Shared makeup rooms offer convenience but raise hygiene concerns

The cooling of China’s sharing economy hasn’t stopped entrepreneurs from turning their hand at a new type of sharing service: shared makeup rooms.

Chutian Metropolis Daily reported that one of these rooms recently opened at a shopping mall in Wuhan. The pink-colored walk-in beauty box offers a private space with a dressing table and chair, mirrors, and a makeup case. The case contains cosmetics such as moisturizer, powders, eyeshadows, and lipsticks from world-famous brands including Dior, Lancôme, and Estee Lauder. They also include applicator tools like brushes. The makeup sets are worth an estimated 4,000 yuan (585 U.S. dollars).

To use the service, customers scan a QR-code, register, and then pick the length of time that they would like to book the room. The price ranges from 28 yuan (4 U.S. dollars) for 15 minutes, to 58 yuan (8.5 U.S. dollars) for 45 minutes.

Although they offer a more convenient and private place to do makeup than a public toilet at a shopping mall, the sharing of makeup products such as lipsticks and eye products has raised concerns about hygiene. For example, cold sore viruses could be transmitted through shared lipstick, and eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara applicators could spread viruses and bacteria that cause eye infections.

Along with the 10 or so makeup rooms found in shopping malls in Wuhan, they have also been spotted in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing, and Hangzhou.