Declutter with Me: Spring Cleaning My Professional Makeup Kit

QC Makeup Academy student ambassador Whitney Conn is a student in the Special FX, Airbrush, and Skincare courses. She’s also a proud graduate of the Master Makeup Artistry course.

Now that it’s spring, it’s time to start spring cleaning. We clean our houses from top to bottom, get rid of any unused or old items, and organize what we have left. As a professional makeup artist, your makeup kit is no exception. It’s important to clean and completely sanitize your professional kit for your client’s safety.

I’m going to share with you my cleaning and decluttering routine. I’ll go over what products to purge and how to keep your makeup kit organized.

Read on!

My cleaning routine for my professional makeup artist kit

I start my cleaning routine by emptying all the items in my kit onto a table. This allows me to get into any space where my makeup has been to sanitize it all. Here are all the steps I take in my cleaning routine:

• I spray 99% isopropyl alcohol onto the inside surfaces of my makeup storage case and wipe it all down.
• I then proceed to spray down the outside of all of my makeup containers and palettes.
• If any items have makeup residue left on them, I’ll use makeup remover wipes to clean them.
• I then spray all of the powder products with alcohol to sanitize it.
• I then wipe down all the loose powder with a paper towel.

I keep my handy alcohol bottle in my travel makeup kit at all times. Even though this article is about spring cleaning, I do this routine after every client application.

How I clean my makeup brushes

My brushes are not exempt from my cleaning routine; however, they have their own process. As I go from client to client, I’ll sanitize any brushes that were used with powder makeup with 99% isopropyl alcohol. I can then reuse them on my next client. Any brush used with cream or liquid products should only be used once. If you’re meeting with multiple clients a day, use a new brush for each new client. Brushes used with cream or liquid products must be deep cleaned after each client.

I’ll deep clean my makeup brushes at the end of the day once I’m home. I like to use a combination of white vinegar and baby shampoo to clean my brushes. Starting with warm water, I run the brush under the faucet, careful not to fully soak the brush. I’ll add a small amount of the shampoo/vinegar mixture onto my brush, and use my brush cleaning mat to clean the brushes. Once I rinse the brush, I’ll pat it dry with a towel. Then, I’ll reshape them and leave them to dry on another clean towel.

Part 1 of Whitney Conn’s professional makeup artist kit

When to purge expired or unloved makeup products

I like to go through my professional makeup kit once a month. I’ll ask myself if something needs to be replaced, restocked, or tossed if it’s expired. I find it incredibly helpful to keep a list near my makeup kit of when to discard makeup products.

I can normally recall the time that I purchased each product, so keeping up with the makeup expiration dates isn’t very difficult. By trial and error, I constantly test new products to see if they’re fit to include in my professional kit.

Must-keep products in my professional makeup artist kit

There are some products that I like to call my ride-or-die products. These are products that I will continue to buy throughout my makeup career.

Let’s start with my newest find, Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer. Talk about a pore-, fine lines- and wrinkle-filler! I am in love with this product. This primer creates a smooth canvas to work with and makes the skin look flawless.

Next up, we have RCMA Kevin James Bennett (KJB) Complexion Palette. It’s an amazing cream foundation palette that will forever be one of my favorites!

Last but not least is the Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray. If you haven’t tried this product yet, you need to. I have been using this setting spray on myself and my clients for years. I love how it extends the life of the makeup application.

Part 2 of Whitney Conn’s professional makeup artist kit

How I organize my makeup kit for home storage

Before I started my professional makeup training with QC, I purchased the Ikea Alex Drawer Unit to store my personal makeup. Now, it’s become storage for my professional makeup kit.

I like to use small baskets from the dollar store to keep my drawers organized. They fit perfectly inside the smaller drawers, leaving space for larger products to stand in the larger drawers. As for my Q-tips, disposable applicators, and sponges, I have a portable tool box with small bins that I keep these items in.

At the end of the day taking care of your makeup kit is vital. Keeping it clean shows your clients that you are professional and sanitary. While spring is a great reminder to clean your kit, true professionals know that a cleaning routine must be done regularly.

Do you have any cleaning tips you’d like to share? Leave us a comment!

Now that you’ve cleaned out your kit, it’s time to repack it! Find out the worst ways you can pack a professional makeup kit and avoid these mistakes!