Makeup Sanitization & Disinfection

Even if you aren’t a Makeup Artist, you should still practice makeup sanitization and disinfection procedures for your personal makeup.

Clean: Remove all visible dirt and debris
Sanitize: to free from dirt, germs, etc., as by cleaning or sterilizing
Disinfect: to clean (something), especially with a chemical, in order to destroy bacteria.

Bacteria, germs, and contagious diseases can grow and spread anywhere which is why as a professional makeup artist I must clean and disinfect my professional kit daily. That being said, I do not just limit that to my professional kit. I also use these procedures to ensure my personal makeup, brushes, and tools stay free of dirt and germs.

Here are a few things you can do at home to ensure your makeup and tools are sanitized and disinfected:

• If you are like me, your hands are your #1 beauty tool. I use my hands a lot when applying makeup so it is very important that you wash your hands before you touch your face and makeup. You do not want to contaminate any of your products or your face.
• Deep clean your brushes at a minimum of once a month. Foundation and concealer brushes should be cleaned at least once a week to prevent product and bacteria buildup. Deep clean your brushes using soap and water. Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap is my go-to. Also, be sure to spray and wipe all brush handles with alcohol or an EPA registered disinfectant. This is often forgotten but equally important because our hands are the biggest carriers of germs.
• Clean any metal tools, such as spatulas and eyelashes curlers, with warm water and soak and spray with an EPA registered disinfectant. Allow the disinfectant to stay on the tools for 10 minutes before rinsing with water. 70% Alcohol and Barbicide are my disinfectants of choice. I recommend doing this weekly.
• Replace your Beauty Blenders / Beauty Sponges every 3 months. Sponges are porous, which means that they are full of pores and can be easily penetrated. This also means it can be a breeding habitat for germs and other yucky things. Porous materials CAN NOT be sanitized so they must be replaced. Clean sponges with soap and water after every use and allow them to air dry.
• NEVER share any mascaras, creams or liquids, unless its never been used and you use disposable wands or a spatula to depot it.
• Sharpen all pencils and spray with 70% alcohol after every use

As a professional Makeup Artist I have to do these steps and much more daily to ensure my kit is not only clean and sanitized but also disinfected and ready for use for when the next client calls. Never be afraid to ask your makeup artist what makeup sanitization and disinfection procedures they practice. If they cannot answer that question appropriately or are only cleaning and not disinfecting their kits, then I suggest you look for a new Makeup Artist.