10 Fundamental makeup hygiene habits

Sanitary Business: 10 Fundamental makeup hygiene habits

Dione Chen

20 May 2016

updated the Friday, May 20, 2016

1/10
Avoid store testers
No matter how tempting it may be to try a colour on your lip, for example, you don't know what type of surfaces tester products have been exposed to, and how many millions of bacteria it might have bred. If you really need to try a product from the store, make sure the product is cleaned and a new brush is used for cosmetics like mascara.
2/10
Wash your hands
Washing your hands before any kind of makeup application is the foundational rule to makeup hygiene. It will do you good to wash your hands with soap or use a hand sanitizer after washing in order to prevent bacteria from being transferred to your face or your client's in the application process.
3/10
Use disposable applicators on clients
There are many different types of disposable applicators available on the market, including mascara wands, eyeshadow applicators and foundation sponges that you should definitely use if your makeup is constantly being used on different people.
4/10
Don’t use expired products
Yes, makeup has an expiry date. Check the bottom of your makeup products and you'll see what we mean. Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it doesn't exist, and these numbers have the potential to make or break your skin. The older the product is, the more susceptible it is to bacteria that will build on the surface of your makeup. The quality of your makeup will also change over time, so when you notice a change in colour, texture or smell, it's probably about time to toss it in the bin.
5/10
Never share your makeup
And by never, we mean never. If you have to share, make sure you clean the products before using them on another person. The amount of bacteria that can be passed on from person to person is enough to cause a serious infection that will make you regret your action immediately.
6/10
Use a makeup palette
Another way to 'share' your makeup is to use a palette. Especially if working with creams or lipsticks, employing the use of a separate makeup palette is the ultimate practice of hygiene that will give your clients a sense of relief. This way, the original product will be kept free of bacteria from the skin and will remain clean for future use.
7/10
Clean your brushes
Brushes should be cleaned after every use, to prevent bacteria buildup and contamination. A cheap and easy method to do this is to spray isopropyl alcohol of more than 90% on your brushes and brush them against a paper towel until all makeup is removed. If you're afraid that alcohol will dry out the bristles of your brushes, you can invest in a more expensive but safer professional brush cleaner that will do the job for you as well.
8/10
Disinfect your products
For compact powders, makeup pencils and lipstick, disinfect your cosmetics with a spritz of alcohol or sanitizer and remove the top layer of the product. This can be done by wiping it off with a piece of tissue or sharpening your makeup pencil.
9/10
Clean your makeup bag
If bacteria can get onto your makeup and applicators, they can very well get into your bag too. And, if you don't clean the inside of your makeup case, germs are able to circulate and contaminate the products you place in your bag that you've been trying to clean so regularly.
10/10
Where are you storing your makeup?
Exposing your cosmetic products to the sun and heat in general is a quick way for bacteria to grow and spread on your makeup. Make sure to store these prized possessions in a cool and dark place in order to extend their shelf life and get the most out of them.

It’s a given that we need to practice sanitation in every part of our lives, which certainly includes our makeup routine as well.

Whether you’re a makeup artist constantly working on your long list of clients, or simply someone who uses makeup on an occasional basis, makeup hygiene should definitely not be overlooked. It is, in fact, equally important to your daily skincare routine, as poor sanitation practices related to makeup can breed a host of germs and bacteria that in turn will cause irritation to your skin.

If you’ve been using that eyeshadow palette for as long as you can remember, or if you never knew you could clean your makeup brushes, these tips are for you. We care about your skin as much as you do. Treat it kindly, and it will reciprocate. For all you know, your complexion might just improve after practising these hygiene habits – and then you’ll know why your skin hasn’t been flawless all this time.

Scroll up top to our gallery for 10 basic yet essential makeup hygiene tips that might make you change the way you use makeup from today.

Dione Chen

Photos: Getty Images

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