Our makeup kit has become an indispensable beauty tool. However, if we don’t pay attention the same tools that help enhance our beauty can become a leading source of many frustrating beauty and health problems that are totally preventable. Learn what you can do to keep you makeup kit germ-free with a few simple tips.

Know the shelf life of your makeup products

It’s not really a secret that products that are used beyond their expiration date are the ones that are more likely to be bacteria-infested. Therefore, being informed about the normal shelf life of the makeup products that you use most often is one of the best ways to prevent germs and bacteria.

One of the most obvious ways to tell if the product has moved beyond the expiration date is to look for any changes in color, consistency, or smell of the products, a clear indication that you should get rid of those products.

However, when you notice these changes it may already be too late. Powder eye shadow, blushers or bronzers, lipstick, lip liners, pencil eyeliners have the longest shelf life, of about two years. Lip gloss, cream and compact foundation and concealers have a life expectancy of about a year, a year and a half. Eye makeup products have the smallest shelf life of only three to six months from the moment they were first opened. Mascara, liquid eyeliners or eyeshadow should be used with caution after three months.

Beware of makeup counter makeovers

Getting a free makeover at the beauty counters may sound like a good deal. But this decision may end up costing you more than you would think. Because the products are used on hundreds of women they are heavily infested with a variety of germs and bacteria that can pose serious health risks.

Research shows that no matter if you get a free makeover from an expensive store or a less known one the possibility of infection remains just as high. If you cannot resist the temptation, you should at least avoid weekends, as at these times the probability of infection are the highest. Use only disposable applicators during a trial.

Avoid sharing makeup

Borrowing makeup from a friend is something that many women do without even thinking about the consequences of this common behavior. Sharing eye makeup can put you at risk of conjunctivitis while sharing lipstick and lip gloss can increase the changes of getting cold sores. Also, throw away any lipsticks or lip glosses that you used when if you had cold sores to avoid repeated contamination.

Clean your makeup tools frequently

Your makeup brushes as well as other makeup tools can be the leading cause of bacteria spread. It is recommended to use disposable applicators for everything that touches your eyes or your lips and to clean makeup brushes at least once every two weeks. To wash your makeup brushes you should use lukewarm water and gentle shampoo or detergent of your choice. Alternatively you can also use vinegar or tea tree oil to clean and disinfect your makeup tools naturally. Another good strategy for avoiding bacteria spread is to remove the superficial upper layer from of creams and powders you use, because that is where the highest concentration of bacteria can be found.

Avoid keeping cosmetics in direct heat

Intense heat can quickly deteriorate the preservatives that are used to prevent bacteria spread, making your cosmetic products a fertile environment for all kinds of germs and bacteria. Avoid keeping makeup products in your car as much as possible and avoid storing your makeup kit in humid places where bacteria can multiply at rapid rates. Last but not the least make sure that makeup containers are properly closed after each use. Air contact and humidity can greatly increase bacteria growth.

One store that offers the widest range of quality disposable make-up implements is Nippon Esthetic Solution. It has everything from mascara wands, disposable professional makeup brushes and sponges, to applicators, tools and other accessories to help reduce the risk of infection through cross-contamination and bad hygiene procedures. Its bestseller is the Parian Spirit professional brush cleaner, which is the preferred brush cleaner among professional film and television makeup artists. It is an environmentally safe product that thoroughly and gently cleans sable, squirrel, and other fine brushes. This unique cleaner dissolves all types of makeup products (powder, liquid, wax based, and adhesive) while conditioning and disinfecting brush hair. Also, Parian Spirit will not damage the paint or wooden handle of a brush. Parian Spirit is perfect for cleaning makeup and adhesives off the lace of wigs and hairpieces.

Visit their website www.nipponesthetic.com.

Email the author: info@jakegalvez.com.