How Do I Clean My Makeup Kit After Every Wedding?

1. Declutter... get rid of it if it is something you don't use or wont use again
2. Disinfect the tools in your kit after each wedding. Do not use a tool or brush on two different people without disinfecting
3. Disinfect all makeup products

 

Cleaning Your Powders 

Open up the container and mist spray with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA). Do not saturate powders with alcohol - just lightly mist and let air dry. 

 

Liquids - How to Stay Sterile While Applying Makeup
Using a metal or glass palette for your foundations, concealers and lipsticks is the best way to prevent contamination. After the small amount of product is on the palette, use a brush to apply the products to the face. Clean the palette with alcohol between people. Wipe off both the palette and the container top between clients. 

Lipsticks: Before slicing off a small piece of lipstick to put on your palette, mist the lipstick with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA). Then slice off a small amount with a spatula and then use a clean lip brush.

 

Creams: Before opening, wipe off the tube or jar top with an alcohol wipe. Unscrew the top and using a clean spatula, scrape off the top layer of the cream product and put it on your palette. This way you never need to double dip back into the pot. 

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Rule of Thumb: before applying any sort of pencil... Dip, Sharpen, Dip!
Always dip the pencil into alcohol, sharpen the pencil, then finally, dip it again! Ensure your sharpener has also been thoroughly sterilized the same way.
 

Mascara: NEVER ever double dip the mascara wands because we all have mites - they are part of our body's natural microbiome and by cleaning up dead skin cells and excess oils, they are actually doing us a service. As long as their numbers stay low, Demodex mites are harmless.

Did you know that we should change our mascara every 3 months?! The tube can harbor bacteria. We also recommend trying not to pump the mascara wand up and down as this can pump too much air into the mascara and cause it to dry out. Lastly, always use disposable mascara wands on every client unless you are gifting them the mascara after using it.

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Blush and Eye Shadow: These must be cleaned with a spray of 70%
Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA). Spray and then let air dry.
 

70% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) is your most important weapon when it
comes to keeping your makeup bag and its contents sanitized. Made
from a 70% alcohol 30% water solution, it is most effective against
bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
 

How Do You Clean The Inside of a Makeup Box?
Remove the bag and set it aside. Then, wet a clean towel with cold water. Using a corner of the cloth, apply a few drops of soap. Rub one corner with another until suds form, then clean out your dirty cosmetic bag with your sudsy towel. Let air dry.

 

What Can I Use to Clean My Makeup Bag?
In most cases, the safest way is to hand-wash your bag is with a gentle
dishwashing detergent. If your bag is a bit more durable, toss it into a mesh bag (to protect zippers or VELCRO®) and put it in your washing machine on a gentle wash cycle.

 

How Do You Clean Beauty Supplies?
The CDC states that solutions with a minimum of 70 percent alcohol serve as effective disinfectants. Linda recommends cleaning your products at least once a week with a spray bottle filled with alcohol.

 

Does Rubbing Alcohol Clean Makeup Brushes?
Not unless it is 70% or more concentrated. The Isopropyl Alcohol acts as an instant brush refresher to kill the bacteria and disinfect the brush. When cleaning brushes, we recommend using a 70% grade so it is not harsh on the skin. Pour the Isopropyl Alcohol into a small bowl, dip the brush into the bowl, and move it around for about 10 to 20 seconds.

 

How Do I Disinfect Concealer?
I always carry a spray bottle of 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA). It is your most important weapon when it comes to keeping your makeup bag and its contents sanitized. Made from a 70% alcohol 30% water solution, it is most effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

 

Is It Better to Apply Foundation With Fingers or a Sponge?
NEVER use your fingers to apply anything on the face of a client! Not only due to the outbreak of Covid-19, but who wants random fingers on their faces?! Sponges are good for achieving a flawless finish and brushes are ideal for full coverage. Sometimes, a little mixing and matching can go a long way. Use your palette and a spatula for transferring.

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How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes

"I own 400 brushes and never reuse a brush on my Bride or anyone one in the party" says Linda.  Never, ever, show up with dirty brushes! It shows that you have no respect for your job or are too lazy to clean them before every wedding. When you arrive home with your dirty brushes in a closed container, put it on your schedule to clean them before before your next wedding. Keep clean brushes in an air tight carrying case until you get to the venue.
 

A great product that is easily obtainable is Cinema Secret Original and Zote Laundry Soap to remove long ware makeup residue. Make sure that you clean the shank/handle of each brush, not just the brush itself. Make sure you clean blenders (sponges)  with Zote Soap or something similar. Disposable sponges are the best and you can get regular makeup sponges from friendbeautysupply.com out of Los Angeles . They are fabulous - they give you 40% off of all products and they have every product you could ever want. Just go to their site
and register with your credentials.
 

PRO TIP: Carrying a "pop up" disposable garbage can is very helpful to keep your area clean and tidy. Take it with you when you go to a venue. It will also show how prepared you are.