I used to work in a beauty department at a large supermarket chain and we always had to use Q-tips. But most stores simply don't make them available, so finger it is!

Most look really nasty, and the ones that don't still might have unknown germs waiting to pounce once you try out that eyeshadow or lip colour. Yuck.

I once got an eye infection from using eye shadow tester at a high-end department store.

I tend to use my finger - mainly because a lot of places don't provide little sample applicators - but things do NOT go on my face. They always go on the back of my hand or wrist. I can pretty much tell what's going to look good/bad that way regardless...

never

Oh, the germs! The germs!

Never use them at all... well, the q-tip thing but so few stores have that option.

I use the applicator that the store provides. If they don't have any I'll use my fingers, but I don't actually put anything on my face.

They look gross so, unless I REALLY, REALLY want to try out the product, I'll use the applicator that the store provides or if they don't I'll use my finger...but yes, I don't apply anything to my face. It's pretty scary 'cause you don't know what's in there O-o

I refuse to even use it when they have the disposable applicators such as at Sephora etc!

I feel like even then somehow a germ has gotten in there. Sick!

And I DEFINATELY do not use sh*t that doesnt even have an applicator.

Oh I'm gonna be sick now...

J/K

I will use my finger and ONLY use it on the back of my hand. I will never put it on my face. ICK. I knew someone who got pink eye from one of those testers! EW.

germiness! i don't touch the testers unless it's perfume or lotion.

im soooo glad that what i am reading is good news... i use the applicators... and stuff never goes on my face. i am glad my fellow sugar girls do the same... together we can make testers... CLEANER!

I use the knuckle on my first finger. Say if it's some eyeshadow? And I never EVER put them anywhere near my face. I won't even try lipgloss, foundation, etc. etc. Not happening. Before I even put my hand near the makeup, I look to see if there's some alcohol or hand sanitizer nearby.

The only kind of tester I will use is if it a spray on like a perfume or something. I would NEVER use any tester lipgloss or anything like that. No way. People are so gross the way they use that stuff. The only thing I have tested in the -not a spray- group is if an eyeshadow looks new and barely used I may use a qtip to test its color on the back of my hand- and then I wash my hands soon there after- but thats as far as I go in the tester dept.

I wipe the hell out of the tester (taking several layers off the product) with a tissue and then use a q-tip.

I can't bring myself to do it. I get skeeved just thinking about it!

ewww.

I really only play with makeup at Sephora or MAC where they offer brushes, sponges, and most importantly cleaners/sanitizers.

I'll test out colours on the back of my hand (anything - concealers, bronzers, eyeshadows, etc) and then wash it off with the wipes they supply.

If you were to get a makeover done at either store, they use the makeup displayed, but clean it first...

I never use testers. They give me the heeby-jeebies.

Unless it's perfume. That's fine, because people are fingering it all up.

I would NEVER put anything from a test product near or on my face! So gross and germy.

If I want to see how a color looks, I'll dab it on the back of my hand and wash them off after.

I'm super bad about this... I use the testers with the Make up applicators that are provided... the disposable ones... I only do it at Sephora.... but umm.... I have been bad and used a mascara with its original wand... b/c the Wand makes all the difference!!! But I do tend to wipe off my face with the make up remover...So far nothing bad has happened... but I refuse to use lipsticks...... thats one thing I will not try out.. anything that touches the lips....

Most testers are unsanitary....

I don't use them. You never where the previous people finger(s) have been. Eww.

I never use testers

i have never used a tester anywhere but on the back of my hand or my wrist area, but i promptly wipe it off with the remover they provide after i made my choice.. but i usually use my fingers to try lol

I use perfume testers but I refuse to use cosmetic testers, especially with things like herpes and conjunctivitis. No thank you!

testers are so disgusting.

Having worked on the other side of the counter, I see what happens to those testers in a normal day. And believe me, you don't want to know!!

The only line where I will get made up is at MAC... because I know they have stringent cleaning rules [the other lines do not... at least not like MAC]. At any other line, I will try the tester only on my hand.

Back of the hand. I mean I don't need a cold sore or conjunctivitis.

I've never put anything on my face but I'll put lipstack shades and eyeshadow on my hand to make sure it doesn't clash with my skin tone or anything.

I'm kind of a germophobe, so I would only put on testers with a q tip or an applicator that has never been used by anyone.

Other. I rarely use testers however if I do I test on the back of my wrist.

Always use the applicaters if they're available! I only use the back of my hand to test though, but I think twice when doing that and get a teeny grossed out, so if it's looking a little questionable (most of em do) I'll take a tissue from my purse and wipe off the top first, if it might make any difference.

I do most everything with my finger on my hand. Some things that look clean I put on my eyes but never my lips or too close to my lashes so as to get in my eye.

not anything for the eyes, but lip stuff is ok with me