Woman walks into Ulta for makeup routine after ChatGPT gives advice: ‘As an Ulta employee, the way you are using the testers is extremely unsanitary‘
Makeup testers at beauty retailers like Ulta can be helpful. After all, what we envision in our minds may be different from reality. While sampling these in-store makeup items has a set of implied rules of hygiene, it doesn’t stop this woman from breaking them for her ChatGPT-generated beauty regimen every step of the way.
Ulta Skin Prep
While washing her face with a wipe, Utah-based beauty enthusiast Emily (@hotlipssociety) walks inside an Ulta Beauty.
“Come with me inside Ulta to get ready,” she says in a hushed tone. “I literally asked ChatGPT to come up with a [full make-up] routine.”
To pacify those critical, she sprays her hands with disinfectant. “For all you germaphobes,” she remarks. “My hand sanitizer.”
Then, the content creator spots the first test item. “I’m literally gonna use these Peach and Lily Lazy Day All In Moisture Pads,” she says. When she opens the container, she violates the first sanitary practice by reaching for a pad and rubbing it all over her face with her bare hands.
Next, Emily applies the same brand’s Retinoic Eye Cream around her eyes and moves on to a different product. “Super Oasis Concentrated Serum. This goes on before moisturizer,” she explains, spraying it in her hand and rubbing it on her face.
Before completion, she returns to the Peach and Lily brand. “I’m gonna use the Ultra Plush Rich Cream,” she says, scooping out the cream with her index finger and putting it on.
The ChatGPT Makeup Routine In Action
Not only does she violate sanitary procedures for the skin prep, but makeup as well. “The first thing ChaptGPT wants me to use is the Hourglass Veil Primer,” the content creator says, pumping the primer onto her middle finger and primes her face.
“NARS Light Reflecting Foundation in shade Deauville,” Emily continues, blending the foundation into her skin with her makeup brush, which is another no-no. “This is my own brush.” Then, she dabs the Radiant Creamy Concealer wand under her eyes.
“Made By Mitchell just dropped at Ulta. This is the cream,” she says. When she opens the bright green palette, she swaths the color onto her brush and dabs her temples, forehead, and nose.
“I may need to go to a darker color,” she states. But she repeats the process with a bronzer and finds her match. “I’m thinking that bronzer looks really good. I’m gonna go in with a blush now,” she says, dabbing dark pink cream with her brush in circular motions on her cheeks.
Subsequently, the content creator sprays her face with Tarte Shape Tape Stay Spray Setting Spray. “Laura Mercier Translucent,” she says, patting the brush into the eye cream and all over her face, followed by adding the Precisely My Brow Wax Benefit onto her eyebrows. “Back to the Made By Mitchell to set all my powder,” Emily says, spreading several powders along with a Luminous Blush on the sides of her face.
Once she finishes, she moves on to lips. “I’m gonna do the Made By Mitchell Del Rio Lip Liner,” she says, lining her outer lips straight from the tube, accompanied by an unnamed matte lipstick. “I’m gonna do this gloss called ‘I’m The Bloss,’” the content creator shares, blobbing the product onto her index finger and smoothing it across her lips.
What Does She Think?
Afterward, Emily jumps to eye makeup. “It’s the same palette I used for the powder bronze and blush,” she says, using the ‘windshield wiper’ motion over her eyelid creases. From there, she lines her eyes with a Cryon Eyeshadow Crayon by the same brand and sweeps her lashes with Lancome Idole Flutter Extension Mascara.
Lastly, she adds the finishing touches of the AI beauty ritual by misting her face in MAC Fix+ Setting Spray. However, she includes her own flair by applying Ambient Lighting Hourglass bronzer.
“ChatGPT chose my makeup, I approve,” Emily concludes in her car.
Viewers Were Appalled
Emily’s video amassed 5.9 million views, drawing in criticism and disgust.
“& thank you for confirming why I NEVER ‘try’ the testers,” one viewer remarked.
“WHY would you contaminate everything you used,” a second commented.
“It baffles me how people don’t understand cross contamination,” a third stated.
Moreover, alleged Ulta Beauty employees chimed in, warning of the potential dangers.
“As an Ulta employee, the way you are using the testers is extremely unsanitary both for you and other customers. There’s nothing wrong with using the testers to do your makeup. Just please try to be more mindful about it!” one commenter said.
They continued, “There are disposable applicator tools on the stations in prestige for a reason. Use spatulas instead of dipping your fingers into jars, don’t use a brush on your face then dip the unclean brush into other products afterwards, always spray alcohol and wipe the top layer off of cream pan products with a tissue, wipe the top layer off of powder pan products with a dry tissue, wipe any pencils on an alcohol sprayed tissue before and after use, pour loose powders onto a dry tissue, use disposable lip applicators and mascara wands, never dip double dip the disposable applicators. Regardless the makeup look did come out beautiful!”
Another echoed, “[Former] Ulta manager- testers are 100% there so use but please be mindful of using disposable applicators. This is not only a risk to you but others.”
How Unsanitary Was This Ulta Makeup Routine?
Indeed, makeup testers are bacteria-ridden because of the number of people who come in contact with them. As a result, it creates a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, such as Staph Infection, E. coli, yeast, and mold, according to Newsweek.
Emily’s improper beauty routine at Ulta only increases the risk of contracting these infections. Instead, Glam advises exercising alternatives, such as applying the lipstick onto your palm, spraying the powder palette with alcohol spritzers, or requesting new testers. Since none of these are completely fool-proof, try on hundreds of products through the retailer’s virtual makeup tool.
@hotlipssociety I walked into Ulta barefaced and let ChatGPT choose my makeup. Everyday glam was the goal… things escalated ?? Should I let ChatGPT do this again or absolutely not? @??MADEBYMITCHELL?? @Ulta Beauty #U#UltaRunE#EverydayGlam ♬ original sound – Emily | Beauty Picks
The Mary Sue reached out to Emily via email and TikTok comment as well as Ulta via press email.
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