I occasionally have the opportunity to do a little bit of TV and film acting
The gigs are few and far between, but when I am lucky enough to get a call, it’s not the scripts or lines I need to know off by heart that scares me, but whether or not the hair and makeup artists are going to use clean makeup tools on me. Yes, that’s right! The whole idea of a huge cast sharing brushes and sponges completely freaks me out! All those bugs festering in those little pots of makeup and brushes.
Last week I worked on a TV commercial and I loved every minute of it. Not only was the filming fun but the makeup artists were incredibly professional. As per normal, the cast get to have their hair and makeup done in a makeup and wardrobe bus. Chairs, mirrors, running water, clean towels and loads of brushes, pots of makeup, powders, lip pencils and colours and foundations all in abundance.
What I loved about my experience last week was the fact that each cast member had their own little makeup case. To start with all the brushes were extremely clean. Cleaning brushes is so easy, all that is needed is that they are to be washed in soapy hot water, rinsed well, air dried and wiped over with isopropyl alcohol (99.8%). 
The brushes used on me were placed in my case, with my lip colour and all my palettes.
Nothing was double dipped, spatulas and cotton buds were used to remove colour from the pots, then disposed of immediately. Colours of eyeshadow, blush and bronzing palettes can be easily and hygienically cleaned with a light spray of isopropyl alcohol which dries immediately and doesn’t harm the products.Foundation was placed on a palette and only my brush was used for my application.
This is how it should be everywhere you go when having your makeup applied, whether it be a department store counter, a makeup bar, a salon or even if you have a professional makeup artist visit you. There are no exceptions! Spatulas/disposable applicators should be made available for you to test and try at your leisure, rather than fingers straight into products.
It is not advisable to ever share makeup, especially eye make up (particularly mascara, eyeliner or eye-shadow) as there is the risk of spreading conjunctivitis.
Sharing lipsticks or lip glosses also risks spreading cold sores, caused by a virus called Herpes Simplex.
So next time your friend wants to borrow your makeup, or you are offered a free make over, please check very carefully that nothing is double dipped.
salonbitch 