When was the last time you cleaned and disinfected your makeup brushes? If you’re like me it was longer than I’d care to mention. A study done at Loyola Marymount University found that after only one month, uncleaned makeup brushes contained more bacteria than researchers were even able to measure. Yuk! This means that you could be spreading germs and bacteria onto your skin causing clogged pores or breakouts, not to mention possible infections, especially of the eyes. Keeping your brushes clean is not only important to the health of your skin, but it will also help ensure that your makeup goes on smoothly and that you are not mixing pigments which will cause muddy colours. Regular cleaning will also help lengthen the life of your brushes as build-up can cause bristles to break over time.
Best Ways To Disinfect Makeup Brushes
But what is the most effective way to clean and disinfect makeup brushes? When choosing a cleaning method or product you want to look for something that is strong enough to get rid of bacteria and germs but gentle enough not to harm brushes. Here are the best ways to keep your brushes clean and bacteria-free.
METHOD #1 – SOAP AND WATER
Works for makeup brushes, makeup sponges, and beauty blenders as well as eyelash curlers.
Directions:
Brushes; Wet the bristles of the brush with warm water being careful not to get water on the base or handle of the brush. The bristles are glued on and you don’t want to weaken the glue causing your brush to lose bristles. Place a drop of gentle soap or shampoo (baby shampoo works great) into the palm of your hand and gently massage the bristles in your palm. Rinse the bristles under warm running water until the water runs clear. Dry the brush gently by squeezing the bristles with a soft towel to remove as much moisture as possible. Then gently reshape the bristles and lay flat on a counter with the bristle end hanging over the edge until dry (drying on a towel may cause mildew).
Sponges and makeup blenders; Fill a small bowl with a couple of cups of warm water and 1 tablespoon of gentle soap or shampoo. Submerge the sponge in the water/soap mixture while gently massaging the sponge to create a lather and remove makeup. Rinse well under clean warm water while compressing the sponge until the water runs clear.
Eyelash curlers; Soak in a small bowl of warm water with a few drops of soap for a few minutes and rub off makeup with a clean cloth. Rinse well.
You can also use cleansers made especially for makeup brushes. This one from Ecotools is cruelty-free and eco-friendly.
MAC makes a good one.
Cinema Secrets has a quick-drying cleanser.
METHOD #2 – COMMERCIAL SPRAY OR WIPES
There are many commercial, ready-to-use sprays and wipes on the market that are fast, effective, and convenient to use. Beauty So Clean products are made with natural ingredients and are dermatologist-tested. Just spray on your brush bristles being sure to get inside as well and then wipe off with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Whether you choose to clean your makeup brushes with soap and water or a store-bought cleanser remember to clean them often to avoid spreading germs and bacteria. Especially if you have a cold or infection. It’s recommended that natural bristle brushes should be cleaned at least weekly while synthetic brushes should be cleaned every other day or every other use.
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