Hygiene is the first most basic rule !
The first rule when it comes to working in Makeup is always hygiene. I have seen some horrible habits that made my skin crawl. Personal hygiene can be quiet a sensitive subject, but when it comes to myself and my work I live by “If it’s not good enough to put on my face, then it’s not good enough to put on my clients”
We like to live in a world where we think everyone practices the same hygiene standards we do, but unfortunately it is simply not the case
If you are shopping around for make up artists it is important to know their hygiene! I can run though mine to give you a basic outline of what you are looking for.
1) Hands are the artist’s basic tools
I make sure my nails are a shorter length and clean, one- because I do use my hands on client’s faces (with their permission of course) so they need to be freshly washed. I prefer to wash my hands with soap and water as this is the best way to remove bacteria if there is an opportunity to do so, if not I have to use a hand sanitizer, baby wipes are always great to have on hand too if you get any products on your hands during application and need a quick clean.
2) Clean Brushes
I have never cared for something so delicately before (apart from my skin!) . My brushes get washed and sanitised after EVERY client!! This gets rid of any product build up and keeps them smelling fresh and soft. It also is an extra measure to make sure that no cross contamination or mess-ups with different colours when applying your make up. I have the same brushes since I first started makeup because i take extra care of them and use the right products to wash and sanitise them.
I use Limelife brush cleaner to remove any product and 70% isopropyl alcohol to sanitise. The if a make up artist uses anything over 70 it vaporises to quickly and doesn't kill the bacteria on the brush.
If a make up artist dosn't clean their brushes after every client or only cleans it with a sanitiser spray you will still get product from the last person in the centre of the brush and being applied to your face. Which is a big NO NO
3) I do not double dip!!
Double dipping into products causes cross contamination (causing bacteria from one product to spread another). I always use a Spatula and a mixing palette or disposables. Most of my lipsticks are decanted into palettes, therefore I use a spatula to remove the lipstick and then use a clean lip brush to apply it to the lip direct from the spatula, same goes for cream foundations, concealers, blushers and eyeshadows Make sure if you are shopping around all Spatulas and mixing palettes are also sanitized first, spray with 70 isopropyl alcohol and clean with a tissue.
4) No direct application
Mascaras, lip glosses, concealers or anything with it’s own applicator should never be applied directly to any clients face. For Mascara use disposable mascara wands (No double dipping back into the tube after application, use a new one) .
Lip glosses, cream/gel/liquid liners and concealers decant onto a mixing palette or spatula.
Never use a brush or sponge directly on a foundation bottle either (this will spread bacteria) , always decant foundations onto a mixing palette.
Powders usually don't carry bacteria, but if the product is old they can do, if the brush you are using is clean and the client has no contra-indications then it is OK to use again.
Pencils should be sharpened before each application.
5) Clean brushes between faces
Not only is it to stop spreading bacteria between faces, but i will also get a clean colour pay off with your products for each new application. It’s better to take 5 minutes cleaning and disinfecting my brushes then to have a client call you back to say they have a rash, breakout or cold sore from unsanitary practices.
Because I have been on jobs with many clients to do I carry around enough clean sanitary brushes for 10 clients at a time, if i know i will need more i will hire an assistant to clean them and help in other was to make the booking go smoothly.
6) Contra-indications
A contra-indication is when a client has a pre-existing condition that could be harmful to them as well the hygiene of your products should the makeup artist continue with the application such as;
Cold sores, ANY contagious/infectious diseases, cuts/ abrasions , conjunctivitis/sty's, allergies (skin & products), recent facial treatments (laser, chemical peels), sunburn, eczema etc.
If any of these arise you must check with the make up artist FIRST before going ahead with any application.
This can be hard but you need to as you can spread the infection to many others from their kit if they do not follow hygiene rules. Also because you do not want make up artists to cause any further irritation to what it is.
You need to ask make up artists if the have Public Liability cover to make sure that you are getting a covered treatment. There are so many that do not have it at all and put you at risk,
I may not be able proceed if one of the conditions above is mentioned and will explain the relevant information as to the risks involved and if I continue, that the client is doing so at his/her own risk. I have never had this happen to me before, but I carry a few copies of an agreement that covers me for this. I use DISPOSABLE wands, cotton pads, cotton tips when applying any makeup if you proceed. And i SANITIZE everything after wards – this includes makeup.
7) Cleaning your products
Assuming you have exercised proper hygiene practices your products should be clean and sanitary. However it is always imperative that you keep your products clean (especially creams). It’s important to keep your actual kit clean too, I use 70 IPA to clean out my bags (they are all plastic) as well as my palettes and products, it’s a big task but you will feel so good for it afterwards and clients always appreciate a presentable looking kit.
Cleaning Creams (eye shadows, lipsticks, foundations, concealers, blushers)
Spray them with 70 IPA and clean over with a tissue/cotton bud
Cleaning Powders (eye shadows, face powders, brow powders)
Wipe over with a tissue and if necessary I will use a light spray of 70 IPA
Cleaning Tools ( Tweezers, sharpeners, spatulas, mixing palettes, eye lash curlers)
Spray these with 70 IPA and use a tissue to clean, sharpeners are a bit tricky I soak them really quickly in hot water and some IPA and them dry with a tissue, sharpenings love to get stuck in there so I use cotton buds to clean them out.
Cleaning Pencils
Clean with some IPA and sharpen with your clean sharpener
Cleaning Products
Wipe all other products, cases and palettes with IPA it will ensure they are kept clean and looking sparkling!
We like to live in a world where we think everyone practices the same hygiene standards we do, but unfortunately it is simply not the case
If you are shopping around for make up artists it is important to know their hygiene! I can run though mine to give you a basic outline of what you are looking for.
1) Hands are the artist’s basic tools
I make sure my nails are a shorter length and clean, one- because I do use my hands on client’s faces (with their permission of course) so they need to be freshly washed. I prefer to wash my hands with soap and water as this is the best way to remove bacteria if there is an opportunity to do so, if not I have to use a hand sanitizer, baby wipes are always great to have on hand too if you get any products on your hands during application and need a quick clean.
2) Clean Brushes
I have never cared for something so delicately before (apart from my skin!) . My brushes get washed and sanitised after EVERY client!! This gets rid of any product build up and keeps them smelling fresh and soft. It also is an extra measure to make sure that no cross contamination or mess-ups with different colours when applying your make up. I have the same brushes since I first started makeup because i take extra care of them and use the right products to wash and sanitise them.
I use Limelife brush cleaner to remove any product and 70% isopropyl alcohol to sanitise. The if a make up artist uses anything over 70 it vaporises to quickly and doesn't kill the bacteria on the brush.
If a make up artist dosn't clean their brushes after every client or only cleans it with a sanitiser spray you will still get product from the last person in the centre of the brush and being applied to your face. Which is a big NO NO
3) I do not double dip!!
Double dipping into products causes cross contamination (causing bacteria from one product to spread another). I always use a Spatula and a mixing palette or disposables. Most of my lipsticks are decanted into palettes, therefore I use a spatula to remove the lipstick and then use a clean lip brush to apply it to the lip direct from the spatula, same goes for cream foundations, concealers, blushers and eyeshadows Make sure if you are shopping around all Spatulas and mixing palettes are also sanitized first, spray with 70 isopropyl alcohol and clean with a tissue.
4) No direct application
Mascaras, lip glosses, concealers or anything with it’s own applicator should never be applied directly to any clients face. For Mascara use disposable mascara wands (No double dipping back into the tube after application, use a new one) .
Lip glosses, cream/gel/liquid liners and concealers decant onto a mixing palette or spatula.
Never use a brush or sponge directly on a foundation bottle either (this will spread bacteria) , always decant foundations onto a mixing palette.
Powders usually don't carry bacteria, but if the product is old they can do, if the brush you are using is clean and the client has no contra-indications then it is OK to use again.
Pencils should be sharpened before each application.
5) Clean brushes between faces
Not only is it to stop spreading bacteria between faces, but i will also get a clean colour pay off with your products for each new application. It’s better to take 5 minutes cleaning and disinfecting my brushes then to have a client call you back to say they have a rash, breakout or cold sore from unsanitary practices.
Because I have been on jobs with many clients to do I carry around enough clean sanitary brushes for 10 clients at a time, if i know i will need more i will hire an assistant to clean them and help in other was to make the booking go smoothly.
6) Contra-indications
A contra-indication is when a client has a pre-existing condition that could be harmful to them as well the hygiene of your products should the makeup artist continue with the application such as;
Cold sores, ANY contagious/infectious diseases, cuts/ abrasions , conjunctivitis/sty's, allergies (skin & products), recent facial treatments (laser, chemical peels), sunburn, eczema etc.
If any of these arise you must check with the make up artist FIRST before going ahead with any application.
This can be hard but you need to as you can spread the infection to many others from their kit if they do not follow hygiene rules. Also because you do not want make up artists to cause any further irritation to what it is.
You need to ask make up artists if the have Public Liability cover to make sure that you are getting a covered treatment. There are so many that do not have it at all and put you at risk,
I may not be able proceed if one of the conditions above is mentioned and will explain the relevant information as to the risks involved and if I continue, that the client is doing so at his/her own risk. I have never had this happen to me before, but I carry a few copies of an agreement that covers me for this. I use DISPOSABLE wands, cotton pads, cotton tips when applying any makeup if you proceed. And i SANITIZE everything after wards – this includes makeup.
7) Cleaning your products
Assuming you have exercised proper hygiene practices your products should be clean and sanitary. However it is always imperative that you keep your products clean (especially creams). It’s important to keep your actual kit clean too, I use 70 IPA to clean out my bags (they are all plastic) as well as my palettes and products, it’s a big task but you will feel so good for it afterwards and clients always appreciate a presentable looking kit.
Cleaning Creams (eye shadows, lipsticks, foundations, concealers, blushers)
Spray them with 70 IPA and clean over with a tissue/cotton bud
Cleaning Powders (eye shadows, face powders, brow powders)
Wipe over with a tissue and if necessary I will use a light spray of 70 IPA
Cleaning Tools ( Tweezers, sharpeners, spatulas, mixing palettes, eye lash curlers)
Spray these with 70 IPA and use a tissue to clean, sharpeners are a bit tricky I soak them really quickly in hot water and some IPA and them dry with a tissue, sharpenings love to get stuck in there so I use cotton buds to clean them out.
Cleaning Pencils
Clean with some IPA and sharpen with your clean sharpener
Cleaning Products
Wipe all other products, cases and palettes with IPA it will ensure they are kept clean and looking sparkling!