If the news that Sephora was being sued after a woman allegedly contracted herpes from a lipstick tester turned your world upside down, we don't blame you. Questions over whether makeup testers are actually safe to use defeat the whole purpose of a makeup tester, no?

Actually, it's surprising we don't hear about the risks of using makeup testers more, according to the experts. "Never ever trust that in-store makeup testers have been cleaned," Susie Sobol, a professional makeup artist (whose work has appeared in publications including Allure and Vogue), tells Allure. "Even if you're the first customer to arrive in the morning, shortness of staff or an extremely busy store may cause a delay in sanitizing testers." On top of that, even if you're anal about using those disposable wands and spoolies to try products, that doesn't mean the people who've tried it before you are.

The reality is, makeup testers can be breeding grounds for bacteria, cosmetic chemist Ginger King tells Allure. "Most commonly seen is e. coli from people who do not wash their hands after using the bathroom," she says. Cue a collective shudder.

The best thing you can do is arm yourself with the knowledge that bacteria is everywhere, Joanna Schlip, professional makeup artist and beauty author, tells Allure. "Assume that testers are not clean. Then approach it from that point," she says.

So does this mean you can't try that new shade of Fenty Mattemoiselle lipstick on your next trip to Sephora? Not exactly. We asked the pros for the golden rules of using makeup testers without risking a nasty infection.

1. Some products are safer to try than others.