Applying your makeup with brushes is nothing new, it helps to give an even complexion and can allow you to apply eyeshadow and powder in those annoying places like the corners of your eyes. We all know that brushes are completely ineffective if they’re dirty though right? That’s why we all clean them regularly…right? Right?
Here’s what can happen if you use dirty brushes, but don’t worry – it’s an easy fix, just clean them!
#1 Breakout galore
We always cleanse our faces in the morning, yet don’t think twice of painting them with a sticky, dusty brush loaded with two week’s worth of dirt, oils, and bacteria. Ewww! And you know where all that gunk ends up once on your skin? In your pores. It clogs them, causing pimples. Click here to find out what to do when you have the worst spot of your life, and then spray the Parisian Spirit Cleansing System ($26) to instantly clean them.
#2 Irritations
Dirt may give you pimples, but bacteria may give you something worse: irritations and infections. By using, and sharing dirty eye brushes, for example, you can get a nasty eye infection! Scary, isn’t it? Not to mention, all that dirt hardens bristles, making them chafe against the skin. That can irritate it, too.
Sigma Beauty Travel Set ( $86)
#3 Terrible makeup application
Have you ever picked up, let’s say, a pretty taupe eyeshadow, and realised, to your horror, that it turned out a slimy shade of green on your lid? That’s what happens when you don’t wash your brushes. Your new eyeshadow colour gets mixed up with the residue from the shades you previously used, making it impossible to get the right colour payoff and a decent makeup application. Using a beauty blender that once used to be light and is now the colour of your foundation? Use the genius Beautyblender Blendercleanser ($16) for ridiculously easy cleaning of your brushes and blenders.
Beautyblender Blendercleanser ($16)
#4 Waste of money
So, you took the plunge and invested in a few good-quality brushes? Then, you’d better clean them up once a week. If you allow them to become a playing ground for bacteria or the bristles to get all hardened and weirdly-blended, they’ll get ruined much faster. When you use dirty brushes, you’re not sabotaging just your skin. You’re sabotaging your bank account, as well, trust us – looking after your stuff is the key to managing your money better.
So how do you cleanse them?
To properly cleanse your brushes, all you need to do is invest in a brush cleanser or use your favorite gentle shampoo. Scrub your brushes until the water runs clear, and then leave them in a pot to dry. You could do it before you jump in the shower so you’re already in the bathroom. Don’t use harsh cleansers that might damage the hairs, and definitely don’t pull at the bristles. Reshape your brush before you leave it to dry and you’re good to go!
How often do you clean your makeup brushes?
By Giorgia Guazzarotti
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