If you’re going through cancer treatment, applying makeup can be risky business. One slip with a pair of dirty tweezers could set you up for a serious infection. One tug with the eyelash curler could leave you with no eyelashes at all. Suddenly that set of styling tools has gone from a harmless batch of brushes to a dangerous stash of weapons!
Okay, so we’re being a bit dramatic, but the point is, you have to be a little more careful while your immune system is waging the fight of its life. Here are a few tips for choosing the safest makeup tools to use on your fragile skin.
Brushes: Your fingers may have worked in the past, but fingernails trap bacteria, so if you haven’t already, get yourself a set of brushes-at the very least, a blush brush, eye shadow brush, eyebrow powder brush, face powder brush, and a lip brush. Go for the softest you can find. Natural brushes are usually made with real hair from squirrels, goats, horses, minks, badgers, or a combination of these. (If you’re allergic to any of these, you may want to opt for synthetic fibers.) Natural bristles usually-but not always-give a softer, more natural finish to your makeup, and make even distribution easier.
Synthetic brushes are usually made with Taklon or nylon, with no hair from animals, but depending on the quality, they can become cakey and goopy with makeup, which raises your risk of infection. Low-quality bristles also tend to harden more quickly. If you choose synthetic, feel the bristles, make sure they’re soft, and go with a high-quality brand.
You may want to buy individual brushes as opposed to those in a set, so that you can test each for quality, and get only what you need. To test, run the brush over the back of your hand. If the bristles get out of shape or fall out, pass it by. As for the handles, look for wood that feels good in your fingers, and lacks the chemicals of plastic. Try those from Totally Organic or Pristine Planet.
Cotton Balls: Choose the jumbo-sized, whispy soft real cotton balls. They absorb better than synthetic and are softer on your skin.
Tweezers: Besides the eyelash curler, this is one of the most dangerous makeup tools while you’re going through chemo or radiation. To lower your risk of cuts or other wounds, set aside your pointed-nose tweezers and choose something that won’t cut your skin. Try Ergo-Tweez Tapered Flat Tips, which have a soft foam cushion grip, Manicure4u rounded tweezers, or Tweezerman round-tip tweezers.
Sponges: Again, we’d recommend the natural materials. Try Max Factor Natural Cosmetic Sponge, or Natural Bath and Body Caribbean Silk Sponges. Be sure to dispose of them every time to reduce risk of bacteria buildup.
Eyelash Curler: If you’re losing your hair due to treatment, you could lose your eyelashes too. An eyelash curler during this time can be enemy #1 to your lashes! Use a rounded-rubber curler gently and only when you need to (try Shu Uemura’s curler), or try warming a spoon in hot water, dry it, and push the curved part of the spoon against the lashes to curl.
Wash Your Brushes: While going through treatment, wash at least once a week. In addition to keeping you safe from infection, it will extend the life of your brushes. You can mix vinegar with water (two parts water to one part vinegar), dip your brushes in, scrub a bit, then rinse off with running water and allow to air dry hanging over the edge of the sink. You can also use lukewarm water and a small amount of natural shampoo or gentle bath soap. Let the brush soak in the soapy water, rub gently, then rinse until the water runs clear and air dry.
Do you have a favorite quality makeup tool? Let us know.
Photo courtesy of widowmkr via Flickr.com.
