We should all strive for a clean set of makeup tools.
Imagine how your makeup brushes, sponges, and eyelash curlers always come in contact with your skin. Over time, these beauty tools accumulate bacteria and germs, which are things you probably don’t want setting up camp on your face. So in the next few segments, we will teach you how to clean your makeup brushes, makeup sponges, and eyelash curlers from the safety of your home.
How to Clean Makeup Brushes
The soft, bushy bristles on makeup brushes feel nice and feathery on the skin. They’re like your little helpers in getting ready, always effective in applying blush or setting powder to complete your makeup look.
But because of the work makeup brushes accomplish on a daily basis, they may require more caring than you think.
Our suggestion is to clean them after every use. If you clean your set of makeup brushes every time you use them, your brushes will less likely collect dirt and germs in the long run, keeping your skin free from any potentially harmful particles.
Clean your makeup brushes by following these steps.
Materials Needed
Dishwashing liquid
Warm filtered water
Sanitized cup
Clean lid for the cup
Fresh towel
Step 1: Prepare a mixture of water and dishwashing liquid.
Step 2: Shake the mixture until you’re satisfied. Use a lid if needed.
Step 3: Place the heads of your makeup brushes into the mixture and swirl the cup a few times until the residual pigment from the makeup transfers to the mixture.
Step 4: Replace the muddy-looking water and repeat Step 1.
Step 5: Place the head of your makeup brushes into the mixture.
Step 6: Squeeze the bristles to eliminate remaining makeup residue and dirt.
Step 7: Wipe your brushes clean with a fresh towel.
How to Clean Makeup Sponges
Makeup sponges are your best friend, but they can also be your worst enemy. Recent studies show that makeup sponges, also known as beauty blenders, are actually notorious for harboring a range of harmful bacteria. E. coli and Staph comprise only some of them.
When we use our makeup sponges to apply makeup, our instinct is to wet it first and then rinse off the remaining makeup on the sponge after. This seems like a good idea to observe proper hygiene, right? The problem is, however, dampness is an invitation to bacteria.
But here’s the good news: You can definitely clean your makeup sponge effectively! One method requires only warm water and mild soap. Another method requires a microwave.
For the first cleaning method, you have to soak your makeup sponge in a mixture of mild soap and warm filtered water. Then, you have to squeeze all the liquid out of the sponge until it’s only mildly damp. Pat the sponge with a dry towel, blow dry it, and you’re done!
As for the second cleaning method, you have to submerge your sponge into a mixture of water and mild soap or dishwashing liquid. Make sure the container you’re using is microwave-friendly. After this, you must place the container in the microwave and set the timer to one (1) minute. Then, let it cool for thirty (30) seconds. Microwave the container with your mixture and sponge for several more times until you’re satisfied.
Read the full version of each method — including a step-by-step process — for free here: How to Clean Your Makeup Sponge or Beauty Blender; Microwave Tip Included
How to Clean Eyelash Curlers
The eyes are the windows to one’s soul, as some would say. But they are also windows to possible infections if you don’t sanitize your eyelash curlers at least twice a week.
Eyelash curlers are probably the oft-neglected makeup tool. They are tossed back into the makeup bag after use and will be remembered only when they are needed again. Don’t fret: This is a common mistake among makeup users. But it’s important to be aware of the fact that, when it comes to eyelash curlers, makeup and bacteria can also accumulate on the padded surface and the lash cage, which we can call the crimping area. However, cleaning the rest of this makeup tool is important, too.
So to protect yourself from possible infections — or to generally keep your makeup tools clean — here are steps to get rid of the dirt on your eyelash curlers.
Materials Needed
Cotton balls
Dishwashing liquid
Warm filtered water
Fresh towel
Rubbing alcohol
Step 1: Rinse your eyelash curler. Focus on the crimping area.
Step 2: Apply a pea-sized amount of dishwashing liquid on a cotton ball. Slightly dampen the cotton ball with water.
Step 3: Rub the surface of the crimping area. Make sure you get rid of the residual product on the padded surface as well as on the lash cage.
Step 4: Using a fresh cotton ball, repeat Step 2.
Step 5: Clean the rest of your eyelash curler. Make sure the handles are taken care of.
Step 6: Rinse!
Step 7: Pat your eyelash curler dry.
Step 8: Douse a fresh cotton ball with rubbing alcohol. Clean the crimping area and the rest of your eyelash curler with it.