Germs in your compact box?
Make-up brushes and applicators can easily carry bacteria from one person to another. In fact, moist and dark containers maintain an ideal temperature to allow such germs to thrive. "Sometimes, the compact sponge can get soggy and if you do not wash it and dry it well, it is bound to be a thriving ground for bacteria." People who suffer from sensitive skin conditions such as acne and pimples, must make it a point to wash the make-up brush every now and then."Hard bristles of the applicator brush can poke the acne areas. So, best is to keep those brushes only for yourself, and do not share it other women, who suffer from similar skin problems,"

Keep the kohl liner for yourself
You should never share lip and eye products, which come in frequent contact with the more easily infected areas of the body. Next time the girl at the cosmetic store asks you to buy new applicators, don't think she is trying to dupe you into buying more. It's with good reason that one buys disposable applicators, which are available at most cosmetics shops.

Check the expiry date
Not disposing off makeup as per the expiry date, can also cause infections. Old cosmetics should be thrown out and replaced as needed. Interestingly, expiration dates vary between products, with liquid make-up reaching its expiry date much faster than compact powder.

Mmascara and kohl liners are especially important, as it comes in close contact with your eyes and can easily cause an infection. "You must clean out your make-up collection on a regular basis, but the extra effort is well worth it to keep your skin and eyes healthy." Small reddish boils, eye infections and also lip infections are all commonly associated with sharing make-up.

A hygienic routine is a must
It's a good idea to understand that make-up and hygiene also go hand-in-hand.

In a rush to catch the local train or making it on time at workplace, many women get so involved in their routines that they may not even realise that what they're doing each morning is, in fact, putting them at risk of skin infections.

It's also important to know where you store your cosmetics. Don't keep it in accessible place, where kids can touch it and tamper with it. Young daughters often try wearing lipsticks and mascaras. It makes sense to keep it out her reach. Make sure that you close your make-up containers tightly after using them each day. This helps keep the product in good, safe condition for a longer period of time.

Keywords: Beauty and fashion, beauty care, face makeup, eye makeup, eye makeup