COVID19 Hygiene Protocol For Freelance Makeup Artists
As a professional freelance hairdresser and makeup artist who always practices stringent hygiene, I thought it would be helpful to other freelancers to share with you my COVID19 Hygiene Protocol For Freelance Makeup Artists . I have been searching and have found that there is very little guidance and safety information for freelance hair and makeup artists on how to keep our clients and ourselves safe while working with the threat of COVID19.
Understandably our profession is considered a high risk profession. This is due to the fact that we spend a prolonged period of time in very close proximity to our clients. The average time it takes to do a client’s makeup with lashes is around 45 mins. This is considerably longer than the recommended 15mins or less. Plus, not only it is impossible to maintain the recommended 1.5 meter social distancing from our clients, we are constantly touching their faces, the very pathway that is most responsible for transmitting COVID19.
To add to the above, as freelance hair and makeup artists, we are constantly in different studios and houses, and therefore unlike a salon, it is not as easy to maintain hygienic, safe working conditions.
My COVID19 Hygiene Protocol For Freelance Makeup Artists guide below, is designed to inform my clients as to how I will be working to keep them safe, but also what is expected from them, the client, in order that together we can both keep everyone safe and healthy.
I researched this information and was advised personally, by an officer from the Department of Health and Human Services as to what safety practices freelance hair and makeup artists should be implementing in order to stay safe as long as COVID19 is a threat. He also recommended I invest in an infra-red no touch thermometer, and to check my clients temperatures before even entering their doorway. At this stage, here in Australia, I feel that is a little too invasive, but depending on where you are located around the world, this is step you may well want to take.
Another important thing that heeds remembering, is that unfortunately not all our clients are upfront when they are not feeling well, or living with others that are unwell. Our clients in most cases are unable to reschedule their weddings, photoshoots etc, so they are not always going to be forthcoming about their health. Therefore it is up to us the artist, to do the very best we can and take the stance a dentist takes, which is…that every client is a potential carrier of COVID19.
I would also recommend wearing an apron, or outer clothing, and taking these off before you get in your car, then showering and washing these clothes when you get home.
Here in Australia I compiled the below letter to my clients as we have just received the news that on June the 1st we are officially allowed to go back to work here in Victoria, Australia.
Please feel free to use the information outlined in this letter, to put together personalised, official safety letters to your own clients.
COVID19 Hygiene Protocol For Freelance Makeup Artists Letter To Clients
Dear Client, 15.5.2020
I am looking forward to working with you, please if you could read through this important information regarding hygiene and safety.
I want to ensure you that due to the COVID-19 pandemic I am taking additional hygiene steps to make sure my clients, myself and our loved ones, stay safe and healthy when I work on you.
You would appreciate that as a hair and makeup artist, especially when doing makeup, my face is in very close proximity with your face for a prolonged period. It is impossible to maintain the 1.5-meter social distancing rule, making us both more at risk, than for example a visit to even your local doctor would be, (GP’s are currently maintaining a distance of 1.5m from patients unless absolutely necessary to examine them).
In order to minimize the risks as much as possible and for your safety as well as mine, I will be following the guidelines & hygiene protocols outlined to me by the Department of Health and Human Services State Government of Victoria. and according to this article by Hair Stylist Australia
I am sorry if this seems extreme, but times are different now and this sadly is the new normal for freelance hairdressers and makeup artists.
CLIENTS SAFETY MEASURES
- It is very important that you inform me in advance, if you or any other clients/models/talent, I will be working on, and also just as importantly if anyone in your/their households are unwell, or self-isolating because they are at risk of becoming unwell with COVID-19.
- On the day of your booking I will send a quick text before we meet, to ensure that everyone I will be working on and who you/they live with or are in close contact with are all healthy and well.
*Please, it is important to let me know even if you have slight symptoms, such as a headache, or a scratchy throat, or if you have been in contact with anyone who is linked to a COVID19 suspected case. I know it could mean missing out on getting your hair and makeup done, but everyone’s health is understandably much more important, plus I have a compromised immune system. Of course, I would also let you know if I have any illness and let you make the call if you want me to come.
- I would also please ask my clients to wash/disinfect their hands before sitting down with me and if I am doing your hair, that you wash it just before I arrive for your appointment and please make sure it is free of all product.
MY SAFETY MEASURES
- As advised by the DHHS, I will be wearing a full-face shield along with a disposable P2/N95 face mask as I work on you.
- I will wash and disinfect my hands before I start work on you and after finishing.
- I will disinfect every surface, product and piece of equipment I touch, or that touches any clients with a 85% ethanol alcohol , or a TGA approved disinfectant such as Viraclean, known to be effective against COVID19. This include hairbrushes, blow-dryers, curling irons and straighteners, clips and combs etc. Due to this, extra time will be needed between each client to do this.
- I will be taking every measure I can to ensure no cross-contamination of my products. Including not double dipping in any products. Scraping out onto a disposable palette all the products I will use on you. This is a practice I have been actively doing for years with makeup, but now will also do with hair pomades and waxes.
Please if you can ensure all those that I will be working with doing either their hair or makeup read through this letter, and this includes models booked for fashion, advertising and portfolio shoots.
Please if you could send this email to the models/clients prior to the day and if you can provide me with their phone numbers so I can text them on the morning of the job to ensure they are healthy.
Therefore I will need a little extra time to do each person’s hair and makeup. This is in order to allow for disinfecting my products and tools before doing the next client.
Once again, I am sorry if the above is a little overwhelming, but it is to ensure the health and safety of all of us, while allowing me to still do a good job for you.
Cheers
Nicole
Nicole Groch Cruelty Free Hair & Makeup
nicole’s work on instagram | nicole groch portfolio
*For a list of ethical, accredited cruelty free cosmetics brands visit https://crueltyfreeinternational.org/choose-cruelty-free-ccf-list-brands
Before you leave, if you enjoyed this article sign up to LivingSafe and stay informed! LivingSafe helping you live healthier & safer.
Some other personal care articles you may find interesting are;
Mineral Makeup Benefits vs Conventional Makeup
Health Risks Of Using Cosmetic Testers, Old Makeup & Sharing Your Makeup. What You Can Catch!
Animal Testing Of Cosmetics Do Your Part To Stop It