Shine OnSimple makeup mistakes that can harm your health
Close-up celebrity photos might give the appearance that applying makeup is a breeze, when in fact, anyone who’s ever been guilty of clumps of mascara or overly dark cheekbones knows isn’t not as easy as it seems. Aside from common aesthetic mistakes, there are some makeup techniques and routines that are potentially harmful.
Take some tips from the pros to keep looking fabulous while safely applying, storing, and discarding makeup.
Mind the shelf life
There are no regulations or requirements for manufacturers in Canada or the United States to print expiration dates on the labels of cosmetic products. Makeup should be discarded after a period of time because of the potential for bacterial growth.
“Because of repeated microbial exposure during use by the consumer and the risk of eye infections, manufacturers usually recommend discarding mascara two to four months after purchase,” according to the U.S. Food and Drug Association. “If mascara becomes dry, discard it. Do not add water or, even worse, saliva to moisten it, because that will introduce bacteria into the product.”
If you have an eye infection, see a doctor, stop using all eye-area cosmetics, and discard those you were using when the infection occurred.
The product with the shortest lifespan is mascara, says Heather Huntingford, owner and head buyer at North Vancouver’s Kiss and Makeup, a beauty and lifestyle boutique that specializes in natural makeup products.
“You should start with a fresh tube every three months and avoid pumping the wand in and out of the tube, which exposes the mascara to drying airborne bacteria,” Huntingford says. “Eye and lip pencils can be kept for years because of frequent sharpening; powder eye shadow and blush are other great long-term purchases.
“The best thing you can do to prolong the life of your makeup is to always apply skincare and cosmetics with clean hands or tools,” she adds. “Close lids securely and keep makeup in a cool dark place to prolong the fresh factor.”
Watch your makeup for changes in texture or colour, which are usually indicators that it’s time for a new product, Huntingford suggests.
“Natural or otherwise, an oil-based foundation will last longer than a water-based one,” she says. “Products that are dispensed by pump rather than pot are the most sanitary.”
Never share makeup with anyone.
Care for your cosmetics
“You want to keep products away from direct sunlight, high temperatures, and humidity,” says Vancouver makeup artist Tina Wu. “Any of these will change the composition of products and might cause growth of bacteria as well.
“You want to keep your tools clean,” she adds. “People use dirty brushes to apply makeup, not realizing they can cause breakouts, red eyes, allergies, or infection. Then when they dip those brushes back into cream products, it contaminates the entire product.”
Aside from skin sensitivities, health issues, and environmental factors, the natural vs. synthetic question comes into play most significantly with brushes, Huntingford says.
“Natural brushes need to be washed once a month, while synthetic brushes should be cleaned each week,” she notes.
Read the label—and understand the ingredients
The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database is a comprehensive resource of what’s in more than 68,000 products, many of which are toxic. Some contain industrial plasticizers called phthalates and parabens, which are preservatives.
“You always want to make sure to read the labels on the products and be aware what might be harmful to the skin,” Wu says. “Avoid anything that has no clear labels or instructions on the packaging. A lot of colour products from unknown brands might consist of cheap ingredients and stain the skin.
“Also, know what you are allergic to,” she says. “For instance, people who are allergic to alcohol should avoid anything that contains alcohol.”
Approach your eyes carefully
Though rare, improper make-up application can lead to injury to the cornea, which is the front part of the eye’s surface.
“Keep eyeliner pencils sharpened so that the rough wood casing won’t scratch the eye or eyelid,” says Houston-area board-certified oculoplastic surgeon Mirwat Sami. “As the pencil becomes old, the liner tip becomes stiff, requiring more pressure to apply. When this happens, replace the pencil with a new one.”
“Corneal injuries usually cause pain and always necessitate quick medical attention,” she adds.
Sami also recommends applying eye makeup outside the lash line, away from the eye, to avoid blocking the oil glands of the upper or lower eyelid. These glands secrete oil that protects the eye’s surface.
Be careful when using glitter
“If you tend to have dry eyes, metallic or glitter powder or other makeup that flakes,” Sami says. “Flakes can get into the tear film and increase your eyes’ irritation. Glitter eye makeup is a common cause of corneal irritation or infection, especially in contact lens users.”
Use proper tools and use cosmetics for their intended purpose
“I see people using shaping knife to do their brows,” Wu says. “You need to make sure to sanitize the knife before and after each use to avoid infections from getting cut.”
People who are allergic to nickel should not use an eyelash curler, as the metal frame contains the material, Sami notes.
“Don’t mix and match cosmetics,” Sami adds. “Use what’s intended for your eyes on your eyes only. Don’t use the same pencil for both lips and eyes, or your lipstick as your eye shadow, as that can introduce bacteria.”
