Look Inside My Kit

Here we are in August and production work is beginning to open up in New York City. Which means, I get to go back to work!

There has been a lot of anxiety brewing within the professional beauty community on how to safely get back to work. For one, we have to work in such close proximity to our clients, so social distancing is not really an option for us. Two, there is such a limited amount of information pertaining to safety industry standards that we should be implementing for work in the new normal.

But we’re makeup artists, so problem solving is part of our job description, right? I have done the dance of late night research sessions, speaking with fellow industry professionals, sanitation and sterilization classes/certifications, and breathing in and out of a paper bag (haha). Only one thing seems to be consistent across the board - as we learn more about the nature of COVID-19, we’ll have to adjust our methods and our approach to how we service our clients. That, and wear a freaking mask!

First things first - whenever I am approached for a gig, I make sure that the client or production crew can accommodate the extra time I will need to properly clean, disinfect and sanitize my work station, tools, and products. Given the current climate, this is usually not an issue but is extremely important to bring attention to. Proper sanitation takes time, especially when accounting for proper contact time (the amount of time it takes for your disinfectants to fully sanitize).

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When I first arrive on set (with my mask on), the first things I pull out of my kit are the things that do exactly this. I have a pouch that contains disposable gloves, Clorox wipes, 70% alcohol, extra hand sanitizer, and disposable station mats. By having these readily available, it minimizes any contamination of my kit because I can disinfect my work station and talent chair right when I get to set. I used to keep a clean towel on hand to lay over the work station and keep anything from my kit touching the surface, but I’ve recently taken up disposable station mats instead (aka disposable diaper changing mats...shhh). I also keep my face shield readily available so I can protect my clients and myself from the get-go.

I’ve had to completely reconsider how I pack everything in my kit. While I love my Zuca artist bags, many of them have fabric components to them that are difficult to completely sanitize. I’ve switched everything to non-porous, plastic containers for ease of disinfecting. Brush holders with flip lids are also something I’ve integrated into my kit, so that I can prevent any airborne contamination to my brushes while I’m working. Separate actor bags are also a great idea for keeping brushes and products you’ve used on one person contained. If you’re on a job that requires multiple touch ups, have a plastic palette with empty pans to scoop their products in, so you’re not constantly reaching for (and exposing) product out of your kit. My disposables are now stored in separate plastic baggies so that they don’t get exposed on set (I used to store them in a single box with dividers that I kept open on my work station).

And of course, I’ve been depotting my products like crazy. Not only does depotting save you a ton of space and weight in your kit, but it also keeps your products safe from contamination because you’re forced to safely transfer what you need onto a palette. Take this great advice from Grishan Roof, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles - set up your kit in a way that it forces you to stay sanitary. In addition to this, I have made the commitment to use mostly cream or liquid products for the time being. Generally it’s easier to transfer creams or liquids from their containers, therefore reducing the chances of cross-contamination. However, if I absolutely have to use any pressed powder products (like eyeshadows or blush), the safest way I’ve seen is to rub the pan with a lint-free cotton round, and pick up the pigment with a brush from the cotton round.

So my actual set up looks something like this:

Zineland Studios in Brooklyn, NY

My rule with my set ups now is to pull only what you will be using on your talent or client, and keep all other containers fully closed for the duration of the service. This practice will help minimize any contamination to ALL the products in your kit and will also be easier for you to keep track of what was used on your client. Once you’re finished, transfer everything that was used into their actor bag to keep it separated. If you forget something at the start of your service or need more of something, make sure your hands are completely sanitized before you go to grab it.

In addition to these practices, I will also be implementing two new practices with my clients:
1) review and sign a COVID-19 Declaration Form. This form briefly outlines safe behaviors and practices of both client and makeup artist during the service, and ensures that neither parties exhibit symptoms or has been exposed to the virus.
2) face the client or talent away from the work station of the makeup artist to prevent airborne contamination


So when the job is over, leave all the brushes you’ve used in their separate actor bags so you can do a proper deep clean at home. Clean the casing and any product you’ve used directly on clients (like brow pencils) with 70% alcohol. If you have any doubts about the cleanliness of any product, do NOT put it back into your kit in case they’ve accidentally become contaminated until you’re able to get home and reassess. As a courtesy for your client or production crew’s safety, sanitize your work area again once you’ve packed up your kit. Don’t forget the sides of tables, mirrors, and chairs!

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This is a learning process for all of us - makeup artist or not. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Just use your best judgment and inform that judgment from the professionals that study this stuff for a living. Things will change the more we gain understanding about this virus and its behaviors. If you’ve heard any great advice for sanitizing, or if you’re a makeup artist working in the new normal, what are some practices that you’ve used? Or maybe you’re in the regulating-your-breathing-in-a-paper-bag-stage like I was a few months ago; do you have any questions? I’d love to hear them in the comments below!

*Here is a link to most of the products I’ve purchased to restructure my kit. Not all of the products are exact, but some are very similar alternatives to things I picked up in stores pre-COVID: Kit Essentials

Self Love Series [Flower in the Sun]

Welcome to the first look for my self love series!

The first phase I want to share with you is what I could consider my “hippie/raver” phase.

2013, I had asked to do a “Janis Joplin inspired” shoot.
photographer: Meagan Abell

THE BACKSTORY:

These years made up the last two years I was in college. I had always been a diligent student all throughout my life. High marks throughout high school, got into the college I wanted with early admission, and always held education at the highest priority.

But honestly I was on my way to being burnt out. My parents were proud of my accomplishments; I was on the precipice of graduating and a career in mental health. I felt no excitement anymore, and it felt like I was just going through the motions. 

I came home to Virginia for the summer after my junior year at college and got in touch with some old friends from high school. One in particular had been hearing about these music festivals where attendees would come out to these big empty fields, set up a tent, and dance and meet new people all weekend. The idea was so scary and intimidating for me at first. At the same time it was so enticing. It was something I never thought I would do because it was so opposite of everything from my experiences at that point. I decided to go.

THE IMPACT:

That weekend changed my life. I met so many people from all different walks of life. People that could so freely just live in that moment, genuinely enjoy music and each other’s company. It was like all guards were down, people watched out for each other and shared their supplies and shelter if one was without. I felt like I was in my own version of Woodstock and it was liberating. It opened up a new level of consciousness for me.

When I came home I wanted to emulate more of this in my life. I relaxed a little, I was open to more experiences and delved into astrology as a means to discover more about the complexities of my personality. When the time came to return to school, I continued to go to music festivals and raves (safely, of course). I fell in love with all of the color, the costumes people would wear, and the liberation of no holds barred self expression. This time of my life really solidified the belief for me that everyone has a right and space to express themselves exactly as they choose (and I still managed to graduate college in the top 15% of my class).

ART INFLUENCES:

I discovered and fell in love with Art Nouveau as an art movement around this time because it physically encapsulated all that I felt from this time. It is aesthetically beautiful, pulls design aspects from nature, and has a movement and flow to it that represents life itself. I was learning at this time to go more with the ebb and flow of life and to appreciate the beauty in everything that presented itself to me.

I also really fell in love with Janis Joplin. Her emotion was so palpable, her voice so raw without the frill of music “niceties”. She was the embodiment of living and expressing herself so authentically during her lifetime. The same could be said of Amy Winehouse, who I also started in heavy rotation on my playlist around this time.

BEHIND THE MAKEUP:

When I started this look, I wanted to incorporate the free flowing line work in Art Nouveau and the colorful palette from the raves I went to. Since these two worlds collided for me at the same time, I wanted to take elements from both and make one look out of them. I used a touch of blush colored eyeshadow for the cheeks, under the chin, and across the nose for that nostalgic summer sun-kissed touch. 

2020

PRODUCTS USED:
Suva Beauty Hydra Liner in “Space Panda”
Anastasia Beverly Hills Norvina Mini Pro Pigment Palette Vol. 1
Juvia’s Place The Tribe palette
Pat McGrath Mothership Subversive La Vie En Rose Palette
Benefit Gimme Brow in Shade 6
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Lip Pop
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in “Fenty Glow"
Mari Shten Beauty strip lashes in “MAYE” and individuals in “She’s Extra”

MY ESSENTIALS PLAYLIST:
Janis Joplin
old school house music
John Butler Trio
Jefferson Airplane
Zedd’s “Clarity” album
Amy Winehouse

Corona Virus and the Makeup Chair

Hello all future and returning clients, talent, and production crews,

Yesterday marked Phase 2 of the reopening of NYC. While I’m excited to be heading back to work soon (I’ve been in self-isolation since the middle of March y’all!), I understand that moving forward must look different than prior services in order to ensure the safety of all clients/talent and anyone else on set. I wanted to write this post to open up the lines of communication with anyone who will be sitting in my chair in the future.

When I first began my career, the very first thing I researched were sanitary practices. I knew that by taking on the role of makeup artist, my first and highest responsibility was to ensure the health and safety of my clients. No one should leave any professional’s chair with negative repercussions due to neglect and miseducation of appropriate sanitary practices.

As some of you may already know, I decided to further my education in makeup artistry in 2017 by attending The Make-up Designory in New York City. I wanted to train at a top accredited school with instructors who had valuable experience working in the fashion and film industries. I knew I had made the right choice when the first lessons were dedicated to proper sanitation techniques, and were upheld throughout my training there. I learned more in depth about the chemistry of proper sanitation and further solidified the sanitation practices I had already been practicing throughout my career.

I understand that there will be a lot of anxiety and caution involved with makeup services as we continue to navigate post COVID-19. I use the phrase “post COVID-19” lightly, because at this point in time we have no factual evidence that the virus is completely eradicated. I encourage anyone who chooses me as their makeup artist to please feel free to ask me any questions.

I have used the time in self-quarantine to engage in multiple avenues of education in order to conduct makeup services that keeps everyone safe in this new normal. In addition to keeping my hands, tools, and products sanitized to prevent cross contamination, I will be taking additional cautionary measures to ensure the safest possible service.

Some practices I will be upholding moving forward:

• bringing a thermometer on set to ensure that my temperature is normal

• personally getting tested for COVID-19 to ensure my clients that I have returned to work negative

• requesting additional time from production or clients/talent to properly sanitize and disinfect before the first client, in between all clients/talent, and after production wraps

• sanitizing and disinfecting any and all surface areas that I will be working on, as well as the chairs that my clients will be sitting in

• working on disposable mats so that products and tools do not physically touch any surface area and will be changed between clients

• wearing a mask properly at all times while on set

• maintaining social distancing practices at all times while on set

• requesting that prior to any makeup service given, that all clients review and sign a COVID-19 Declaration Form, which further outlines safety practices that both the client and I as the makeup artist engage while we are in a service together, as well as the symptoms of COVID-19 so that any client may review and seek medical attention should they be experiencing any of these symptoms

• offering to reschedule a service for any client that may be experiencing symptoms or have had the possibility of exposure to COVID-19

I hope this provides some comfort to anyone reading this who is considering getting makeup services. As always my hope for my clients is that they feel confident leaving my chair, and this includes feeling confident that their service with me ensures their health and well-being.

See you soon,

Meeza