Five weeks ago during the beginning of the Zoom meeting of my Makeup Artist and Stylist Mentoring Course, Spring Edition, I began a conversation about being prepared for when we go back to work. While there are many professions that can work 6 feet apart, there are some that simply cannot, and one of those professions is makeup artistry.
I’ve been a makeup artist for a long time (since 1977 when I first got my first paid assignment and 1979, my first full time job in makeup at a department store after graduating high school). Makeup artistry is an intimate profession. You are close to the clients your service because you are applying products to their face. In order to do this correctly and to focus on the important details, as the makeup artist it’s important to be able to see the skin and the effect to the products you are using.
What can makeup artist do we do, if we cannot social distance?
- Keep kit clean, organized and sanitized (always)
- Wear a mask (always)
- Wear a face shield (if needed)
- Do not apply makeup to the back of the hand
- Use a hand mixing makeup palette
- Wear gloves
- Use finger cots
- Remove cream and products with a spatula (always)
- Disinfect and sanitize product, tools and equipment used between clients (always)
- Use disposable sponges, applicators (always)
- Use 1 set of brushes per client (keep them in a separate pouch with client’s name to use for the day)
- Stand to the side of the client instead of the front.
- Wash hands often and use hand sanitizer.
“Don’t just tell them, show them that you are taking extra steps to be sure that their safety is as much as a priority as the service you deliver.” – Lorrie Pearson MUA
Is there anything else that would help?
Yes, it is so important to arrive to work, early, dressed professionally, and ready to work.
- Always clean and sanitize your work station before setting up.
- Request a space where only you and your client can work away from others.
- Do not set your products directly on the surface station, instead, place them on a mat or tray.
- Do not remove everything from your makeup bag, only take out what you need.
- Do not leave your products open. Keeping them closed, is best.
- Don’t leave your kit unattended.
- Don’t allow others to take from your kit.
- Use a cover to place over your products and station if you need to walk away, even temporarily.
- Do not put anything back into your kit that is not cleaned and sanitized.
- Follow social distancing rules when working around others on set, even your client, unless you need to service him or her.
There is more
Social distancing, sanitation, cleaning and disinfecting don’t begin when you go back to work. These procedures should have already been put into to place and should be a part of your daily routine. We have to take care of ourselves so that we are ready to take care of our clients.
- Practice social distancing at home and on set
- Take care of your body and health – you cannot go to work sick.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Get Covid Certified. – There are classes offered on Barbicide; Sanitation Conversation, World Health Organization, Milady Pro and others that offer trainings, some at no cost to help you learn how to work safe.
Do you have suggestions I didn’t include?
I would love to add more helpful suggestions. If there is something you feel I should have included, please let me know in the comments.
Thank you for your post. It is useful for anyone who is interested in protecting theirselves in this special time. In many situations it is hard to have social distance. Your guidelines are helpful.
I like your description: Don’t just tell them, show them that you are taking extra steps to be sure that their safety is as much as a priority as the service you deliver. Doing it is much more important than saying it. Your list of action is useful for all. Though we still have risk of contacting corona, we should not let the virus defeat us, we need to work hard and together to move our life forward and upward. Only by doing meaningful task could we then meet our goal to have a great life for all of us.
If we all do the same this as you, I am confident that we will win the battle against corona very soon.
Thank you, Anthony for your comments. My goal is to help others think and plan proactively. We will win the battle working together.
Thanks for bringing this topic here, when you talk about social distancy I believe is impossible to make up artist, barbers and a lot more. When I feel for us all to be save is to always maintain good hygiene, they some business organizations that cannot operate if all the guidelines must be met by all. Thanks for sharing this here
Hi PeterGeorge5666
Thank you for your comments, I really appreciate it. You’re right, practicing good hygiene is extremely important. And, yes there are many professions where the rules of social distancing is much more complex than it’s realized.
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Mondayjosep,
I appreciate you! Thank you for your beautiful comments. I am so happy you find my information helpful.
I hope you have signed up to receive notification when I create new posts. Thanks again
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Hello Skuchmane,
Thank you for taking time to read my post. I appreciate your comments.
I am happy that I have offered you something worth sharing
thanks for this well written article, this is definitely a question a makeup artist would ask as it is almost quite impossible to ensure social distancing between his or her client, i am really pleased on the ways you highlighted on how to maintain social distancing as a makeup artist. will do well to share this article with my makeup artist and ensure she shares with her colleagues as well.
Layefa2,
I appreciate your insight. The issue with social distancing and makeup artistry among other professions continue to arise. Some states are delivering strenuous guidelines, which are fine, but some are unreasonable. Such as, “you can apply makeup as long as both you and the client are wearing a mask” then, how do I apply her blush and lip color? If it’s a bride, for example, she most likely wants a complete makeup application.
Hello there thanks for his insightful review it was really helpful. Indeed the outbreak of this pandemic has really restricted a lot of things. It is however possible for makeup artists to keep their tools clean and as well put on necessary protective wears but it is not possible to to keep social distancing with customers.
Hi Philebur,
Great question! And thanks for your comment. Yes, we can put on protective gear, keep our tools clean. But when you think about it, when a makeup artist is putting makeup on someone they need to be close to the person. The only way there is an exception is teaching someone to do it themselves. In that case you simply tell them what to do step by step. But when someone hires me to work on an ad campaign or for a wedding, the only way to apply the makeup is to be next to the client.
For men who don’t wear makeup, think about it as getting a hair cut, there is no way the barber can cut your hair standing six feet away from you, right?
Thanks again for reading my post.
LP
Oh what a world we live in. Only a few short months ago we were doing what we now refer to as the old normal. The new normal is things that in the past we have only seen in movies.
Its crazy how much extra work you now need to put in your day to make a living.
Thank you for taking the time to see what now goes into your day today in the new normal
Thank you
Hi Dale!
Thank you reading my post and your comment.
I appreciate it.
covid-19 has been a great problem to the world and it affect everyone especially the makeup artist because i don’t think everyone could stay six fit away and also a clean job.
as a worker you need to learn and manage your self with the latest situation because it will help you.
possible for some to stretch hand and be more taller than his or her whole body if you say yes then how could that be.
Thank you for your comment.