You run out of mascara as you’re getting ready for a party, photo shoot or just a girls’ night at home, would you use your friend’s? Sure why not, it’s harmless… isn’t it?
Absolutely NOT! The truth is, makeup (especially eye makeup like mascara) can harbor harmful bacteria and cause infection if it is not properly stored and used, especially if kept passed its expiration date.

When you think about it, the face is one of the most sensitive areas on your body so it only makes sense that you take extra precautions when caring for it. Think to yourself, how often do you change or replace your makeup and applicators? Some of you probably can’t even recall the last time you bought new makeup. Many women’s line of thinking is “Well I still have half a bottle of this foundation left, why would I throw it away?!” or “I’m the only one using this applicator, so what does it make how many times I use it?!” I’ll tell you why, because practicing sanitary habits when handling makeup are imperative due to pathogenic bacteria which are harmful and produce diseases.

The longer you keep the makeup the more germs and bacteria will contaminate the bottle and the makeup itself providing more opportunity for you to be infected with things like Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, a bacteria capable of causing organ failure, Conjunctivitis (pink eye) and Staphylococcus Aureus which can cause dermatitis.





How many times have you fallen asleep with a face full of makeup and think “Oh, I’ll just wash it off in the morning…no harm in that…” WRONG! All the dirt and germs that you encountered throughout the day festers on your face while you sleep. If you have foundation or concealer on, it will clog your pores making it difficult for your skin to breathe which creates an environment for bacteria to cause infection. So the next time you come in from a long day at work or ripping the runway, be sure to wash your face thoroughly to prevent acne causing bacteria and other infections.

Back to the “double dipping” scenario, the same way you wouldn’t eat after a double dipper is the same way you should treat your makeup applicators. How many times have you dipped your mascara wand into the container, then applied the makeup and repeated that action? More than likely you’ve done it more than once, right? Well that’s the same as eating after the double dipper at the party; each time you dip the wand into the mascara or pat the brush in the powder you are contaminating it with germs. To prevent this from happening you should use a new disposable wand for mascara each time you apply it and for other applicators you should wash and thoroughly sterilize them before usage.
It goes without saying that it is imperative for makeup artist who deal with several clients at events like fashion shows or for actors on theatrical and movie sets to take precautions as other people’s health lie in their hands. It would not be good for business for the beautiful models and actresses to wake up the next morning with a very unappealing infection of the eye.

Here are some ways to sanitize and sterilize makeup along with guidelines on how long makeup should be kept and used:

• Keep your brushes and applicators are sanitary. Wash the makeup residue and oil from brushes regularly by adding a few drops of baby shampoo to the palm of your hand, wetting the brush and swirling it around in the soap until no makeup washes out. Foam applicators or sponges can be dipped into soapy water and squeezed gently until no makeup emerges. Rinse all of the makeup tools well and allow to air dry.
• Be particularly careful with products that you use on or near your eyes. Mascara should only be used for two months or replaced even sooner if its color or smell begins to change. If you’ve had an eye infection or cold, for example, you should buy new eye makeup immediately, especially mascara.
• You should replace solid, stick-type makeup at least once a year, particularly if it’s a stick concealer or foundation product that you’ve applied on blemishes. Buy new liquid makeup like foundation, every six months because it’s easier for bacteria to build up in the bottle. It’s also important to only touch the bottle with a clean makeup brush or applicator as oppose to using your fingertip to minimize germs.
• Pencil-type makeup (like eyeliners and lip liners) should be changed every six months. As an extra precaution, you may want to replace your sharpeners regularly because they are difficult to clean and can also harbor germs.
• Change powder-type makeup such as mineral makeup, powder or blush every year to avoid bacteria build up. The exception to this rule is eyeshadow, which should be replaced sooner since it’s used close to the sensitive eye area.
If your eye becomes infected by expired or contaminated makeup here are some tips for treatment:
• Since bacterial infections are highly contagious, it is important to seek medical attention early.
• You will be prescribed antibiotics drops and should notice signs of improvement after a couple of days.
• To ease the discomfort of an eye infection, apply a cold or warm compress for 5-10 minutes onto closed eyes, three to four times a day.
• Always be sure to wash your hands thoroughly and do not share towels and linens in order to prevent infecting others.
• If you wear contacts, remove them until the infection has cleared.
• Wash your hands every time after you touch your eye.



Here are some other precautions to follow to ensure proper sanitary makeup usage:

Would you want this infecting your eye?
• Never apply cosmetics over a cold sore because strains of the herpes virus can easily be spread from one location to another and infections of the eye can lead to vision loss.
• Always make sure that products are closed tight and stored out of sunlight, as this can destroy the preservatives.
• If you have an eye infection, do not use any eye products.
• Unless directed by the manufacturer, never add any liquids to the products.
• Dispose of the makeup if you notice any change in color or smell.
• Avoid sampling makeup at department stores when possible. If you do test, never apply directly from the makeup, you should use a clean, disposable applicator like a cotton swab or sponge to apply the cosmetics.
Prior to reading this many of you were probably handling your makeup and tools improperly, but hopefully after receiving this information you’ll remember to avoid double dipping and sharing, unless you want to end up with a puffy pink eye or worse possibly losing eyesight! Treat your makeup like food or produce, once it passes the expiration date, toss it out!
Sanitation and sterilization goes a long way with your makeup kits; it could be the difference between a pretty face and a NASTY infection…which would you prefer?

Now go paint those beautiful faces, one disposable applicator at a time!