When I was younger, I wasn't too knowledgeable about makeup. And not just how to apply it, but how it would affect my skin. So, needless to say, when my face started breaking out, I couldn't understand the reason. My mom said it was because I shouldn't be wearing makeup (seriously, parents will say anything to get you to follow the rules). But I soon learned that it was because of the many makeup hygiene mistakes I was unintentionally making.
Needless to say, I quickly found out that the cause of my breakouts could be linked back to my beauty routines. (Yes Mom, you were right. Happy?) Since I wasn't used to wearing makeup often, I rarely took the necessary, extra steps to take care of my tools and products. To be honest, I can probably count on one hand the number of times I cleaned my two makeup brushes when I first got into the makeup game. But once I realized these mistakes were wreaking havoc on my skin, I started making some necessary changes to my makeup routine.
Whether you're just starting out with makeup or you've been "beating your face" for some time, these 11 mistakes are very common and should be changed STAT.
1You Don't Clean Your Brushes Often Enough
Professional makeup artist Chrissy Woods tells Romper that not cleaning your brushes often enough is a huge mistake that most women make. "I would suggest cleaning them weekly," she says. "The easiest way to clean them is to use equal proportions of baby shampoo and water." Once that's done, Woods says to lay your brushes on a flat surface and allow them to air dry.
2You Don't Wash Your Hands Before Starting
Another mistake most women are making is neglecting to wash their hands before starting on their makeup or on someone else's, makeup artist Ethan Hill tells Romper. Just like your makeup brushes, your hands hold bacteria and can cause breakouts on yours or your clients face.
3You Don't Sanitize Your Products Before Using Them On Someone Else
Pro artist Janisa Camille tells Romper that not sanitizing your products is a quick way to making a big mistake. In doing so, you are hoarding bacteria and then essentially placing it back onto your brush, face and other products.
4You Don't Clean Your Brushes When They Fall On The Ground
In an interview with Romper, makeup artist Angelique Eugene says dropping your brush on the ground and using it is a makeup hygiene no-no. Though it may not seem like a big deal, all the dirt, grit, and bacteria found on floors are picked up by that brush and quickly placed onto your skin.
5You Keep Your Makeup Too Long
Makeup artist Krystal Dillet tells Romper that you shouldn't be keeping your makeup past its designated shelf life. "The packaging shows how long the makeup will last," she says. "At the bottom of the packaging, there's a pic of a jar and it tells you anywhere between three to 24 months that this product will be good."
6You Share Your Mascara
Hill also tells Romper that sharing your mascara is a big mistake that women make because it can cause eye infections. "If you're going to use your mascara on anyone other than yourself, be sure to use a disposable spooly," he states.
7You're Sleeping In Your Makeup
Though this one seems like a no brainer, many women still sleep with their makeup on at night. Not only does it stain your pillowcases, it breaks your face out, too. Try putting your makeup remover wipes near your bed in case you're tempted to let this happen.
8You Don't Cleanse Your Skin After Removing Your Makeup
This is another mistake that I used to make. Though many women think that makeup remover wipes are good enough to get all of the makeup off of the face, there's usually always product leftover. Remember to wash your face with your cleanser of choice after removing your makeup.
9You Store Your Makeup In The Bathroom
According to The Every Girl, storing your makeup in the bathroom can dry out your products and make them more prone to collecting bacteria. Instead, store them in a cool, dry place to keep them fresh and clean.
10You Don't Clean Your Makeup Bag
I never cleaned my makeup bag, but I'm so glad I changed that habit. As with your brushes, your makeup bag can hold on to bacteria, too. There's really no use of cleaning your brushes and putting them back in a dirty bag, so make it your point to clean your bag often as well.
11You Leave Your Makeup Open
According to Newnan Dermatology, leaving your makeup open can allow bacteria to easily get in. Be sure that you're closing up your products tightly after each use.
