Sanitary Information

To many, the idea of buying used makeup is not very appealing. But what they do not know is how easily makeup items can be sanitized and used again without anything to worry about. Here are some helpful hints:

Pressed Powders

Pressed powders, such as eyeshadow, blush, or face powder, do not really need to be sanitized. This is because bacteria is unable to live for extended periods of time on the surface of a powder. You would literally have to swipe it right after someone contaminated it. However, who doesn't like peace of mind, right? Sanitizing a pressed powder is very easy. Simply wipe the surface with a paper towel, removing a bit of the product. Alternatively, you can mist the surface with a very fine layer of rubbing alcohol or a product like Beauty So Clean, which is used by makeup artists to keep their kits nice and clean.


Loose Powder

There is no way to sanitize loose powder. However, just as with pressed powder, they are not a prime location for bacteria to grow. If it makes you feel more comfortable, wipe down the surface of your powder's sifter with a Beauty So Clean wipe or alcohol.

Lipsticks, Cream Blush

For these products sanitization is also very easy. For a lipstick, swirl the lipstick gently in rubbing alcohol for 30 seconds and then allow to dry. For a cream blush, either mist the surface with alcohol or wipe the top layer with a tissue. Please note that when wiping a cream blush it is possible that fibers from the tissue or whatever you use could stick to the blush. It is therefore more favorable to use the alcohol method, or an alcohol/Beauty So Clean wipe.

Lipgloss - Squeeze Tubes

Cleaning these is very easy. Just wipe the applicator tip of the tube with a wipe.

Lipgloss - Pot

For potted glosses, there is no sure-fire way to sanitize them, but for peace of mind you can mist the surface with whichever cleaning product (alcohol or Beauty So Clean) you choose.


Lipgloss - Wand Applicator, Mascara, Liquid Liner

There is no way to sanitize these. I know some people who have put a few drops of alcohol into their gloss because it makes them feel better, but there's no evidence that it does anything. The chances of picking up a virus or bacteria from one of these items is very small because of the lifespan of the virus/bacteria. You would have to come into contact with it very shortly after it was contaminated.

Brushes

Wash these as you normally would wash any brush. You don't need any expensive brush shampoo. If you don't have any brush cleaner on hand, just use your face wash or shampoo.

Disclaimer: These hints in no way guaranty that nothing will ever happen to you if you use previously used cosmetics. These are just my experiences and things I've picked up from pro makeup artists who must sanitize their kits after use on clients. I make every effort to maintain a sanitary makeup kit, but I am not responsible for what may or may not occur.