I've gone to cosmetic counters in finer stores and including Merle Norman have had nothing but extreme sanitary conditions. Each and every one of them displayed the samples you were going to try along with the applicators (if necessary) to apply them that were taken out of New packages, etc. in front of me. I would not have tried any samples in an unsanitary condition. There was never ANY pressure to make any purchases. They were also willing to send some samples with applicators home with me to try in a different light. They would also write the information on a card to have so if you decided later you would want to make a purchase they would have the informations of the color match they had at the time and also would be willing to change whatever you didn't like. I was shown everything from skincare, makeup, and nails.
If you check
www.cosmeticscop.com you can find other information that more expensive cosmetics aren't always the best. It is a very informative site and I saw this lady on television then went to her site.
I would say from experience that the cheaper brands look as good as the more expensive brands.