Permanently Beautiful

We’re careful to check the expiration date when we pick up a quart of milk. We toss leftovers when they start to turn. But our makeup? How many of us layer our faces, eyelids and lips with makeup we’ve had around for more than a year, sometimes many years? Be honest. Is there a reason you’re still making room in your makeup drawer for the purple glimmer eye shadow you loved in high school?’

Germs can grow on any surface, including makeup. Constant use loads your makeup brushes, puffs and sponges with makeup, grime, oil and bacteria. Every time you swipe your face, you’re leaving an unhealthy residue. Share makeup with a friend and you double your risk. Face it. We don’t go around licking our friends’ faces, but we don’t bat an eye at sharing a lipstick.

The only truly safe and healthy makeup is permanent makeup. Artistically applied by permanent makeup artists in a sterile environment, permanent makeup goes on once and stays beautiful 24/7. No more bacteria-laden brushes or sponges. Apply sunscreen-enhanced moisturizer in the morning and you’re good to go.

If you haven’t discovered the advantages of permanent cosmetics, follow these tips:

• Use brushes or sponges, not fingers to apply makeup.
• Wash makeup brushes once a month in warm, soapy water. Rinse, blot, blow dry.
• Sharpen eye pencils after use to expose a germ-free surface. Clean sharpener with alcohol.
• A cold is okay, but toss lipsticks if you get strep throat.