Why Shouldn’t I Be Sharing Makeup?

Sharing makeup with family or friends may seem harmless, but it can be quite damaging to your face. It is a big no-no to share makeup with anyone, regardless of how close you are to them. In school, I often saw my friends sharing makeup in a pinch, but I always knew it was wrong. In this blog, I will explain why sharing makeup is a scary idea. 

One of the most critical steps I'll begin with is taking care of your eyes. It's common knowledge that our eyes are fragile, and it's essential to properly maintain them. Avoid sharing mascara, eyeliner, or eyeshadow to prevent styes, bacterial infections, and pink eye. If you wear contact lenses for vision correction or to alter your eye colour, be cautious as bacteria can accumulate behind the lens, posing serious risks. 

Another thing I am always careful about is sharing any type of lip products. Just because you have known a friend for a long time and have never seen them with any infections on their lips, doesn't mean it's safe to share. Bacteria can be passed between people and can lead to issues like cold sores and rashes around the mouth. For some people, once they have had a cold sore, it becomes easy for them to come back. Sharing lipstick is simply not worth the risk. 

Another significant factor to consider is the hygiene practices of the person you are sharing makeup with. If they do not regularly clean their brushes and other applicators, there is a high chance of them harbouring harmful bacteria. As discussed in our blog on cleaning makeup brushes, these tools can accumulate a significant amount of bacteria if not properly sanitized. Knowing this, it is understandable that you would not want to share makeup with someone who does not take care of their tools. Additionally, it is important to be cautious about using expired makeup. People often forget when they opened products and how long they have been using them, leading to a buildup of bacteria in old makeup. Sharing makeup that is past its expiration date can introduce harmful bacteria into your routine. The next time someone asks to share your makeup, consider these factors before agreeing.