70% of Us Don't Clean Our Makeup Brushes! Ew...
Lets face it, everyone knows you're supposed to clean your makeup brushes regularly but how many of us really do? Did you know that makeup brushes can habor BACTERIA?! EW. That applies to whatever makeup tool you're using including, sponges, beauty blenders, shadow brushes, foundation brushes, blush brushes, mascara wands, etc! A whopping 70% of us don't wash our brushes!!! The longer a person goes without washing their makeup brushes, the MORE bacteria is found on it.
I found this interesting in an article called "What's hiding in your make up brush," from The Derm Institute:
"A recent SINGLE month study tested the accumulation of bacteria found on makeup brushes*. By the end of the first week, the brushes had accumulated bacterial growth, but the numbers were not alarming, fairly comparable to normal amounts of bacteria that we all come into contact with on daily surfaces. But by the end of the second week, the number of bacteria had doubled, and at the end of the one-month study, the bacteria count on the brushes had increased to a number that was too high to be measured! According to the conclusions of this study, the researchers recommend that brushes be cleansed once a week, or at the very least, every two weeks. Brushes that use creamy products like foundation, concealer, lipstick, or cream shadow need cleaning more often than “dry” products like loose powder."
I get asked these questions all the time: How often are you supposed to clean makeup brushes? What should you clean the brushes with? Well, I couldn't agree more with this article. CLEAN YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES/TOOLS EVERY WEEK. Personally, I use my facial cleanser to clean my brushes because the cleanser won't cause your skin to breakout or have a strange reaction. However, I've heard of other options such as bar soap, baby shampoo, olive oil, dish detergent, and 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water, etc. Don't forget to use rubbing alcohol to disinfect the brush handle too! I don't recommend using bar soap or olive oil because they will likely clog your pores.
Cleaning brushes regularly will take off old makeup, bacteria, dirt and debris, dead skin cells and oils. It will prolong the life of the brush- if cleaned properly. It will also contribute to CLEAR SKIN! If you are acne-prone, the transfer of oils/bacteria from the brush to your skin can cause an acne flare-up, especially in the blush/bronze/cheek area! Don't forget to wash your hands before handling your brushes because we both know you'll touch your face at some point during your makeup application. ;-)
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES:
-Use lukewarm water to wet the brushes. (Try to avoid getting the brush wet past the metal to keep the glue intact)
-Take a small amount of your gentle foaming facial cleanser and bring to a lather swirling the brush on the palm of your hand using a circular motion. (Or use a Brush Egg ~ pictured on the right.)
-Rinse brush well until the water runs clear. (You may need to repeat this process a few times if there's heavy makeup on the brush.)
-Disinfect brush handle with alcohol.
-Lay brush flat to dry or hang with the bristles facing downwards.
*Be sure the brush is completely dry before use. Its recommended to wash brushes after use or at night to insure enough drying time.
*Pro-tip: use clear nail polish to preserve the brush handle and brand name & brush number.
I hope you found this article helpful. Please share with your friends! Leave your comments below. I'd love to hear from you about how you clean your makeup brushes or any tips you'd like to share! Xo
