How to Clean Your Make Up Brushes...
WHY DO ARE MAKE UP BRUSHES IMPORTANT?
Make Up brushes are an essential part of any Make Up Artist’s kit and they are needed to blend the make up out properly in order to create a flawless finish. They are also used for Health & Safety purposes as they prevent cross contamination from one product and clients to another.
WHY IS IMPORTANT TO CLEAN YOUR MAKE UP BRUSHES?
Professional makeup brushes are an investment. And, like any other investment, we want a great return on that investment. To make sure that will happen you must take care of your brushes. People always forget this. The best thing you can do is get on a brush cleaning routine…AND DO IT REGULARLY. Also, a tip that most people don't know is to make sure you clean your brushes after you purchase them but before you use them. Why? Because during production, they collect dust, dirt, debris and bacteria.
Every time you use makeup brushes to pick up the products be it foundation/concealer/Blush/Eye Shadow or anything, some of it gets deposited on the brush bristles which builds up by time and natural oils from your skin gets transferred to the brushes when they come in contact to your skin during application. These natural oils and product traces on the brush acts as a breeding ground for bacteria which gets transferred to your face with next application and leads to spots and even pimples.
As well as ALL client’s, those that suffer with acne or have sensitive skin, these clients will greatly benefit from keeping your foundation brushes clean at all times. Reason? All that bacteria can cause break outs and when you have build up on your foundation/powder brushes it can cause your brushes to be rough and scratchy which will irritate your client’s skin.
The best thing for you to do is clean your foundation/powder brush after every use to assure you are taking the best care of your client’s skin. I understand that is a big commitment, but once you get into a routine it will be easy as pie. If you’re one who never cleans your brushes think about all the old make-up and bacteria that builds up in your brush and then you go rubbing it on your client’s face.
LEGISLATION & CODE OF PRACTICE
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 provides Legislation that must be complied with by all companies and proprietors throughout. However, to really deal with the problem often means taking action over and above legal requirements.
Most products in a salon are perfectly safe, but some products can become hazardous under certain conditions, or if used inappropriately. All salons should be aware of how to use and store products.
Good working practices and working hygienically can substantially reduce the risk of cross-infection and help prevent the contamination of your makeup. Sadly, not everybody working in the makeup industries, from beauty counters and bridal to catwalk, film and TV, works to a high standard.
Dirty brushes, unwashed hands, double dipping and general lack of good working practices are rife. Infectious conditions like conjunctivitis and sties can be caused by poor makeup hygiene and contaminated makeup products. Providing an unsafe service puts your clients and your career at risk.
Here are some of the risks you take by not cleaning your Make Up Brushes.
Conjunctivitis: the inflammation of the conjunctiva – the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. The infection can cause a red and watery eye with sticky secretions. Most commonly caused by viral or bacterial infection, but can also be caused by an allergic reaction e.g. hay fever or cosmetic ingredients.
Impetigo: a highly-contagious bacterial infection of the skin, more commonly seen in school children and those who play contact sports. Causes dry, honey-coloured crusty spots with reddened patches. Is often found on the face, arms or legs. Caused by Staphylococcus aureus and sometimes by Streptococcus pyogenes.
Stye: also known as a hordeolum. A stye is caused by the infection of a sebaceous gland at the base of the eyelash follicle, resulting in a painful red swelling that develops on the inside or outside of the eyelid. It is usually caused by staphylococci bacteria, though a blocked oil gland can also trigger a stye. Chronic blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids) may increase the risk of styes.
Ringworm: a fungal infection that can affect the skin, scalp or nails. Athlete’s Foot is ringworm that affects the feet. Ringworm creates circular areas of dull rough skin surrounded by raised red rings
Scabies: a rash caused by an allergic reaction to the itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Often appears in skin folds, like the midriff, and on the inside of the thighs and can look like a series of dry spotty bites. Can be spread via close contact.
Herpes Simplex: cold sores are small blister-like lesions which usually appear around the mouth. Caused by the herpes simplex viruses, cold sores are highly contagious and infection can be easily passed from person to person by close direct contact.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR BRUSHES
KIT
In your kit you will see…
· Bowls
· Make Up Brushes
· Towel
· FREEDOM PRO STUDIO Brush Bath Sanitizing Brush Cleaner (£3.50 Superdrug)
DIRECTIONS
1. Wash your Hands
2. Fill the bowls with hot water; wet the brush in the bowl fully submersing it, then swirl the brush around in the jar until it lathers up.
3. Work the brush into the palm of your hand.
4. Once you feel it has got rid of all the residue then rinse the brush in the bowl.
5. Give the brush a final rinse, squeeze them out gently with your fingers and if the brush is a certain shape; try and mold the brush back into that shape.
6. Lay them on a clean towel to dry.
7. Keep the balm clean and ready for the next use by running under water.
TOP TIP: If you are in the salon, and you are rushing in between clients you can use a hair dryer on a warm heat or an antibacterial spray with kitchen role to clean them.
