Makeup Artistry & Sanitation: How To Practice Good Sanitation While On The Job

Makeup sanitation is the hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with infection while doing makeup.

Being a makeup artist is fun but is also a big responsibility. One careless action could cause injury or infection. Transferring disease-causing bacteria is very easy to do if you’re not taking precautions.

Depending on which sate you live in your sanitation rules and laws might be different but you should always practice good sanitation. Our goal is to do great, professional, artistic work on individuals and large groups while keeping the clients safety in mind.

What Are We Keeping Our Clients Safe From?

 Bacteria

The bad ones are called pathogenic bacteria and they can cause disease or infection in humans when they invade the body. These little guys can cause abscesses, pustules, boils, staph infections, strep throat, blood poisoning, pneumonia, tetanus, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, syphilis, lyme disease and this is just the start of the list.

Viruses

Viruses cause common colds and other respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Other viruses include measles, mumps, chicken pox, smallpox, yellow fever, hepatitis, polio, influenza and HIV.

Fungi

Microscopic plant parasites that include molds, mildews and yeasts. They can product contagious diseases such as ringworm and folliculitis.

Parasites

Organisms that grow feed and shelter on or in another organism. Some examples are lice and scabies.

Cleaning

Cleaning is the process of using soap and water or detergent and water to remove all visible dirt, debris and many disease causing germs from tools and equipment. The vast majority of contaminants and pathogens can be removed from the surfaces of tools and brushes through proper cleaning. 

Disinfecting

Disinfecting destroys harmful organisms. Propertly disinfecting consists of using an EPA registered disinfectant. An EPA registered disinfectant is a product that has been registered by the Environmental Protection Agancey (EPA) to be sold and used as a disinfectant in the United States. These disinfectants are bactericidal, capable of destroying bacteria; virucidal, capable of destroying viruses: and fungicidal, capable of destroying fungi. A common disinfectant is Barbicide.

I often read online or see makeup artists using household products such as bleach, alcohol and antibacterial wipes. These products do not meet FDA standards when it comes to proper disinfection because they do not cover a wide enough range. It would be kind of like hoping for the best.

I use Barbicide Plus which is Tuberculocidal, pseudomonacidal, germicidal, fungicidal and virucidal. I know it covers the widest range and so in the field, my clients are as protected as possible.

Decontamination

Decontamination is the process of cleaning with soap and water to remove all visible dirt and debris and then disinfecting with an appropriate EPA-registered disinfectant. This method meets infection control standards in most states.

This method is what I use on a regular basis to keep my clients safe and it can be easily done if you have the proper products. Do always remember though that a tool or brush must be clean before it can be properly disinfected. Using a disinfectant without cleaning first is like using mouthwash witout brushing your teeth - it just does not work properly.

To Do or Not To Do

There are certain more common contagious diseases that you may come across when doing makeup and you need to make the decision as to whether you are going to do the service at all. Clients that have signs or symptoms of ringworm, conjunctivitis (pinkeye) or herpes simplex-1 (cold sores) present a danger to you, other clients on the job and themselves. These contagious diseases can be spread very easily to not only others but they can be spread to other uninfected parts of their face. It is your responsibility and right to refuse to do a service if you are in doubt.

Your Kit While Not At Work

While not at work, you can pretty much set your kit anywhere out of the way. Just make sure that wherever it is that it is closed. Opening your kit to grab something out of there and leaving it open leaves it vulnerable to contamination, dust and other particles in the air. 75%-90% of the dust in your home is actually dead skin cells. Ick!

Products You Need For Good Sanitation

Beauty SoClean Brush Cleanser-This is a chemical free, gentle, conditioning brush cleanser. It will quickly dissolve all makeup residu and will leave your brushes feeling soft and they’ll be dry in seconds. Just spray the brushes and use a paper towel to wipe clean. You can purchase this at Beauty SoClean. It is $20.

EPA Registered Disinfectant Wipes – This is tuberculocidal, virucidal, bactericidal and fungicidal. Regular antibacterial wipes will not kill everything. I usually get the Barbicide Wipes. You can find them at Universal, Sally’s or Amazon. 160ct for $13.75. The container will be too big for your kit so just pack them in a zip lock bag or container that’s air tight.

EPA Registered Disinfectant Spray Plus- This is Tuberculocidal, pseudomonacidal, germicidal, fungicidal and virucidal. I usually get the Barbicide Plus. You can find it at Universal, Sally’s or Amazon. 16oz for $26.75.

This will last you forever because you mix 1oz to a gallon of water. So you should get about 64 quarts. I just put it in a small spray bottle in my kit. Make sure to label it. This could be very harmful if someone used it for something other than its recommended use.

Beauty SoClean Cosmetic Sanitizer Mist – This is the only product that I’ve ever heard of that removes bacteria and germs on powder-based products: eye shadows, blush, pressed powder, bronzers, cream-based products, compact foundation, concealers, cream blush/eye shadows. It will disinfect but it will not dry out or degrade your products. You can purchase at Beauty SoClean. $20

On The Job

Always make sure to arrive with clean brushes and the products and supplies inside your kit should be clean. 

I go through my kit about twice a month and wipe everything down with a hospital grade disinfecting wipe. I also wipe out each compartment. This will also keep your items looking clean because makeup powder tends to cling to everything.

Wash Your Hands

Wash your hands with soap and water before each client. The proper cleaning of hands requires rubbing hands together and using liquid soap, warm running water for at least 30 seconds and drying with a clean towel.

During The Makeup Application

During the makeup application, you need to be aware of certain things. First, do not touch your face or hair. This can cause bacteria transfer from you to your client. I recommend putting your hair up so you’re not tempted to brush your hair out of your face.

Once you’ve touched your client with your hands, consider that anything you touch from then on needs to be cleaned and disinfected so DO NOT put it back in your kit or your brush belt/brush roll. Leave it out. Also, keeping the same thing in mind, don’t contaminate your kit. Using an antiseptic or hand sanitizer will drastically lower the number of pathogens on your hands. Keep one with you and set it out before you start each job. If you need to reach into your kit, quickly use the sanitizer and then reach into your kit. Grab anything that you might need or think you might need soon.

Sanitary Application Practices

Moisturizers or primers: Pump onto a mixing palette and then apply using a brush.

Foundations: Always use a mixing palette to mix foundation. Never use your hands. Not only could you transfer bacteria but we lose a million skin cells every 40 minutes. Those skin cells will mix in with the product and end up on your client’s skin. Pump the foundation onto your palette. Apply using a brush.

Concealers: Liquid concealers need to be put on a mixing palette and then applied using a brush. Potted concealers can be applied using a brush.

Powders: Dump some of the powder on your mixing palette. Apply using a brush.

Eye Primers: Put the product on a mixing palette and apply using a brush.

Glitters or Pigments: Put a small amount on your mixing palette and apply using a brush.

Liquid Eye Liners: These need to be put on a palette and a brush must be used to apply it.

Lash Adhesive: Put a small amount on your mixing palette. You can either carefully dip the band into the lashes or you can use a pointed Qtip to apply it directly to the lashes.

Mascara: Always use disposable mascara wands. They’re tricky to use but you’ll get the hang of it. If you find that the mascara application is not close enough to the base of the lashes, put some of the mascara on your mixing palette and then apply it using a cake eyeliner brush or mini fan brush (MUD has a perfect mini fan brush for this).

Lipstick: You can disinfect pots of lipsticks but I find it’s easier to use a spatula and then use your brush to get it off the spatula and apply it using a brush. A tube of lipstick should always be put on a palette using a spatula and then apply it using a brush.

Lip Gloss: Put product on mixing palette and apply using a brush.

Tip: Never blow on your brush or your makeup while working on the job. Saliva is bacteria filled and particles of your saliva will transfer to your brushes or makeup.

Between Client Sanitation

When you’re done working with the client, you need to clean/disinfect everything that you’ve taken out of your kit.

Brushes: Clean your brushes using your Beauty SoClean Conditioning Brush Cleanser and a paper towel. Just spray the brush cleanser on the brush and swipe the brush over a paper towel.

Next, take a Barbacide wipe and wipe the handles. Spray with Barbicide spray from about 6” away. Put the brushes back in your brush belt/brush roll.

Beauty SoClean Cosmetic Sanitizer Mist: Spray from about 6” away directly onto products you used but leave outside your kit for now. Spray eye shadow’s/eye shadow palettes, any pressed powders, cream foundations, brow pot, cream eye shadow, primer in a pot, gel eyeliner, eye shadow base in a pot, concealer in a pot, powder blush, cream blush, powdered bronzer, cream bronzer, powdered highlighter, cream highlighter and lip color in a pot. You can use this on any powder or cream cosmetic. For pencils, sharpen the pencil and then spray the end with the spray.

Barbicide Wipes: Use your Barbicide wipes to wipe down the outside of each product and put back in your kit.

Now you’re ready for your next client. Once you get this down, it’ll take you about 4-5 minutes.

Cleaning Up After a Job

If you have time after a job, clean up just as you would after each client. You’ll be able to tell whether you have time to do this by your schedule and whether people are getting ready to go.

Fast Sanitation at The End Of Each Job

Sometimes at the end of a job you may be in a rush. Usually, it doesn’t matter whether you’ve stuck to your schedule or not. When you’re done, everyone else is done and ready to go. When you’re at a wedding, the bride will be putting on her dress and everyone will want to leave for photos. No one’s going to want to hang around while you clean up.

I usually have about 3-5 brush rolls with me at each job but many people might not have that option, especially if you’re just starting out and haven’t invested much. I also carry a gallon size zip lock back in the bottom of my kit and 4-5 clear plastic zipper bags.

I use one brush roll on each client. Whatever brushes I use I put in my clear plastic zipper bags to clean when I get home. After clean-up between clients, I grab a new brush roll.

If this is not an option for you, just carry a couple gallon size zip lock bags for a super-fast, sanitary cleanup.

It’s pretty simple. These are your dirty bags. Everything that you’ve taken out of your kit is considered dirty. Put these items, including your brushes in the gallon bags. Close up your kit and you’re ready to go. The items are sealed up in these bags so they can’t contaminate your kit.

Thorough Brush Cleaning After Each Job

After each job you’ll want to give your brushes a thorough cleaning at home. Clean your brushes with warm water and a clarifying shampoo. Cleaning with a regular soap or shampoo can sometimes still leave your brushes stained a bit. Using a clarifying shampoo will get the color completely out of your brushes.

This is optional but I like to use a conditioner on my natural hair brushes. This leaves them super soft and smelling great.

When you are done washing your brushes you need to properly dry them. The best way is for them to be hanging downward. If they are sitting with brush side up, the water will settle into the brush head and can break down the glue. If they’re lying sideways, you’ve still got a bit of water sitting in the brush head.

There are brush dryers that you can buy but they’re a little spendy, especially since makeup artists would probably need more than one. They are definitely worth investing in since your brushes represent the heart of your livelihood but you can decide.

I think the neatest design of these is The Sigma Dry N’Shape $32. This is kind of cool because you could actually use it as a brush book but then you fold it the opposite way to set it up for dry time.

The alternative is the Benjabelle Brush Tree $34.95. They have brush trees that hold anywhere from 14 to 26 brushes.

Otherwise, I watched a video by Eleesa Jade quite a while ago that featured a really great DIY brush dryer.  It’s the same theory but not as cute. View the video HERE.

I really hope this blog was helpful. I know that some artists are not as concerned about sanitation but my background is in Esthetics (skin). During my schooling, we focused quite a bit on skin conditions, diseases, bacteria, viruses, fungi and other very nasty topics. We did this because we were learning to do treatments on the entire body. All of these treatments are done without using gloves except bikini waxing. Touch is the main source of infection and so our training had a strong focus on sanitation. The training I received on sanitation opened my eyes to what clean really is and how truly clean can be accomplished in just a couple steps.

The truth is, some makeup artists have very poor sanitation practices. Most artists have good sanitation practices and a few, and not enough, have great sanitation practices. It does take extra time but in the end it is worth keeping your clients and yourself safe from exposure to bacteria and viruses that can cause infection. I call this peace of mind. 

I will be doing a video on this soon that will show exactly how this is done. Hope to post it soon:)

Infection Statistics (Barbicide Plus Kills Everything on This List)

HIV – 1.1 million people infected in the U.S. (1 out of 6 are unaware they have it)

Hepatitis B – 2 billion people Infected in the U.S.

Hepatitis C – 3.9 million people infected in the U.S.

Staphylococcus Deaths – About 11,000 deaths each year in the U.S.

MRSA (A form of Staph that is resistant to penicillin) – 80,000 people infected 10,000 deaths each year in the U.S.

Herpes Simplex 1 – 1 out of 4 people in the U.S.

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis – One third of the world infected. 1.3 million deaths per year.

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