Do you like to go to stores and try on tester samples of makeup products? If so, think twice.
A woman in California has claimed that trying on a lipstick tester has made her contract lip herpes. She is now suing the cosmetic brand Sephora for failing to ensure customers' safety and proper hygiene standards.
The woman, Elena Davoyan, visited the makeup brand's store in Los Angeles in October 2015. There, she tried on a lipstick from the samples displayed on the shelves. Soon after, she was diagnosed with oral herpes that has left her stressed and depressed.
According to Davoyan, she had never experienced herpes or skin sores before her fateful visit to the Sephora store. Now, she is suing the company to the tune of $25,000 for "liability, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotion distress for an incurable lifelong affliction."
The afflicted customer wants to make the public aware of the dangers of recklessly applying makeup products from store samples that may contain germs from others. "The bottom line is that (there) are numerous simple solutions to prevent the spreading of diseases through lipstick testers, and that is Sephora's responsibility," says the lawsuit, which has been filed by lawyer Robert Krasney.
The lawsuit accuses the cosmetic brand of being oblivious to their customers' safety by encouraging the use of 'common' makeup products and alcohol wipes that are displayed in numerous shelves, reports Daily News. Davoyan also states that other stores are more cautious in this regard, as they use lipstick wands, swabs or individual testers to ensure proper hygiene.
Research has shown previously that makeup testers can become carriers of serious germs. If adequate conditions are given, herpes virus may stay on a lipstick tube for a few hours.
When contacted about the lawsuit, Sephora told Daily Mail that "the health and safety of our clients is our foremost priority. We take product hygiene very seriously and we are dedicated to following best practices in our stores." However, they did not comment particularly on this lawsuit.
