Just like any other makeup lover, I have a significant collection of makeup brushes which I use on a regular basis for eyes, face, cheeks or simply to add some sexy shimmer! I like to treat them as ‘my babies’ so taking good care of them is vital. The biggest problem with makeup brushes is bacteria build-up and if they are not cleaned carefully and regularly then the result can be pretty nasty! For me there is no such thing as too often, plus regular cleaning definitely extends the life of the bristles and makes makeup application much better. So after every use I wash them, disinfect them and reshape them in order to avoid any unwanted glitches! And when I say glitches I mean really serious ones that can even send you to hospital. Aggravated breakouts – stubborn breakouts on the face can be a clear sign that your brushes are not clean.
- Skin Irritation – before blaming a new product that you might think you are allergic to, check out the status of your tools.
- Pink Eye – this is one of the easiest and most common viruses to spread.
- Herpes – unfortunately dirty brushes can even give you herpes since this virus loves damp environments.
- Clogged Pores – the simple reason why we all wash our faces at night – to avoid any clogging. So don’t ruin all that hard work by rubbing built up product all over your skin.
- Staphylococcus Infection – this is the worst that can be contracted through dirty brushes and the least wanted as this can seriously ruin your life. There are plenty of articles online that talk about people being sent to hospital after contracting staphylococcus from dirty brushes.
- Fungal Infection – your brushes could be spreading illness without you knowing. If you’re getting a rash, cracking, or soreness, you should wash your brushes immediately.
So how do I clean my makeup brushes?
The best method is water and a gentle soap – I like to use a drop of Johnson’s® Baby Shampoo and 2 drops of Tea Tree Pure Essential Oil as it is known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. I let my tools soak in the water for about 15-20 minutes and then I gently massage the tips of the bristles in my palm. I then rinse the bristles with lukewarm water, squeeze out the excess moisture with a clean towel, reshape the head and then I hang them (head down) on a hanger securing them with a small elastic (that’s why I love Pinterest). This allows excess water to drip and not leak into the ferrule (the piece that joins the bristles to the wand), which might loosen the glue and lead to bristle loss. And voila clean brushes ready for use again!
Till next week ladies…
