As a makeup artist, I am concerned about keeping myself and customers safe while offering my service under the safest and most hygiene sanitary conditions especially with the coronavirus outbreak. I personally know so many women who will be bummed that they might be unable to get their makeup fix during this epidemic, the worst part is, they might carry that fear with them long after the pandemic is gone. I have compiled a list of things to look out for to give you some peace of mind when you decide to get your face professionally done during or after the lockdown is lifted.

Brace yourself, folks, we are delving into some real OCD moves…while some of these tips may seem extreme, these coronavirus makeup tips will help keep yourself and client safe. I broke it down into four parts; workspace, products, tools, and personal hygiene. 

Workspace
Do’s

1.     Wipe down all surfaces from the seat to the armrest, headrest (if any), tables, the surface where products will be placed, and every other place you are likely to touch during the application. 

2.     Use disinfectant wipes

3.     Place a barrier (paper towel) between the surface where you would be placing the products and tools to reduce the risk of contamination

Products
These pretty much consist of anything you apply topically to the face. They are skin, eyes, and lips products

Do

1.     Spray a cosmetic sanitizer mist on compact products i.e. eye shadows, compact powders, blush, concealer, and foundation palettes, stick foundations etc. This will help kill bacteria yet retain the integrity of your products without drying it up as alcohol will over time. BeautySoclean comes highly recommended.

2.     Use a wedge when applying a dry product from a container i.e. compact powder. Once you place one side of the wedge in the pan do not put it back in, turn to the opposite side to use. Toss after

3.     Use your spatula to scoop lip glosses, lipstick, concealer, and the likes to your mixing tray. Wipe down your spatula and tray when you move from one product to the other to avoid cross-contamination.

4.     Use your tray/plate to mix all your products

5.     Sharpen your pencils before every use and spay some alcohol before using it on a customer. Follow this routine every time you have to use any kind of pencil.

Do not

1.     Use your fingers to apply products to the face i.e. primer, cream concealer or lipsticks

2.     Use your hands to scoop or extract makeup products 

3.     Apply products directly from the original packaging to the face especially with tube products, stick foundations, loose powders and the likes. Squirt, use a wedge or take out the portions you need and work from the mixing tray.

4.     Replace excess products from the tray back into the container. Throw it away

Tools
This includes your beauty blender, brushes, mixing plate/tray and spatula, spooly, makeup wedges, scissors, tweezers, blades, lash applicator, and curler and the likes. 

Do

1.     Use disposable tools like spoolies (mascara wands), lip wands, cotton buds and swabs and whatever disposables you can find. They are designed to be used once. 

2.     Sterilize all non-disposable tools with 70% (recommended) alcohol before use.

3.     Use one beauty blender per client. After use, they should be tucked away neatly to be washed and sanitized before being used again.

Do not

1.     Double dip i.e. Dipping your brush directly from the pan or container to the face and back to the container. This can cause cross-contamination.

2.     Use the same tools for different customers. I.e. do not use the same brush to apply powder on two different people except they have been washed and sanitized 

Personal Hygiene
Last but not least is personal hygiene of both individuals involved in the transaction. The makeup artist and the client. To ensure that both parties are safe, there are a few things that will help to reduce the transfer of germs.

Do

1. Have both parties wash and or sanitize hands before application

2. The artist should wear a mask to avoid breathing directly into the face of the client

3. There should be virtually on talking during the makeup process to avoid saliva droplets. All comments and corrections should be made before or after the application.

Do not 

1.     Use your mouth to air dry glue on lashes. You may end up with liquid oral droplets on the lashes, and then place them on the lids. It is unhygienic and unsanitary to do this. Please avoid this by spacing yourself and giving the lashes enough time to dry naturally.

Shout out to Iowa makeup artist @ivysavanah who broke this down like a pro on her IG page and beauty insider for featuring her.

Thanks 

Adenike