Photo by Clare Park©
During my career as a makeup artist I have always followed a strict regime of hygiene and cleanliness. It is our responsibility as professionals to keep all our equipment at optimum levels of cleanliness.
During lockdown I completed online safety certifications and will constantly further my education surrounding sanitisation in an on-going pandemic world. This of course, is in addition to current government, professional and union regulations and protocols.
I use Isopropyl Alcohol IPA 70%, Barbicide, and clinical grade anti-bacterial wipes for cleaning. All lipsticks in tubes or any cream stick makeup are sprayed with 70% alcohol then tissue wiped before scooping out onto a palette with a sanitary spatula. Pencils are sharpened and also sprayed. Brush handles are wiped with anti-bacterial wipes before being deep cleaned.
Cream foundation, lipsticks and blushers are a breeding ground for bacteria due to their dark, warm and moist atmospheres. One finger dipped in a concealer palette or one double dip renders the entire palette contaminated and must be thrown away. I never dip a brush directly into cream makeup then re-dip. Proper sanitation requires scooping out with a clean spatula then applying to a palette. Spatulas are stainless steel, sprayed with alcohol then wiped down between each colour.
Most important is thorough and frequent hand washing, and use of anti bacterial gels, together with targeted hygiene whilst working in photographic studios and on film sets.
Re-setting old methodologies with a new vigilance is the key to working together safely.