Top Tips for Keeping Your Makeup Routine Hygienic!

If this year has taught us anything, it’s that hygiene is super important! We’re not just talking washing your hands, but also keeping your makeup and tools clean too!

Whether you’re doing makeup on yourself or professionally, it’s essential that you keep everything clean and tidy to help reduce the spread of infection and to look after your skin!

Here are our top tips for keeping your makeup routine hygienic!

• Start with a clean canvas – Wash your face and hands before you begin!
• Clean your brushes – We knew it was coming, and it’s something that most of us find boring but it’s essential that you use clean brushes and sponges on your face. You can disinfect your brushes with 70% IPA (Isopropyl alcohol), either spray some onto your brush or dip the bristles into a bowl of it and rub it onto a paper towel, make sure to not get any product into the ferrule (the metal part holding the bristles in place) as this could start to dissolve the glue over time.  70% IPA is the perfect percent to ensure that the alcohol doesn’t evaporate too quickly so that it has enough time to kill the germs on your brushes.
  Makeup sponges can never be fully disinfected so when using them on yourself make sure to wash them in hot soapy water between uses and let them air dry fully.   When having your makeup done professionally, the MUA should always use a brand new sponge and throw it away (or gift it to you) after use as it can not be used on more than one person!
• Pencils can stay clean by simply sharpening them each time, this will cut off the end that’s been in contact with the skin. It’s best to do with just before makeup application instead of after.
• Store your products correctly, in a cool, dry place, correctly sealed, as heat and moisture will reduce their shelf life!
• No double dipping! When you’re having your makeup done professionally, the artist needs to use disposable mascara wands, lip gloss applicators and eyeliner brushes. Most products can be used from metal palette, using a spatula to remove it from its original packaging.  That way then their brush can go between the product and your skin as often as needed.
• Don’t blow on your brushes or your false lashes to dry the glue. Hopefully with the use of face masks now, this won’t be such an issue but tap the excess off your brushes instead, and wait that little bit longer for your falsies to become tacky.
• Check the expiry date! Liquid and cream products go off quicker due to the water content, as well as products that you dip your fingers into (think pots, instead of pump bottles). Powder products, such as eyeshadows can be sprayed with the 70% alcohol to help kill any surface bacteria. Mascara is one of the quickest products to expire, lasting between 3 – 6 months on average.
• And once again, loud and clear for the people at the back – WASH YOUR HANDS! 😉