After reading about the Sephora Testers with other people "touching and using the make-up" and hearing all of your comments I would like your thoughts on a situation that happened to me:
My very favorite cousin came to stay with me a couple weeks back when she had a wedding to attend in NYC, I was so excited that we were finally going to spend time together! She and I speak daily but unfortunately because of distance do not see each other often. We grew up around the corner from each other and are more like sisters. As she began to unpack her suitcase much to her dismay she realized that she had forgotten her toiletries/make-up case. At which point she casually stated "no biggie, I can use your stuff". I cringed hearing this. I am a very giving and tend to "share" almost anything (my clothes, my food, even my shoes with certain friends) .... EXCEPT for my make-up! I had no problem with her using my shower products (bath gel, shampoo, etc) but MY MAKE-UP??? I didn't make a big deal, but DID suggest that "we could replace her make-up with temporary drug-store products". (I had this same thing happen to me once when traveling and that is exactly what I did). She insisted "that wasn't necessary and that she likes my make-up, it will be fun to use it". She clearly wasn't getting my vibe and was not taking my suggestion. I let it go until we were walking past the corner drug store (which is huge and has tons of really great products), I could have also taken her anywhere; Sephora, Barneys, Bloomies etc but figured that for temporary replacements the DS was fine. Again, she rebuffed my comment but also asked "Do I have a problem with her using my m/u" and that she "doesn't have cooties". I could tell instantly that she was annoyed and not wanting to ruin the visit or more than that, jeopardize our relationship I answered, "no, that I didn't have a problem". I thought to myself, the worst that will happen is I could spray some some of my products with alcohol (brushes, powder, blush) and the rest I would just throw out and replace after she left. I did not want to start WW3 over this! I was envisioning a full blown family feud. So, I let her use everything during her visit all the while "schveeing" as I watched her use my mascara, shadows, eye-liner AND lipsticks! I personally would have gone "bare-faced" as opposed to using someone else's personal m/u. I am not even a real germaphobe. Coming from and living in NYC, G-d knows what we come in contact with daily so I go about my day not obsessing over cleanliness but at the same time trying to be vigilant and careful to remain germ free as possible in the "real world". Yes, I do admit to throwing away my toothbrush after my beloved husband told me that he "used mine by mistake"!!! (hee hee) but for the most part I am "normal", I embrace human contact, don't cringe at shaking hands, give hugs and "air kisses" and use public bathrooms!!!! (I do have my favs though throughout the city!).
The end is, she used my m/u, she was happy, our wonderful relationship goes on unscathed, a large part of my m/u stash is now in the trash and I will be replacing some of my products this w/e. I know that's the moral here, "things" (such as m/u) are replaceable but sometimes relationships are not.
I do wonder and ask all of you here, did I do the "right thing" or should I have stood my ground and been honest with my cousin? I wonder if taking the "path of least resistance" is always the best way and does this come under the heading of "pick your battles"? I will get past this, but for now I'm just a bit annoyed at myself for "caving in".
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and answers.
Blogs & Forums
Forums
Blogs
