#NewNormal: A makeup artist on COVID-19 & the industry's future

When the imposed enhanced community quarantine was announced on March 15, celebrity makeup artist Tor Torre was on a work trip in the United States stocking up on items that he'll be using for his future and current clients.

He then received a message from a chat group stating that there will be no tapings for the time being which led him to return his purchase at the drop of a hat.

“I had to return every single thing that I picked up from Sephora kasi it's more important for me to check my balances and to see if I have enough money to sustain me, to have food on the table, and to pay for some of my bills.”

Since then, Tor has been living in Marinduque with his family.

Effects of the quarantine in the makeup industry

GMANetwork.com got to chat with Tor Torre via voice call to openly speak about how the pandemic has affected his line of work given that he's closely working with clients daily.

He tells us frankly, “Well, I am very worried at the moment because it's prohibited. I work in close contact with people, and the thought of getting the virus so easily is scary.”

To give a brief background, Tor is the go-to makeup artist of some of the biggest stars like Iya Villania, Ms. Cherie Gil, and Ms. Eula Valdez, and has worked in GMA shows like Mars Pa More and Glow Up.

And like most people who work in the entertainment industry, Tor's career is in a brief halt as schedules of tapings remain uncertain.

“My friends and I are a little bit worried because we haven't been working,” he confesses.

“The thing is because we work in entertainment, different production companies have their protocols so we will adjust to how they are going to mandate our health and security in the shoot.”

Though optimistic, the 38-year-old shared that he's weighing his options on securing his health and safety once he returns to work.

Adding, "If we are required to wear PPEs for the shoot, that should be fine. If I need to wear face shields, and things like that, I'm fine with that as well.

"But for me, I don't think that a PPE is very necessary at the moment.

"Una, it's very very hot.

"Second, I have friends who work as nurses and I always ask them how it feels to be in a PPE, and the thing that they tell me is that it impedes movement.

"That's one thing that we're always doing kasi, e -- we're always moving. Whether we're putting on body makeup or picking up stuff in our makeup kit.

"So, I'm just psyching myself to make myself psychologically ready for the physical impediment of another layer of clothes."

Tips on cleanliness

If there's one thing Tor is known for in the industry its cleanliness.

As a confessed clean-freak and a background in nursing, cleanliness is second nature for him. But being in a state of halt for the past three months, this has allowed him to reflect on his system to make sure he's geared up for what lies ahead.

"Like for me right now I'm just trying to survive and stretch my money to see how long I can last.

"But this has also given me the chance to work on my system and how I work. The thing is, ever since I started working I've always been to cleanliness," he says.

This prompted us to ask Tor to share tips for making sure makeup artists like him are ready for the 'new normal' once the industry has been given the go-signal to operate fully.

*Never double-dip into products

Remember how you wouldn't allow people to double-dip into your sauce when eating your favorite street food? The same goes for makeup products when being used by makeup artists.

Tor claims, “ I use antibacterial wipes all the time to clean my spatula because I don't double-dip.

“So if I need to get a lipstick, I get a spatula to get a lip color and transfer it into a stainless steel palette and I clean that spatula again.”

According to the makeup artist, this trick assures that the product is not tainted with bacteria from the lips of the previous user.

*Have your handy alcohol ready

Being a confessed neat freak, Tor shares that he always brings 99.9% alcohol with him all the time.

“I've always been very obsessive about cleaning my stuff. I make sure that I have 99.9% alcohol all the time. Not 70, not 80, but 99%,” he says.

“Even with my eyeshadow palettes, I spray it with alcohol at the end of each shoot just to kill the bacteria. And because its 99.9% alcohol, it doesn't soak, it evaporates fast, and it kills the bacteria and viruses instantly.”

The artist deals that it's not necessary to go overboard with the percentages as he is but recommends getting at least 70% alcohol.

*Never mix used equipment with clean ones

“For my brushes naman, the used brush doesn't go back to the brush stand,” Tor shares.

By segregating items, he's able to steer away from contaminating his clean items thus avoiding spreading viruses and germs to his next client.

Mentioning, “The thing with me is, I have so much time in between shoots. So while they're shooting, I start cleaning my brushes.

“At saka, I have multiple brushes for at least three people. If I'm working today and I don't have time to clean my brushes at least by the time I go to work tomorrow I still have a clean spare.”

*Try cleaning your items with dishwashing soap

Being a pro in the industry, Tor has also experimented with various cleaning agents in disinfecting his items. So if there's a chemical cleaning product he can recommend for any makeup junkie, it's to use dishwashing soaps when cleaning your brushes and sponges.

“I know a lot swear by using gentle shampoos to clean your brushes, some even say baby wash, but I use dishwashing liquid in its antibacterial variant,” he says.

“Because dishwashing liquid breaks down the oil from creams and foundations that are lurking in between the brushes and sponges.”

*Have separate items for return clients

It may sound expensive, but Tor shares that by investing in multiple items assure his clients that what he's providing is a safe, clean service.

“Because I work with multiple actresses, I usually have a designated sponge and mascara for that person.

“It's expensive, but I have to do it especially if I'm working with someone who is a repeat client.”

While he's currently trying to live by his means, Tor remains hopeful for a brighter future for the people who are in the same industry as he is, amid the pandemic.

He reminds, “I think, with cleanliness, it's a reflection of who you are as a person.

“With today's situation, it's part of not spreading the disease, di ba? If you're being hygienic.

“So I hope that people in the industry will question their system. Although there might be one person who can say ito ang sistema when it comes to disinfecting, you also have to check to see if it's working for you.

“I think people just have to be very careful at this point and people just have to be healthy.”

#NewNormal: The PH beauty salon industry after lockdown

How to navigate under the “new normal” when you have anxiety disorder