Don’t Be Lazy: Wash Your Makeup Brushes
Image:
Description:
Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/ookikioo
Almost a year ago I was sitting on a friend’s bed as she was putting on makeup, getting ready for us to head out to dinner. Seeing her brushes, caked with a solid layer of makeup, I asked offhand when the last time she washed them was. She said she had NEVER washed them in over the year since she’d bought them! Since then, I’ve been dismayed to find that this is more par for the course as opposed to an anomaly when it comes to hygiene and beauty.
Bottom line - you should wash your brushes at least every two weeks, and eyeliner brushes every day! Yes, please do it that often, to avoid spreading nasty bacteria across your face. A great solution to never getting around to washing your brushes because you use them daily is to have a second set to switch around so you’re not stuck waiting for them to dry out. This eliminates any excuses for using dirty brushes on your face.
Why am I so nutty on the subject? Easy. Eyes can get infected (think styes and pinkeye), and trapped in the brush bristles are bacteria, old makeup, dust, dirt, dead skin, and sometimes even pet hair, all of which can cause breakouts - ewwww! Crusty, brittle brushes will even irritate your skin; they should be as soft and clean as when you first got them. Buildup will also ruin the colors of your makeup, and contaminate all of your makeup. Now we know great makeup isn’t cheap so why go out of your way to gunk it up?
Always wash your brushes with the bristles down, or the water can ruin the glue and soak into the wood of the handle. Use a mild shampoo and gently wash the bristles, working downward.
Insider Pro Tip: Don’t waste money on expensive brush shampoos. Do what all professional makeup artists around the world do – purchase a baby shampoo/conditioner combo! Totally affordable and these gentle and hydrating combo formulas will keep your brushes clean and soft.
When you’re done washing your brushes, use a paper towel and lightly squeeze the water out then reshape the bristles to their original shape. Dry them on their side on a towel or even tape the handle to the edge of a table so the brushes can dry faster and on all sides at once. Make sure they are completely dry before using them, which might take all night, so again, it helps to keep an extra set on hand.
Finally, please you don’t share your makeup brushes, especially lip brushes, because bacteria and Herpes love moist environments – gross!