Santation Should Never be a Luxury: My Professional Makeup Sanitation Process
When you sit in a makeup chair, you’re trusting someone with your skin, your eyes, and your overall health, not just your appearance. As a professional makeup artist, sanitation is one of the most important parts of my job, even though it’s something most clients never see.
Beautiful makeup starts with a clean, safe environment. Here’s exactly what that looks like in my kit.
Why Sanitation Matters
Makeup is applied to some of the most vulnerable areas of the face: the eyes, lips, and freshly prepped skin. These areas are especially susceptible to bacteria, viruses, and irritation. Without proper hygiene, makeup tools and products can easily transfer breakouts, styes, cold sores, and other infections from one client to another.
That’s why professional sanitation isn’t optional… it’s foundational.
Single-Use Tools Are Non-Negotiable
Any product that comes into contact with eyes, lips, or cream formulas is applied with a disposable tool. Mascara wands, lip applicators, and cream product spatulas are used once and thrown away after every client.
Nothing goes directly from the tube to your face. This prevents bacteria from entering products and keeps each application clean and controlled.
All Products Are Disinfected
Creams, liquids, and powder palettes are sanitized between every client using 70% alcohol disinfectants. These sprays are designed specifically for professional kits, they kill bacteria, viruses, and fungus while remaining safe for skin and product formulas.
Products are sprayed and allowed to sit for the required contact time before being used again. This step is essential for maintaining a hygienic kit.
Brushes Are Fully Cleaned, Not Just Wiped
Brushes go through a full sanitation process after each client. This includes washing them with antibacterial brush cleanser, disinfecting them, and allowing them to dry completely before their next use.
Quick sprays and wipes are not enough on their own, moisture and residue left in bristles can allow bacteria to grow. Proper drying is just as important as proper washing.
Hands, Palettes & Work Surfaces
Sanitation doesn’t stop at makeup tools. Before touching a client’s face, I sanitize my hands and clean my mixing palette and work area. This ensures that no bacteria is transferred from my hands or my kit onto freshly prepped skin.
Why This Level of Care Matters
When sanitation is done correctly, it protects your skin, your eyes, and your overall experience. Breakouts, irritation, and infections are not caused by makeup — they’re caused by improper hygiene.
When you book with Makeup with Anna K, you’re not just investing in how your makeup looks. You’re investing in how it’s applied.
My Favorite Professional Sanitation Products
I have curated a list of my must-have products to keep sanitation a priority in my kit. Shop my suggestions here.
