Get clean: extend your new hygiene obsession to your makeup kit

 From sanitising everything after a supermarket trip to sneezing into our arms and not our hands, most of us are careful to keep ourselves as germ-free as possible during the day—but we could be losing some ground in our daily beauty routines. Here’s a few do’s and don’t’s that are worth adhering to during lockdown… and long after.

DO: WASH YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES
If you still haven’t jumped on the regular brush-washing bandwagon, this might change your mind: what is on your face—oil, dirt, pollutants, bacteria—is on your brush. You don’t want to keep swirling all of those things around your skin, and as you wash your face daily, you should wash your brushes as often as you can too. Use a spray brush cleanser for easy cleaning, then at least once a week go in and give them a really good, deep cleanse. There are tonnes of products designed specifically for cleaning makeup brushes, but many experts swear by baby shampoo for taking care of the job. M.A.C Cosmetics Brush Cleanser $28 is a favourite amongst pro MUAs for its ability to clean, disinfect and condition bristles and fibres to extend the longevity of your brushes. For at home use, Scandi beauty favourite MAKETHEMAKE’s Brush Cleansing Kit $30 contains everything you’ll need and contains the mess. The kit contains a specially formulated brush shampoo with added softening complex as well as a cleverly designed brush cleansing bowl. The also kit includes a MAKETHEMAKE organic cotton bag for practical and hygienic storage. Dr Bronner’s Rose Pure-Castile Liquid Soap $22 is a natural wonder - a concentrated, biodegradable, versatile and effective liquid soap made with organic and certified fair trade ingredients that comes packaged in a 100 per cent post-consumer recycled bottle.

DO: STORE YOUR BRUSHES CORRECTLY

Storing brushes in a clean, dry place is as essential as cleaning them, so keep each makeup brush separately by placing them well away from dirt and dust. Additionally, makeup bags and kits should also be kept clean every time you wash brushes to avoid the transfer of germs and bacteria.

DON'T: SHARE YOUR MAKEUP (EVER)

For many this is a no-brainer, but after a few drinks at a party using your new BFF’s blush or lip gloss seems a perfectly okay thing to do. But just DON’T. Sharing is a surefire way to spread break-outs, bacteria and infections. This is particularly true of eye makeup, as you do not know if someone have or just had an eye infection and it could be contagious. Mascara and eyeliner carry a lot of bacteria because of the area on which they are used, and this is why you should change mascara and eyeliner regularly.

DO: CHECK YOUR EXPIRY DATES

Before you use any makeup product, ensure its expiry date to avoid any sort of risk. We've all got products that seemingly go on and on forever, yet makeup that's past its expiry date can wreak havoc on your skin. Forking out for a new foundation while you've still got some left may seem ridiculous, but your complexion will thank you in the long run. Eye and liquid beauty products have a shorter lifespan in particular, so always check your foundation and mascaras first.

 DON’T: GLOW UP WITHOUT CLEANSING FIRST

Before you apply makeup with your fingers, you might want to grab an extra bottle of sanitiser or at least an antibacterial soap. The skin under your fingernails and on your hands harbours bacteria, viruses and fungus, all of which can transfer to your face. Think of yourself as a diligent restaurant employee and give your hands a good scrub before spreading on your products. Melora’s Double Action Mānuka Honey & Mānuka Oil Hand Wash uses the antimicrobial properties in Mānuka Honey and Mānuka Oil to keep hands clear and clean of bacteria, whilst softening extracts like Barley Leaf and Wheat Leaf Extract acts as a skin conditioning agent, smoothing and conditioning your freshly clean paws.

Main image: by Raphael Lovaski on Unsplash