Get set, because your clients will want you to make them feel fabulous again. Here's what every pro should know about hygienic makeup application.
Pandemic aside, professional makeup artists should always practice a proficient hygienic makeup application, it's vital to look out for the health and safety of your clients.
Hygiene is just one way to attract and keep clients, but in today's climate, your hygiene proficiency should form a key part of your marketing too. Whether it is before, during, or after makeup application, hygiene is now more important than ever. Poor makeup application hygiene not only puts your clients at risk of infectious disease, but it puts your business at the brink of collapse too.
Remember, you're already ahead of the curve if you are an airbrush makeup artist.
Airbrushing requires no contact with the skin, so you can build client confidence by reinforcing that your application technique is the most hygienic way of applying make-up available today.
Hygiene tips for makeup artists
Maintaining good working practices can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases (like COVID). Be sure to 'brush-up' on your working practices.
Before
Check product expiry dates, after such a long period of inactivity, make-up may have been open beyond the recommended dates.
Cleanse all brushes and sanitise all equipment, including tweezers, pencil sharpeners, airbrush gun.
Ensure to check client allergies.
Wash your hands. Sanitise them prior to start application. Encourage your client to do the same.
During
Decant the product you need into a tray. This stops any cross contamination.
In the case of pencils, sharpen immediately after use or dip into alcohol.
Use disposable makeup applicators where possible.
Wear a face mask/shield.
Sanitise regularly throughout.
After
Clean and sanitise all artist tools, including towels if you aren't used disposal gowns.
Clean down and disinfect all surfaces.
Sanitise your hands.
Take contactless payment, where possible.
Everything you need for safe makeup applications
Recommended read: Makeup Application, during a pandemic, by Anni Buchannan.
While much of your work may have been cancelled it is probable that some TV work, photographic work and maybe a wedding or two will proceed as planned. And as the UK gets fatigued with social distancing, work will begin to resume.
Recommended read: What every pro MUA needs for a germ-free application.
The only application method that allows you to build coverage without the need to touch the skin; discover a superior application and not a makeup brush in sight.
Recommended read: Match any skin tone with just 7 shades; learn the secret.
Problem: One of the many problems for today's MUA is the creation of a completely inclusive make-up kit; without the fuss of hauling around a hundred shades of foundation and a stock investment of similar value.
Airbrush Makeup, remains the safest way to apply make-up during a pandemic.
A key difference between the two is that airbrush makeup application is far more hygienic than traditional makeup, making it an excellent choice for makeup artists. You don't need to touch the foundation at all, and the airbrush gun (stylus) doesn't touch your skin. Therefore, you aren't transferring dirt, oil or bacteria as you apply your makeup. This is great for people who are prone to breakouts, unlike traditional makeup, for which the tools all harbor huge numbers of bacteria.
Not an airbrush artist? Invest in one of our airbrush makeup collections.