SAFE COVID-19


Know how it spreads

  • There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
  • The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
  • The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
    • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
    • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
    • These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
    • Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms. For more information visit CDC: How to Protect Yourself & Others.

First you want to evaluate your workplace to determine what kinds of surfaces and materials make up that area. Most surfaces and objects will just need normal routine cleaning.

It’s always been necessary to practice safe beauty hygiene by properly cleaning your brush care tools and brushes. Given the COVID-19 global outbreak it couldn’t be more important than now. We should all be taking part in stoping the spread by using extra sanitary precautions. These are some tips from various sources on how to keep your workspace and beauty products clean and avoid potentially spreading bacteria.

Tip 1: It’s absolutely crucial to wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (or using alcohol-based sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol). This is especially true before handling makeup, skincare or touching your face. Try to avoid conversation as much as possible.

Tip 2: The CDC recommends cleaning & disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.

  • First, clean the surface or object with soap and water.
  • Then, disinfect using an EPA-approved disinfectant.
  • If an EPA-approved disinfectant is unavailable, you can use one tablespoon bleach per four cups of water, or 70% alcohol solutions to disinfect. Do not mix bleach or other cleaning and disinfection products together. Find additional information at CDC’s website on Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility.

Tip 3: Next sanitizing all daily beauty tools. Make sure to wash and sanitize your makeup brushes before applying products. Always remember to clean your brushes & don’t forget to clean the containers you store them in, while wiping down any other frequently touched serves to prevent spreading bacteria to clean products/brushes.

The CDC recommends when using alcohol to sanitize your makeup tools (or any other device for that matter), you will enhance the overall germ-killing properties of the sanitizing process if you clean your tools and brushes first and rinse them very well with water. The cleaning step will help to physically remove skin cells and makeup chemicals from the tools and brushes, thereby minimizing the amount of soil and protein material that can reduce the potency of the alcohol. To further enhance the sanitizing effect of the alcohol soaking, allow the tools and brushes to soak for a few minutes, then rinse with clean water and allow to dry.

Tip 4: Stop sharing any makeup products, especially with those who are feeling sick. The virus particles can survive outside the human body for days. Many brands have temporarily closed retail operations and have taken steps to remove in-store testers.

Tip 5: Brushes used for cream and liquid products should be deep cleaned more frequently. Be sure to sanitize as often as possible to reduce risk of spreading bacteria.

Tip 6: Evaluate your products to consider tossing or replacing products with shorter expiration dates. For lipstick, clean top layer off, then scrape product onto a palette and apply with lip brush. Sharpen lip & eye pencils before use.

Tip 7: If possible prepare separate makeup brush sets for each client and prohibit the sharing of equipment. This will be the safest method of minimizing spread.

These are tips and suggestions on how to maintain safe beauty hygiene and a safe workspace. In the case you have been sick, clean and disinfect tools and discard any beauty products that have been used while sick to prevent spreading bacteria.


Long-held "debate" among people about 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (PROPAN-2-OL) vs 99%


So which % of Isopropyl Alcohol should a makeup artist or even you should be using to sanitize and disinfect their products or tools like brushes? 70% to 91% per the CDC. Save the 99% for alcohol activated cosmetic palettes because alcohol palettes such as PPI and other types use 99%. Can't find anything less than 99% or 95%? You can dilute it down using distilled water but you need to make sure your ratios are accurate or it may not be effective.

Stay Informed: As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to unravel, key information and guidelines change constantly as more knowledge becomes available. For the latest information, please refer to the CDC and WHO.