Makeup Sanitary Practices
Its difficult enough to find the right makeup artist for your special occasion. When you finally pick one you seem to jive with, the last thing you want to do is grill them about their training and experience. As I have mentioned before DO IT!! Make sure the price you're paying is warranted also make sure you're happy with the answers. There is something else that is often overlooked...please, please PLEASE do not forget to ask the makeup artist about their sanitary practices. Sanitary practices by your makeup artist ensure that the gross stuff (bacteria like pink eye) is not passed on.
Having been a makeup artist in the beauty industry for over 19 years I have definitely seen some cringeworthy sanitary practices by other artists. Here are some Best Sanitary practices to ask about and look for during your makeup application.
1. Alcohol- your Makeup artist should have a clearly labelled bottle of Alcohol in their kit. All lipsticks, pencils, eyelash curlers, palettes (for mixing foundation) mascara guards etc should be wiped with Alcohol and left to dry prior to use.
*I even put Alcohol on the lip brush after brush cleanser. Not the best for brush fibers but ensures the lip area of my next client is protected
2. Disposable wands- Used for mascara and liquid liner (if dipping into the tube) A "pen" eyeliner should never be used on more than one client. If your makeup artist dips back into the container of mascara or liquid liner with a previously used disposable wand, even if it was used on you...please stop them. Think about how many other clients that product may have been double dipped on.
3. As creatives we often used eyeshadow as liner, which is great! However, IF your makeup artist wets their brush (usually water or setting spray) dips in a powder formula, applies it to your eye and then goes to re-dip...this is double dipping. Instead the makeup artist should scrape a small amount of colour off of the dry product on to a palette and mix with liquid there.
4. Powder products - wipe with a tissue. It's best not to introduce any moisture however you can spray Alcohol from a height over your powder palettes to be extra safe.
5. Hand sanitizer- your makeup artist should wash their hands and use hand sanitizer between clients
6. Brushes- All brushes should be washed after a client(s) makeup session. I use dish soap. Again not the best for brush fibers but my aim is to be sanitary. I find the grease fighting ingredients really break down excess product and oil. I can buy new brushes, I cannot regain my clients trust if lost. Brush cleaner should be used while on location. My favourite is Cinema Secrets because it cleans and sanitizes.
7. A separate container for dirty brushes- If the Makeup Artist is putting dirty brushes back in the same container they carry clean brushes in, the container could be contaminated. There should always be a separate container to house dirty brushes until its time for them to be cleaned.
8. Blowing on product- An artist SHOULD NEVER blow on brushes to remove excess product. This also includes blowing on lashes to dry glue...
Please look for these Makeup Sanitary Practices and speak up if you see something that makes you question your makeup artists method of cleaning product. Remember, safety first :)
Xo Denee.