We have all witnessed the importance of safety and sanitation right in front of our eyes during one of the world’s most challenging times, Covid-19. Its evident that viruses, bacteria and microbes can travel in a matter of seconds without even realizing it! As an industry pro with hundreds of clients under my belt, cleaning and disinfecting comes as second nature to me. That is because the safety of my clients is my number one priority. I want to share with you some easy ways to keep a clean, refreshed makeup bag and kiss those germs goodbye, just follow these easy steps below.
Keep track of expiration Dates
All cosmetic products have a shelf life, regardless of what it is. Some products have a shorter span than others but it’s important to note these dates for several reasons. It is always a good idea to write down when you purchase an item because lets get real: who really remembers when they bought something over a month ago? And if you aren’t sure, just check the expiration date on the package! Ive listed a few simple rules to go by:
- Mascara: about three-four months after opening. Typically if you’re using it daily, it probably wont last that long anyway.
- All texture products in powder form such as matte powders and powder foundation-2 years
- Foundation in cream form, concealers, eyeshadows and blush in cream form-1 year
- Cream Lipsticks- 2 years
- Lip gloss- 2 years.
- Face creams and cleansers have different shelf lives, depending on their ingredients but usually last from 3 to 12 or 24 months.
Pro Tip: Sometimes the expiration date can be affected if products are not stored properly or if they’ve been affected by environmental factors. Some of these factors include direct sunlight, temperature changes, or chemical imbalances. Exposing these products can significantly impact a products effectiveness thus causing negative reactions to our skin and health.
Properly clean and sanitize
A quick sweep of alcohol on a damp washcloth will keep your compacts and bottles clean in between uses. Using isopropyl 70 alcohol or higher will eliminate and disinfect any lingering bacteria hanging around your products. Wiping down your foundation pump will keep any build-up from accumulating and prevent your foundation from clogging as well.
Another key tip is to soak your tools such as tweezers, scissors, and eye lash curlers into a bowl with hot water and a few drops of chlorine. This might sound a bit cray but I’m telling you, there is no room for funky bizz here. Infections such as pink eye or sties can remain on your tools and eye products if not properly disinfected or tossed. Steer on the side of caution especially if you’re sharing these tools with others.
Wash your brushes & beauty sponges
I know we can all think of at least one person to share this next IMPORTANT tip with. I fell victim to this many years ago when I first dabbled with makeup, too. The process of washing brushes is the most tedious and time consuming step in disinfecting but I GUARANTEE, it makes the biggest difference in application and overall performance. Let me give you a quick rundown on how to wash these bad boys:
Natural hair brushes
Wash and rinse with a mild soap preferably infused with nourishing oils. Natural brush hairs (much like human hair) are porous and shed more frequently thus require a gentler approach when washing. Rinse them in cold or lukewarm water (avoid hot water temperatures).
Allow brushes to air dry on a flat surface over a towel or head face down, never in an upward position as water can seep into the ferrule resulting in more hair fallout.
Synthetic-hair brushes:
Wash your synthetic brushes in an antibacterial soap for best results. These brushes don’t require that extra gentle touch your natural brushes do, but let’s play nice. Rinse them in lukewarm water and ensure there is no remaining soap on the bristle or ferrule.
Again: Always leave your brushes to dry on a towel; never let them dry vertically. I highly recommend you spray your brushes in between washes or after every use with a brush cleaner such as Cinema Secrets (my fave) or alcohol and stick to a thorough wash once a week.
Pro Tip: Dr. Bronners Peppermint Pure Castile soap is my Go-To brush cleanser as its gentle on the brushes and it’s chemical-free, anti bacterial properties ensure a nice & squeaky clean. If for any reason you’re desperate for a wash, Dawn dish soap also does the trick.
Replace your powder puffs and sponges
Replace your sponges and powder puffs often. They are very accessible and actually don’t cost that much anyway. Disposable sponges are not ideal for reusing as they accumulate bacteria easily, however you will find lots of high quality options at your nearby beauty store. Reusing a powder puff might not seem like a big deal but whens the last time you thought about replacing it? Hmmm. By using these little suckers over and over, they begin to absorb your skins oils trapping in old product and debris allowing for bacteria to grow. This is where blemishes and other skin problems can arise.
Have a washable makeup Bag
Wash your cosmetic bag in a washing machine, if the material and shape allow it. Otherwise clean it with a damp sponge and eliminate all left-over pencil shavings, broken pencils, bits of makeup, etc.
An added step of precaution I recommend is to sharpen your pencil eyeliners or lip liners and give them a quick spray of alcohol every now and then in case any debris might have trapped itself in.
Cleaning your makeup bag and giving it that much needed spring refresh will do wonders to your skin and overall health. Incorporate these quick and easy steps into your routine and your skin will love you. Best part? Its just another excuse to go shopping and discover new makeup products, yay!
Check out my previous post to learn the TOP 10 Ultimate makeup tips for beginners here!
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