This is how to properly sanitize different types makeup
by Nina Marable, contributor
Here in Project Vanity, we love sharing our beauty tips, product insights, and hot new finds. What we don’t like sharing, however, is makeup itself – we don't want bacteria spreading around and causing problems! Even if you don't share makeup products with other people, your personal collection can still harbor unhealthy growths that can compromise your safety and shorten the lifespan of your products. So it's still important to sanitize your makeup regularly.
We already have articles on cleaning your beauty tools and product recos for what you can use for that task. Beauty tools aren’t the only ones that need cleaning, though. Your powder pans, creams, and lipsticks need that, too! Cleaning these items are essential to keep bacteria from growing. These are simple and easy steps, and you will only need a few items to save your face from getting a nasty irritation.
Powder pans and eyeshadows
There are two ways to clean these products: you can either use a knife or some tissue and alcohol. If you’re feeling a little badass, use a clean knife to lightly scrape off the dirty top layer of your product. This is particularly useful for products that have formed a hardened layer hat makes it difficult to pick up product; it happens not because the product but from oil that has transferred from your face! A sharp knife makes the job easier but if you're afraid of cutting yourself, a blunt edge will do fine. Do this on top of a sturdy table you can rest your hands on for better control. Scrape off just enough to say goodbye to that yucky layer of makeup.
If your product is otherwise fine though, this option is simpler and wastes less product. Using a clean tissue, lightly rub off the top layer and then spray a fine, even coat of alcohol on the product. Allow to dry thoroughly before next use.
Pencils
Just like the first tip, the same concept applies: remove the top layer with a quick pass through a cosmetic sharpener and expose a fresh new layer. It is best to do this before every use, just to ensure cleanliness (especially important for eyeliners!) and also to keep the tip sharpened for more precise application.
Creams in pans
Cream formulas tend to catch a lot of dust and dirt because of the somewhat wet texture. Grab some Q-tips and alcohol to remove any lodged particles. Just douse the Q-tip with alcohol and gently use it to swipe off the top layer and remove debris. You may need to repeat this with several Q-tips as it will more easily absorb product but it's important to do several passes, so that you can remove the dirt instead of redistributing it.
Lipsticks and retractable pencils
These products can be sanitized by the same method as cream products but if you've been sick and don't want your germs to remain on the makeup, you can dunk them in alcohol! Leave it in for at least 10 seconds and then simply air dry them. The alcohol will evaporate and your product should be okay to use again. Don't attempt to wipe with tissue or dry cotton wipes as the fibers may shed and stick to the product.
Foundation
I don’t know about you, but I believe Tati (or GlamLifeGuru) when she says that foundations that come in pumps (or squeezable tubes) are the most hygienic way of packaging product! With a pump, none of the product returns into the bottle after being dispensed, so the risk for contamination is low to non-existent. Spills and caked-up product can still appear on the spout area though so just use a makeup remover wipe and rub it all over the packaging.
Mascara
Last but definitely not the least, mascara is the makeup item that's often labeled as the dirtiest and quickest to expire. This is because the packaging forces you to replace the wand into the tube after use, contaminating the entire batch of product! It's particularly worrisome considering that the product is used on sensitive eye area. While you can buy disposable mascara wands and use those instead (as makeup artists sometimes do), you can also attempt to prolong mascara shelf life and reduce the speed of bacteria growth by cleaning after each use. Put the wand in between the folds of a paper towel to remove the excess product then allow it to sit in just-boiled water for a few minutes. This also allows you to remove whatever is leftover and prevent the application from getting clumpy.
How often you should clean your products differs from one user to another. If you’re a makeup artist or if you tend to share your products a lot, then it's best to sanitize your makeup in between each use. For products that are strictly for your personal use, you should clean your makeup at least once a month for maintenance and more frequently if you have been sick.
Do you make sure to keep your makeup clean? How do you keep your products germ-free?
Nina is a high school student at Saint Pedro Poveda College. She interns for Project Vanity.
Sources: XO Jane, Makeup & Beauty Blog, Clean My Space