Bella's Saturday Night Nightmare at Target

November 11, 2008

Wild 'n' crazy Bella had a wild 'n' crazy Saturday night — at Target. Woot! Isn't having the store practically all to yourself the best? Making my customary beauty aisle pit stop, I was disturbed by what I saw. While I don't mean to nitpick one of my favorite stores, the new designer makeup collection was a big ol' hot mess, as I'm sure you'll agree. To see what I'm talking about, read more.

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What's odd is that at most other stores where sampling is allowed — think Sephora — the testers are nowhere near this nasty. I don't think that's the fault of Target's employees; it seems like people think "big-box store" and take puerile glee in sticking their fingers in the testers. Good thing Purell is sold just a few aisles over, no?

77 Comments

blondey 4 years 18 weeks

I am lucky, I guess, my Target store in Florida always seems to be clean. But, they don't have any "samples". And, I only would purchase an item if the plastic covering had not been breached.... CVS & Walgreens, on the other hands, YUCK!! I usually buy my cosmetics on line anyway, but in a pinch, like some quick lipgloss, the above applies - don't buy it unless the packaging is still intact.

lilxmissxmolly 4 years 21 weeks

if i want to see the color of a make-up, i'll get a q-tip or w/e and swipe it on the back of my hand...i'm sure there are people who just use it straight out of the testers so no way i'm going to put that near my mouth or eye.

lbirk 4 years 21 weeks

Both Target stores that I regularly visit have similarly disgusting displays of these otherwise intriguing lines. I'm afraid they'll wither on the vine because no one wants to try the products.While more upscale stores may have more aesthetically appealing displays, what you can't see is what will hurt you. Over the years, I've gotten tester infections at Sephora, Saks, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. The pink eye from Saks was the worst! With so many germs out there, the best bet is to avoid testers entirely, except on your hands, and then only if followed by a vigorous washing and hand sanitizer before you touch anything else. Why take unnecessary chances, especially since most reputable stores will gladly refund or exchange products?

lbirk 4 years 21 weeks

Both Target stores that I regularly visit have similarly disgusting displays of these otherwise intriguing lines. I'm afraid they'll wither on the vine because no one wants to try the products. While more upscale stores may have more aesthetically appealing displays, what you can't see is what will hurt you. Over the years, I've gotten tester infections at Sephora, Saks, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. The pink eye from Saks was the worst! With so many germs out there, the best bet is to avoid testers entirely, except on your hands, and then only if followed by a vigorous washing and hand sanitizer before you touch anything else. Why take unnecessary chances, especially since most reputable stores will gladly refund or exchange products?

ericahinsz 4 years 24 weeks

ITS A TARGET! You can't just put out make-up testers in a super store and expect that it's going to be nice and taken care of like Sephora or something. There are probably five year olds walking by with their mommys dragging their dirty little hands along as they go by. Sure Target sells some cool stuff but it's still a Target, which is in fact part grocery store.

nikkigz 4 years 26 weeks

Ughh, I've witnessed people in Sephora using the Lipgloss wands from the testers nearly everytime I've been there. I like the way our Ulta handles their samples, the cut off all the applicators so people are forced to use the provided disposable ones.

LoveSarah 4 years 26 weeks

My target looks the same way, and to top it off they usually don't even have tissues or q-tips. Gross. I don't buy my make up at target anyway, because you can't return it if it is opened (like you can at walgreens) and I refuse to use testers, so I don't' want to be stuck with a make up product I hate.

meringue 4 years 26 weeks

Testers in general are yucky! I cannot imagine adults doing some of the things mentioned on this post...GROSS!I love Target, but they should really not leave these out unless they will be kept somewhat tidy, this is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

meringue 4 years 26 weeks

Testers in general are yucky! I cannot imagine adults doing some of the things mentioned on this post...GROSS! I love Target, but they should really not leave these out unless they will be kept somewhat tidy, this is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

m0readventur0us 4 years 26 weeks

eek! looks like the display was attacked by a horde of kindergartners. this is why i never use testers.

jadorexcouture 4 years 26 weeks

I work at Target and ours is pretty disgusting too, but it's not our fault...our customers are just ignorant when it comes to that stuff. One lady called up one night and asked us if we had one of the lipstick colors; when we told her no, she asked if she could purchase the TESTER! we were disgusted.

CoronaLove 4 years 26 weeks

I have a 4 Targets's at least 2 miles away from me. North, South, East or West. The make up aisles all look like this. Target needs some help. The Napoleon Perdis store in l.a. would be disgusted if their make up was displayed that way.

lexichloe 4 years 26 weeks

What do you expect from Wal-mart Sr.? I've never considered testing any product from Target.

lynbird 4 years 27 weeks

My local Sephora is immaculate but I know the employees work extremely hard to keep it that way (I'm on a first name basis with half the staff. *blush*) I've heard sooo many horror stories about people using the testers straight from the containers or using their fingers and then wiping them on the display.

Baby Girl 4 years 27 weeks

Oh yeah. The Target testers are nasty. What freaks me out more is when I see someone actually using them.

fifthdaughter 4 years 27 weeks

I totally agree brandysbug, I don't even buy the product unless it is tightly sealed. Also I don't touch the testers at any stores, even Sephora. There are so many germs to be transferred.

brandi07 4 years 27 weeks

That is pretty gross. I don't think I would be testing anything from there!

puddlesworth 4 years 27 weeks

They're like savages smearing on war paint.

fashion4ward 4 years 27 weeks

The exact same thing happened at my Target. It was b-a-d!

brandysbug 4 years 27 weeks

ick - I hate testers - yuck! I don't even like to buy a product unless it's tightly sealed in some type of packaging so I know nobody's tried it out!

Jessiebanana 4 years 27 weeks

Even at Sephora I test most products on the back of my hand. I'll put foundation on my face, but I don't think it's worth it to put lip or eye shadow on my face. My hand is close enough to the color of my face for me decide whether I want to buy it or not.

Autumns_Elegy 4 years 27 weeks

Thats effing GNARLY!I see this sort of thing a lot at Target here, but our Targets are pretty low on the department store ladder in Australia (one or two above BigW). I'm reminded of a discount store makeup counter.

Autumns_Elegy 4 years 27 weeks

Thats effing GNARLY! I see this sort of thing a lot at Target here, but our Targets are pretty low on the department store ladder in Australia (one or two above BigW). I'm reminded of a discount store makeup counter.

kaykayelle 4 years 27 weeks

Mine looks just like that if not worse. But my Target is so ridiculously busy that I just assumed that was it. There is a general disheveledness among the throngs of people.I think it's because no one is watching you at Target. You can mess things up without someone dressed in all black with an earpiece staring at you.

kaykayelle 4 years 27 weeks

Mine looks just like that if not worse. But my Target is so ridiculously busy that I just assumed that was it. There is a general disheveledness among the throngs of people. I think it's because no one is watching you at Target. You can mess things up without someone dressed in all black with an earpiece staring at you.

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