The global pandemic has brought about much personal care and lifestyle changes in our individual lives. With the alarming rise in daily cases, people are still trying to figure out how to keep themselves and their surroundings as safe and virus-free as possible. While washing your hands for 20 seconds, wearing a mask and sanitising store brought products is a must to minimise the risk of contracting this deadly virus, it’s also a good time to sanitise your existing makeup products (if you don’t already) to keep them germ-free.
According to celebrity makeup artist Anu Kaushik (@kaushikanu), “Hygiene and sanitization should be the utmost priority — global pandemic or not. Skin is always prone to infection by unhygienic ways of using makeup. So safe practice in beauty is a must not only for professional makeup but personal use also.” Furthermore, she stated that regular cleaning of makeup tools and sanitizing makeup products on a day to day basis will not only keep your skin safe but will also prevent the growth of bacteria in your beloved (and pricey) makeup products.
- Is your makeup really dirty or is it just a myth?
- The best way to sanitise your makeup staples
- How to sanitise tricky makeup essentials
- Anu Kaushik shares important makeup sanitisation tips for makeup artists
Is your makeup really dirty or is it just a myth?
It is high time we stop being lazy when it comes to makeup hygiene. Busting the misconception that you can do without sanitising, Anu revealed, “Once a makeup product gets contaminated, bacteria can multiply. If it comes in contact with your skin it can cause allergies or rashes.”Yikes!
The best way to sanitise your makeup staples
Anu recommends spraying a makeup sanitizer or 70% IPA (Isopropyl alcohol ) over all products your cream and powder products in between every use. Simply spray from a distance of 6 to 10 inches over your products and tool and wait for 2-3 minutes for it dry down before you close the lids. She revealed that contact time is important in disinfection. “Products with higher alcohol content (99%) are not helpful as they evaporate easily and don’t have enough contact time on the product; hence, 70% is your best bet,” she explains.
For your palettes, she suggests gently scrubbing off the top layer of makeup products once in a while. When it comes to using cream-based products, she suggests not touching it with your hand.“Moisture in cream-based products are more prone to contamination; therefore, I suggest scraping the top layer of the product on a spatula or makeup tray and then use it,” she says.
As for the brushes, “Many brands have brush cleansers which should be used to clean brushes immediately after use. Or, wash brushes in mild shampoo and dry on a flat surface. Makeup sponges are to be used for personal use only and thoroughly clean, wash and dry,” she elaborates.
How to sanitise tricky makeup essentials
According to Anu, lip and eye pencils/crayons are the trickiest to clean. “It’s important to sharpen and disinfect them after every use. Even the sharpener should be disinfected by IPA. Also, retractable pencils or felt tip and makeup sponges should be only for personal use and should not be shared as they cannot be 100% disinfected,” she explains.
Anu Kaushik shares important makeup sanitisation tips for makeup artists
Apart from sanitising your makeup regularly, Anu recommended some tips for other makeup artists as well:
- Professional makeup artists need one-time kit essential like disposable spoolies, wands, sponges and puffs, along with makeup sanitizer, brush cleanser, hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes.
- Their makeup kit needs to be cleaned and disinfected each time before packing - including the suitcase, makeup pouches, containers, bottles etc.
- Table & chair should be sanitised and clean disposable towel to be placed before placing makeup contents.
- Wear disposable masks and aprons before starting. Wash your hands and use a sanitiser before starting and in between every step.
- Use a stainless steel tray and spatula and sanitise them before and in between every application.
- Use a spatula to take out any cream products from containers or tubes.
- Use minimal makeup brushes like just applicators and buffing brushes for foundation and concealer. Keep them in a separate container after use and clean/disinfect immediately after completing the clients’ makeup. Use a fresh disposal sponge for powder application.
- Use a disposable mascara brush for application of mascara- don’t use the pre-existing applicator, ideally, cut it off and do not double-dip. This applied to liquid lipsticks, concealers etc as well.
- Use eyeliner pots and avoid felt tip liquid liners; disposable brushes and refraining from double-dipping is key.
- Airbrush makeup can be used for a safe and contactless base.
Written by Sumona Bose on Jul 07, 2020
Sumona Bose is a writer, skincare junkie and a self-professed makeup connoisseur. Equipped with a Master's degree in Fashion Management and over 3 years of experience writing in the beauty and fashion space, her passion for learning new things has no bounds. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. From trending skincare ingredients to makeup looks that help you slay, she manages to bring something new (and vital!) to our readers every single time. Her hobbies include home workouts, watching foreign films and binge-watching makeover shows!