Makeup Mondays...Clean & Disinfect...

 
You might remember a little post I did on brush selection and uses...if you missed out on it, have a little look-see so you're up to speed.

Cleaning and disinfecting your makeup kit is a rule, not an exception! I've seen far too many dirty and double-dipped makeup kits out there and it is quite disappointing not to mention gross. If you're a professional makeup artist, part of your job is ensuring your tools are clean and your makeup is disinfected, otherwise you're spreading all kinds of germs and bacteria.

Why it's important to clean & disinfect your makeup kit and brushes:

* Build up of makeup, dead skin and dust particles on your brushes can cause breakouts and infections
* Dirty makeup brushes and kits can spread infections from one model to the next
* Cleaning your kit and brushes makes them last longer and work more effectively
* It's professional and hygienic!

I found a lovely follow up article by Kevin James Bennett on how to clean your brushes and here are my tips on keeping your makeup and brushes clean and hygienic:

1. Keep a small bottle (preferably with a spray pump) of Isopropyl (cosmetic) alcohol in your kit at all times. This can be found at most chemists and it has a high alcohol percentage, which disinfects and evaporates, leaving your makeup intact. (The higher the alcohol % the better.) Just be aware that it can dry out your hands, so keep a soothing hand disinfectant in your kit for your hands in between applications.

2. I wash my brushes and disinfect my entire kit after and before every job. If you're just using the brushes on yourself, you can probably go a couple days before the product (and other gross) residue buildup affects the brushes' efficacy. Clean your brushes using a conditioning shampoo or disinfecting dish washing liquid. Be gentle when building up a lather and rinse thoroughly with tepid water...make sure no water seeps into the handle of the brush. I also dip the brushes in cosmetic alcohol after this just to ensure all germs are dead! Let the brushes dry on a flat surface, preferably with the brush head off the edge of the surface (this allows the air to dry from all angles).

3. Condition your brushes every 4-6th time you clean them. I've heard of many people using olive oil but I find that leaves the brushes a little oily. Others use jojoba oil, but I prefer using a very small amount of my own conditioner...just make sure you rinse the brushes thoroughly!

Here's a video showing how to clean your makeup:



There's also the whole discussion of double dipping, using a palette and disposable mascara wands & lip applicators. That will have to be another post for another time.

{editor's note: makeup kit and brushes includes everything from the palettes holding your makeup, makeup bags, brushes, sponges, applicators of any types and your hands!}