While aestheticians are traditionally up on sanitation standards in the treatment room, many may not pay attention to keeping their makeup kits bacteria- and virus-free. A sanitary kit and application is paramount to coming across as a respected, professional makeup artist.

Remember that what looks clean can still be unsanitary. Never work off the back of the hand. Washing one’s hands does not fully disinfect them and working from the back of the hand can pack dead skin cells or bacteria onto the client’s face. There is also a chance that makeup will get on the professional or client’s clothes. Get a wrist palette or wrap plastic around the palm and secure it with tape. This way, body heat can still warm cream foundations.

Never double dip. Once the brush or applicator touches the client’s face, it can never go back into the original container. Do not double dip into powders unless combined with a powder sanitizing spray. If not, scrape the amount of powder needed onto a clean palette or paper towel and work from that
until finished.

Always use disposable wands for mascara, lip gloss, or lipsticks and do not let those applicators touch the original product once it touches the client’s face. Get another disposable or scrape out more product onto the palette if you need more.

Never blow on the brush to remove excess product. Tap it on a paper towel so the powder does not go onto the client’s clothing or face. This is especially true for glitter or shimmer products.

Never blow on eyelash glue to dry it quicker. Instead, wave the eyelash strip back and forth to speed up drying. Otherwise, spit and germs can potentially end up on the eyelash strip.

When sharpening a pencil, spray the sharpener and pencil with 70 percent alcohol, sharpen, and spray again to dry. Always keep the sharpener sanitized.

After every job, wash brushes in water and brush cleaner or gentle shampoo. Work out the color, squeeze excess water, and lay flat to dry in the desired shape. Then, spray the brush with brush sanitizer or 70 percent alcohol to dry. A higher percentage of alcohol evaporates too quickly to sanitize, so 70 percent is the standard.

Through implementing these simple sanitation steps and being thorough and careful while applying makeup, professionals can maintain a high standard of cleanliness that will impress clients and avoid the spreading of germs.