Ulta Accused of Selling Used Makeup
Is that eyeshadow palette you’re buying at Ulta brand new? Maybe not! Ulta has been accused of selling used makeup this week by a former employee on Twitter who claims her managers instructed her to resell returned makeup and to put it back on the show. Allegedly they even instructed employees how to clean used makeup with alcohol, allow it to dry overnight, and proceed to repackage it and pop it back on the shelf.
The employer, known as Fatinamxo on Twitter, said, “They even taught us how to clean eyeshadow palettes and let it dry over night so it can be repackaged and sold the next day,”� “Managers would get pissed if they saw items in the damage bin that looked resell-able.”�
She also reached out to Ulta corporate about the situation and was told the following, “I contacted corporate and I was surprised to hear her say “well when it comes to mascaras we definitely want to be hygienic ” I immediately cut her off and said what about lipsticks? And foundation? They are reselling everything that they can clean up and make “new”� again.”
Wait, hold up, let’s go back to, “well when it comes to mascaras we definitely want to be hygienic”. Are you telling me that someone at corporate sort of confirmed they do resell mascaras?! It certainly sounds that way.
Ulta has since tweeted a reply about looking into these allegations but it’s still rather concerning that they might be reselling returned/used makeup. No one wants an eye infection or something worst like herpes.
I know that when I hit up the drugstore people tend to open packages right in front of me and start happily swatching away. I’ve even seen employees see them doing it and not say a word about it. Typically I’m super careful to make sure everything is sealed before I buy it.
I’ve run across maybe on or two items at Sephora that I stupidly didn’t check which were used. I don’t think they put those items back from a return pile it was likely someone that that doesn’t care about the tester right in front of them and decided to just open up a new one and start swatching it without a care about anyone else.
Ulta I haven’t had that experience but really, if they are making it look all new and shiny like the images this employee posted I’d likely never notice which is downright scary.
I’m sure there are many of you that work in the beauty industry at counters or stores like Ulta that can share some insight about this being a false accusation or entirely true. I’d be interested to hear your stories.
Do you think your favorite makeup and beauty stores are guilty of returning used makeup to the shelves?