Your makeup brushes and applicators may breed grounds for bacteria, which can lead to acne, clogged pores, and impurities on your skin. Not so pretty. On January 26, health and beauty blog, Blisstree offered a few tips to keep your makeup brushes fresh and tidy.
First step, make sure your makeup hasnt expired. Mascara, because of its proximity to the eyes, should be replaced every three months, states Blisstree. "Most other makeup should be discarded after one year," said Dr. Carol L. Clinton, of skincare company Timeless Skin Solutions, in the article. "Youll notice that its consistency changes, and that any SPF in the product will have deteriorated."
Her advice: Clean your makeup brushes weekly to keep a significant amount of bacteria from accumulating in the brush. If you use a makeup brush daily to apply liquid makeup, however, youll need to clean it daily.
Blisstrees tips for cleaning makeup brushes:
1. Shampoo or facial cleaner: Since most makeup brushes are made of natural hair, dabbing some shampoo into the palm of your hand and swirling the brush around in it under warm water should do the trick. Facial cleaners work well too.
2. Vinegar and water: To kill bacteria on your makeup brushes, make a solution of one part vinegar and two parts water. Dip the brush into the vinegar solution and rinse in clean warm water.
3. Makeup brush cleaners: You can also purchase a specialized makeup brush cleaner, with some options to spray on and wipe off. Prices range from around €10 to €25. Sephora sells one for around $14/€11, as do Clinique and Bare Escentuals.