You might want to rethink that free makeover at the makeup counter.

Good Morning America went undercover to test the makeup samples at 10 big beauty stores and found that one out of every five samples had mold, yeast, and -- prepare yourself for this one -- even fecal matter.

Excuse me while I lose my lunch.

Related: 13 Gross Ingredients Hidden in Your Beauty Products

The Microbiology lab at New York University Langone Medical Centre says the eyeshadows, lipsticks, and foundations you've been testing before buying are not only caked with poop, but they're also smeared with strains of bacteria that can make you sick.

Probably not too surprising considering that beauty counters, on average, replace their makeup samples once a year.

Related: 12 Things Your Nail Salon Doesn't Want You to Know

The biggest germ dispensers are makeup brushes, foundations, and eye makeup. If you're hell-bent on testing makeup before you buy, always use a disposable

nailsbydesign_Try Bold Patterns
Before you transition to summer's hottest neon polish shades, have a last hoorah with spring pastels. We've rounded up our favorite pastel nail looks from trusty Instagram to get you inspired! Mint has been the color of the season. Follow user nailsbydesign_'s lead by pairing it with a bold pattern to take this color from simple to flirty and fun.














acciojellybeanDo Florals
White has been huge lately, and paired with florals, it's bolder, but still spring appropriate. Make sure to use a nail pen such as Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen ($7, Target.com) to perfect the flowers.



















g0t_k1mGo Studded
Take something as simple as a sky blue and add a little decoration, such as user g0t_k1m's gold studs. Just pick them up at a local craft store, add a little glue and plop them on.




















nailinspirationsAdd A Kiss
Maybe we're a little biased because those lips look just like our logo, but we love nailinspirations' mani that has different designs on each nail. If you have the time, why not go all out?!

See 6 More Instagram

hairLadies, I've got some hair envy. I want luscious locks like the "hair so healthy it shines" models on TV. And if I could afford to spend a small fortune (read: my whole savings account), every product guaranteed to give my hair a healthy glow would be mine. Alas, I live in this little realm called reality and that's not a possibility. Sheesh. Bummer.

More from The Stir: Makeup Store Samples Are Even Grosser Than We Thought

But since I was dead set on having healthy tresses no matter my budget, I started checking out the ingredients on all those pricey products and whaddya know! -- they're your typical kitchen staples: apple cider vinegar, baking soda, olive oil, and eggs. Which can only mean (drum roll please) ... No. Unnecessary. Spending. OH YEAH!

I know you're thinking: Healthy hair at a fraction of the cost? CHEAP? AFFORDABLE? Well yup! Here they are -- the 6 simple kitchen ingredients that will give you the silky, shiny locks you've always dreamed about:

Mayonnaise & Egg Mixture

If you are like me, the thought of using makeup store samples of anything from lipstick to mascara skeeves you out. I have done it, swiping lipstick on my hand (never my lips!) and blending foundation into my forearm. But now I may never do that again.

More from The Stir: Kate Middleton's Secret to Perfect Hair Proves She's a True Princess

According to a report on Good Morning America, cosmetic counters are filled with samples caked with mold and bacteria. Brushes and foundations are the nastiest, natch and experts suggest that you apply makeup to the neck rather than the face. But still. Ew, right?

Personally, I have never liked the idea of communal samples anyway and some of the stores said they keep them for up to a year. Hell, I don't keep my OWN makeup that long. How gross is that?

More from The Stir: 6 Secrets to Shiny, Beautiful Hair You Can Find Right in Your Pantry (PHOTOS)

As for what you can do, experts have a few suggestions. Most obvious is don't

The Weird Gunk in Your Makeup—For Real
Although most ingredients are harmless, some substances in cosmetics do raise an eyebrow or two. Like formaldehyde, for example. Recently, California's Department of Toxic Substances Control found that even nail polishes that claimed to be free of the "toxic three"-formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, and toluene-contained the substances. (For the record, most major polish manufacturers have come out and said that surely their polishes were fine and they never lied. Ahem.)

But harmful carcinogens and unidentifiable chemicals aside, there's still weird stuff lurking in cosmetics. Stuff that's not necessarily toxic, but definitely strange. Stuff like this:


Crushed-Up Bugs
Carmine is a natural red dye. Natural equals good, right? Well good in the sense that's been around for a long, long time, but bad in the sense that it's made from crushed beetle shells. Yes, carmine (sometimes called crimson lake or cochineal) is derived from the crushed exoskeletons of tiny female beetles. Some people

Eyeliners -- ah, a tricky thing.Have you noticed the enormous amount of eyeliner options these days? I mean, I really appreciate such a robust product selection, but COME ON, we don't have all day to experiment with this stuff. We're busy women. Applying black winged eyeliner was not on my to-do list this morning. (OR WAS IT?) Let's break it down, shall we? Here are the 6 most commonly used eyeliners with some of my favorite YouTube tutorials demonstrating the best way to apply each type. Check them out below!








Related: 25 beauty tricks that will save you time in the morning






Pencil EyelinerPencil Eyeliner
The easiest product to use, in my opinion. Just run it across the base of your lashes, and you're good to go.
Find the tutorial here