6 Beauty Products You Can Safely Borrow from Your Best Friend
Sharing makeup may seem harmless, but it comes with significant health risks, particularly in spreading bacteria and viruses. Dr. Jessica Wu, a board-certified dermatologist, warns, “When you share makeup, especially products like mascara or foundation, you’re exposing your skin to germs that can lead to infections, breakouts, and even eye problems.
Bacteria from fingers or applicators can easily transfer between users, increasing the likelihood of skin irritation, eye infections, and more severe issues like cold sores or conjunctivitis. To protect your skin and health, it’s best to keep makeup personal and avoid sharing whenever possible.
However, we’ve all been there: rushing out the door and forgetting an essential beauty product, only to wonder, Can I borrow this from my best friend? While there are some beauty items you should absolutely never share (like mascara or lipstick), there are others that are totally safe to borrow. If you want to borrow some of your bestie’s beauty essentials without compromising your skin or health, keep reading!
1. Eyeshadow Palettes: Safe for Sharing
Good news! Eyeshadow palettes are generally safe to borrow. As long as you use clean brushes or applicators, you can borrow a few shades without worry. The formula for eyeshadows is typically pressed powder, which makes it more resistant to contamination than other creamy or liquid products. Just make sure you don’t apply directly from the palette with your fingers!
Pro Tip: If you’re using a friend’s eyeshadow palette, always use your own makeup brush to keep things hygienic.
2. Nail Polish: A Perfect Product to Share
Unlike mascara or lipstick, nail polish is a great product to borrow from your best friend. Since you’re only applying it to your nails, the risk of contamination is much lower. As long as your friend doesn’t have any nail infections or fungal issues, borrowing their nail polish to try out a new color is perfectly fine.
Pro Tip: Make sure to sanitize the nail polish brush with a wipe or alcohol before using it, just to be extra cautious.
3. Blush and Highlighter: Go Ahead and Borrow
Blush and highlighter products are typically powders, which makes them less prone to bacterial growth than creams or liquids. Borrowing a blush or highlighter from a friend is totally safe, especially if you’re using a clean brush to apply it. Cream blushes and highlighters can also be shared, as long as you’re not using fingers or unsanitized tools to apply them.
Pro Tip: For extra peace of mind, apply blush with your own brush to avoid direct contact with the product.
4. Hair Tools: Borrow with Confidence
When it comes to hair tools like straighteners, curling irons, and hairdryers, borrowing from a friend is generally safe. As long as you’re using them on your own clean hair (and they’re in good working condition), the risk of contamination is minimal. Just ensure that the tools are clean before using them to avoid any residue buildup.
Pro Tip: If you’re particularly concerned, give the hair tool a quick wipe with an antibacterial cloth before using it.
5. Setting Spray: Share Without Fear
Setting sprays are a makeup must-have, and fortunately, they are safe to borrow! Since the product is typically sprayed from a bottle, there’s little risk of contamination. It’s always best to avoid using a setting spray that’s been directly applied to someone else’s face, but borrowing the product itself is usually harmless.
Pro Tip: If you’re using a setting spray that’s already been sprayed on your friend’s face, just ensure you’re not touching the nozzle directly.
6. Perfume: The Ultimate Fragrance Exchange
Perfume is a product that is generally safe to borrow from your best friend. It’s applied directly to your skin and doesn’t typically harbor bacteria. As long as the bottle hasn’t been tampered with or exposed to dirt, you can share or borrow perfume with no issues.
Pro Tip: Spray perfume on your wrists or clothes rather than directly on your skin, just in case there’s any allergic reaction.
Why It’s Safe to Share Some Beauty Products
When it comes to sharing beauty products, hygiene is always the first priority. The key difference between products that are safe to borrow and those that aren’t is the application method. Products that are applied directly to sensitive areas like the eyes, lips, or face (where bacteria can easily spread) should not be shared. However, products like blush, eyeshadow, and perfume are less risky since they’re applied indirectly or don’t touch the skin as directly.
Key Hygiene Tips for Borrowing Beauty Products:
- Always use your own applicators or brushes to avoid direct contact with the product.
- If a product is in a pot or jar, opt to use a clean spatula to take the product.
- Be mindful of sharing products that are already exposed to air for long periods, like mascara or lipstick.
In Summary:
While it’s tempting to borrow all sorts of beauty products from your best friend, it’s important to know which ones are safe to share. Stick to items like blush, eyeshadow, perfume, and nail polish, and always use your own brushes or tools for application. By being mindful of hygiene, you can easily borrow without worry!
Final Thoughts:
Beauty product-sharing can be fun and convenient when you and your bestie know what’s safe to swap! Just remember, products like mascara and lip gloss should stay in your own collection, but everything else? Go ahead and share!
