lips. A more hygienic way to check a shade is to swatch it on the back of your hand or your wrist instead – you’ll still get a good sense of the colour and finish without putting your skin at unnecessary risk.
How to clean up after swatching
When you’re done comparing shades, it’s easy to clean up. To avoid keeping any harmful bacteria on your skin, a simple makeup wipe can take the swatches straight off before you leave.
Expert tips for safe swatching
Sharing a top tip on the best ways to swatch without risking your health, cosmetics expert Lena posted a helpful video that was reposted by makeup mogul Huda Beauty. It was captioned: "NEVER swatch makeup testers on your face. @lenkalul shares how to safely swatch makeup in-store before buying".
Viewers hailed her techniques as "genius," with many admitting they would previously have just chanced it, but that these handy tips have completely changed their approach. So here's everything you need to know...
Lipsticks
Lena revealed that when swatching a lipstick, rather than applying it directly to your lips and risking exposure to bacteria, you should swatch it on your fingertips instead, and "hold up next to your lips to see if you like the colour".
Concealer
"Swatch in the corner of your hand, that way you can see how the concealer creases," Lena recommended. This also lets you gauge whether the shade is right for you, depending on whether you're after a spot concealer or something to brighten your under-eye area.
Foundation
Rather than testing foundations directly on your face to compare shades, Lena advises applying them along your jawline and down onto your neck. "Make sure you allow the foundation to fully dry, and make sure to check the colour in natural light," she recommended.
Eyeshadow
If you're browsing an eyeshadow palette and fancy trying out a few shades, Lena suggests swatching them on the middle knuckle of your finger. This allows you to "see how the eyeshadow behaves on skin that has movement, just like your eyelids".
Highlighter
According to Lena, highlighter should be swatched along the outer edge of your hand – the part running down past your little finger. This is because "the curve of your hand will help you to see how reflective the highlighter is".
Blush
Lena advises swatching blush on your palm, just beneath your thumb. She recommended: "Hold it up next to your cheek to see if you like the colour."
In the comments section, followers thanked Lena for her invaluable tips, calling it "great advice". And honestly, we couldn't agree more!
