Keeping makeup clean - YouLookFab Forum

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Keeping makeup clean

Gigi

Veteran

I recently bought a lot of high-priced makeup (natural and organic...you can imagine the cost!), and I want to make sure I keep the stuff as clean as possible with regard to finger and skin oils. The foundation bottle is good, because it's a pump and I don't have to put my finger in the bottle, but the blush is a cream blush, and it doubles as a lipstick. The concealer is the same kind of cream product, where you generally stick your fingers in it.

Do any of you have tips for keeping your fingers out of the makeup, to avoid contamination with dirt and oils over time? I thought I would be smart with just using a brush instead of my fingers, but the gal at the beauty store said that I will just be transferring my face oils (or already-applied foundation, etc.) back to the product via the brush. She said you can buy little plastic scoops, but I don't like the idea of throwing away all that plastic. Plus, I have to find a place to store a big bag of them, presumably.

I looked online and found something called a metal beauty spatula, which may be what I need. It would be nice if I could also get what I think is called a makeup palette, which is a small metal tray. You use the spatula to scoop out all the product (foundation, blush, lipstick, etc.) you need onto the palette, and then you can make your face up in one fell swoop, without having to keep going back to the jars. I have a cognitive problem that would make this "grouping" technique (scoop out all the product first, then put it all on) very welcome.

Do any of you use these types of things to keep your makeup clean? Do you know of any household implements that could substitute for the metal spatula and palette (I've found a few places that offer these tools online, but they don't seem to be available in local stores)? Do you have any tips or tricks for keeping your makeup free of skin oils or for avoiding transferring already-applied makeup back to your product jar if you're going back to the jar for additional product?

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17 replies

Latest reply was from

cciele

Veteran

I use the underside of a round Lush storage container as a palette (or really, you could use any smooth metal or glass object, like petri dish or something). As far as scoops go, I have some that came from other beauty products, so that's not very helpful!

I remember an SA telling me once to retain the plastic insert/protector that comes over power foundations. That way, if you store the applicator poof in the same container, it doesn't touch the product directly.

April

Veteran

It seems like starting with clean hands should help with a lot of these concerns, Gigi. Hands are only dirty because of all the things they touch, but if you wash them well (and if you're super concerned, you could even swipe a finger with an alcohol swab like you buy in the drugstore for prepping an injection site, after washing) you should be okay.

Isabel

Veteran

A spatula or orange wood stick is great. you could swab is off with alcohol before putting it back in. You could also use a stainless steel cuticle pusher that acts as a great scoop. A pill container is also a great way to disburse some make up.

I transfer my cream products into smaller jars. That way I keep contamination at a minimum. I clean out the jars with either face toner or alcohol before putting in another small amount once the first one is done.

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Golden

Veteran

I agree with April, I think clean hands would solve the problem.

deb

Veteran

I just use my fingers. The warmth of the skin helps with the blending. I have not had any problems with my blush. These items are not going into your eyes so I do not think it should be a problem.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

I like brushes - easy to wash every week. But so are hands, and you can wash them more often. Even right before applying makeup.

Gigi

Veteran

Thanks for all the advice, everyone! Yes, washing hands before applying makeup is certainly the main thing and probably the biggest help. :^) And Deb, thanks for the reminder about the skin warmth helping with application. I hadn't taken that into account.

Cciele, maybe I could use the top of an old yogurt container (one of the large ones) for a palette until I find something more permanent. All I could think of using was a saucer from the kitchen, but those are glass and I'm sure I'll shatter it within the first five minutes of use. :^)

Isabel, it sounds like you and I are on the same track! I like your ideas. I have some orangewood sticks but like the idea of how easy metal is to wipe off. I have to run to Target today to return some stuff and will see if they have any stainless steel cuticle pushers that would work.

rachylou

Veteran

So as someone who works in mandatory 'clean' environments, washing your hands is number one. Keep it all out of the bathroom and away from moisture and heat. And respect shelf life dates.

Other than that, I don't want to upset folks, makeup IS dirt and oil in a jar sold for our consumption... Those are just the cold hard facts. Fun dirt mind...

rabbit

Veteran

I use triangular sponge makeup sponges which I run through the dishwasher or washing machine occasionally. My concealer is natural too and in a tube with a brush so I just put a dot on my clean face with the applicator, and then blend with the sponge. For cream products, what about just dabbing a little off the stick with a tissue, putting it on your face and then doing the work on your face? I've not had problems with cream sticks though because I think it's only the very top layer that could get contaminated and that's the part you are constantly removing anyway.

My biggest concern with pricey natural powder based makeup is dropping the compact and having it shatter all over the floor, so I keep them in the cheap plastic case the refill comes in rather than the metal one. That way, if they drop, they bounce :).

Freckles

Veteran

I like the idea of a palette. That way you could still use the warmth of your fingers to apply. If you don't want to use a glass or china dish how about trying a lid from a container you are throwing out. We have tons of yoghurt tub and coffee can lids here.

Gennifyr

What are the brands and names of the products?

Gigi

Veteran

Rabbit, don't even mention dropping things and having them bust! That is so me. Now it is only a matter of time... ;^) I do have some sponges that I've been using. I find that it really helps get an even application of foundation.

Freckles, this morning I used an old yogurt lid as a palette, just like you mentioned :^). The problem is, I save the yogurt containers for freezing stock, so I will need to find something more permanent. But it worked quite well!

Gennifyr, the products I bought are Vapour Atmosphere Foundation, Jane Iredale Circle Delete 2 (concealer), RMS Beauty "Un" Powder (setting powder), Logona Double Eyeliner, Couleur Caramel Long Eyelashes Mascara, Jane Iredale lip gloss, Jane Iredale lip pencil, Jane Iredale pressed blush, and RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek (lip and cream blush in one). The products are very moisturizing and are highly, highly pigmented. In fact, I have to use so little that it's really hard to underdo it. That's why I want to be sure I keep them clean—since I use so little, I'm sure they will last a long time. I'm very sensitive to all kinds of chemicals and so had to get this stuff; even so, I was still highly sensitive to some of the products, especially ones that used red and brown pigment. The SA told me that reds are one of the most irritating pigments for people. I got the products from a local spa called Nature of Beauty (http://www.natureofbeauty.com/). I think that Nordstrom sells the Jane Iredale line too.

Gennifyr

Based on the ingredient list on your items, I wouldn't worry about contamination at all. There's no water in them which is why they didn't need to use a preservative. If you want, use brushes and wash them in between use but other than that, it's really a non-issue.

Also as a PSA for cosmetics, several things to note. Qualifier-I make cosmetics for a living.

1. Natural is not a legal term. It's a marketing term to get people to buy stuff. Everybody has jumped on that bandwagon and pretty much every is taking huge liberties with the term. Besides some that is unprocessed does not mean it's better and safer than lab created. Some things are lab created because we just don't have enough to harvest on the planet to meet the demand. If you want to avoid specific ingredients you have to look at the ingredient list because I've seen lots of processed, lab created ingredients labelled as "natural".

2. Everything is made of chemicals. Nothing is chemical free. Well, except for rainbows.

Gigi

Veteran

Thanks for the input, Gennifyr. It's nice to have someone on the forum who knows about the inner workings of cosmetics! When I was thinking of "contamination," I was thinking more so of transferring bits of one product into the jar of another product—like when you use cream blush on top of foundation and decide you don't have enough cream blush and so go back to the jar with your finger, which probably has some foundation on it by now, due to touching the skin. So I was not worried so much from a health standpoint as from the standpoint of wanting to keep the makeup in as pristine a condition as possible. Using some kind of mixing palette will certainly help that.

I think that the products carried by this spa are not simply "natural" but have things like less plastic packaging, etc., and are not tested on animals. I know that "natural" is not a legal term, but the people who own the spa I think have researched the companies whose lines they carry to see how ethical they are in various ways. Of course, there are a lot of ways to lie. But I think that this spa has done the best they can to pinpoint products that are on the whole safer than the run-of-the mill drugstore brands.

ella

I agree with previous posts that said washing your hands would be the easiest and quickest solutions. If you come up with an overcomplicated routine, you will likely give it up the first time you're doing your make up in a hurry.

Day Vies

Veteran

I use brushes to apply my makeup and I keep the brushes clean (bi-weekly cleaning). I also use disposable cosmetic wedges to apply concealer and liquid foundation.

Anonymous

I use brushes for all my makeup and wash them religiously once a week. For cream blush I use a stippling brush (Real Techniques - I love these brushes!). I use a foundation brush for my pump foundation (one pump on the back of my hand and then dip in the brush). I have a smaller brush for concealer which I squeeze out a tiny amount, again on the back of my hand and then dip the brush in it.

As long as your skin is clean I don't see a problem dipping your brush into the product. They do have spray on cleansers for brushes that you could spray on after each use then do a thorough washing once a week.

Sometimes I do use a q-tip for some of my product, especially when there is not much left in the package.