WASHINGTON — Hollywood put on its best face for the Oscars — literally.
Makeup artists spent hours turning up the glamor to make sure all the stars shined on the red carpet. But it’s not enough to look great: The pros say you also need to know how to apply the stuff safely — especially around the eyes.
There are general rules for knowing when to pitch powders, creams and blushes, but Flaminia Garioni, the makeup artist behind some of D.C.’s most memorable faces, says the threat is not posed by the makeup itself. “It is actually the tools that you use,” she says.
Garioni’s pet peeve is women using the tiny brushes and sponges included in makeup packaging, time after time, without washing them thoroughly or swapping them out.
That’s because a dirty brush dipped in powder transfers germs and oil. And the problem only gets worse when it’s a lotion or cream-based product.
“If you have a cream that you are dipping your hands into, I would definitely recommend just a good old Q-tip or something disposable,” Garioni says.
She uses her hand as a palette for concealers and makeup of similar consistency — such as lip gloss — and then uses a clean brush to apply the product to the face.
Garioni, the owner of Fyubi Makeup and Brow Studio, on U Street NW, says the most important thing makeup wearers can do is wash those brushes and sponges regularly with a few drops of mild shampoo and some lukewarm water.
Brushes used for powders should be washed every couple of weeks — weekly for those used on the eyes. Any brush that is used on a regular basis for fluids or creams should be washed at least every few days.
It’s general makeup wisdom that mascara needs to be pitched every three months, though some tubes can go a little longer. The same time frame goes for a liquid eyeliner product that comes with its own applicator.
However, Garioni says, if you use your own brush for eyeliner and clean it often, you can use the product a lot longer. This option is more sanitary and you can save money in the long run.
