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Healthy Living

This Model's Eye Infection Is A Good Lesson About Bad Makeup Brush Habits

Grab the soap, and don't share your makeup brushes.

It’s important not to share makeup brushes with another person, whether that’s your best friend, roommate, or family member. And if you do, remember to clean them first before using them again.

Australian model Anthea Page says she caught a staph infection in her eye that was caused by makeup artists using unwashed brushes at a fashion show, she wrote on Instagram.

A letter to makeup artists and those getting their makeup done... I'm not going to sit here pretending I don't like modelling or isn't awesome because it really is and I do almost always have fun on jobs. Models have it good most of the time, especially in Australia however there are health/hygiene risks involved for models and anyone using testers or getting their makeup done people can overlook. I have just been on a fashion show job for the past 4 days and unfortunately even though I had observed unhygienic practises and confronted the qualified artists (who I will not name) I still ended up taking home a nasty eye infection from fashion weekend. I do feel my safety concerns were dismissed as if it was part of my job to put up with these unhealthy conditions. My message is not intended to critique the women who I trusted with my eye and skin health but to raise awareness of importance of hygiene practises amongst artists. If you are getting your makeup done or using any testers, check everything has been cleaned to your standard even if someone scoffs at your concerns. This is not my first time receiving an ailment from a dirty makeup brush and unfortunately in my line of work I doubt it will be the last but please be aware of this if you ever come close to a makeup kit so you can keep yourself safe and healthy. 💖 Ps - It been diagnosed as a staff infection by the doctor and I'm now on medication 💖💖 #unretouched #nofilter #fuckingsick

A photo posted by 🐜🇦🇺 (@anthea_page) on

It’s a good reminder for shoppers at makeup counters and retail stores: Make sure you see an artist clean any shared tools and brushes and the surface of any communal cosmetics.

“If you are getting your makeup done or using any testers,” wrote Page, who is treating the infection with medication, “check everything has been cleaned to your standard even if someone else scoffs at your concerns.”

Dirty makeup brushes and expired cosmetics can be a breeding ground for bacteria and also cause acne.

Want to know more about how to clean your brushes? The cleaning agent is likely resting by your kitchen sink. Check out the video below in which HuffPost’s fashion and lifestyle editor Jamie Feldman answers all your beauty questions and discusses best practices for your brushes.

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