HOW TO CLEAN MAKEUP SPONGES, BRUSHES & PRODUCTS
CLEAN UP YOUR MAKEUP ROUTINE
The recent uptick in hand-washing, hyper-attention to hygiene and wiping down surfaces is making us all rethink how we take care of ourselves and our things. Our beloved makeup, included. If you’re wondering whether to toss out your makeup and start fresh or forego makeup altogether…wait!
Simply go through your makeup collection and individually clean each piece. Cleaning and sanitizing your makeup is essential! Here’s how to do it.
HOW TO CLEAN A FOUNDATION BRUSH & SPONGE, PLUS CLEAN MAKEUP PRODUCTS (OUTSIDE)
Wipe everything down with an anti-bacterial wipe before using. If you can’t get a hold of those, get a small spray bottle, fill it with rubbing alcohol then spray all of your palettes and tubes with it and let it dry. (Don’t rub it in with a tissue or your fingers because you’ll contaminate it all over again.) The best concentration of alcohol to look for is 70%. Formulas that are 90%+ alcohol evaporate too quickly to fully disinfect makeup!
Makeup sponges and brushes: These directly touch your hands and face and tend to breed bacteria if left dirty or wet. Clean after every use, if possible. It’s important to remember that DRYING your makeup sponges and brushes is just as important as cleaning them, too! Mold grows quickly if they’re left damp for too long. Leave them to dry in the sunshine, as opposed to a dark, damp bathroom. If your makeup sponge is really funky, best to invest in a new one.
For more information on how to disinfect, wash and dry your makeup tools, visit Makeup.com to check our their great tutorial.
HOW TO CLEAN MAKEUP PRODUCTS (INSIDE)
Makeup bags: Spritz and wipe down the outside and inside of your makeup bags and kits thoroughly with anti-bacterial wipes or rubbing alcohol.
Mascara: Mascara is tricky as the eye area is so delicate and easily compromised. If you have any qualms about the health and safety of your mascara, best to recycle it and start with a fresh one. However, if you’re in good health and are the only one who has used your mascara, no need to throw it out. Just give it a cleaning! Most of the brushes (aka spoolies) are made of synthetic nylon, which is easy to clean. Spritz alcohol directly onto the spoolie before twisting it in a fresh paper towel to remove all product. Alternatively, you can get some disposable mascara wands and use those to apply your favourite formula. Disposable wands will not have the same oomph as your brilliantly-designed mascara wand, though.
Compact shadows, blushes, bronzers and pressed powders: Of all makeup products, these are the least likely to have bacteria on them, but it's still good to give them a clean-down. Skim the top layer of product off then spritz with alcohol and let dry. Don't use them until they are totally dry.
Lipsticks and cream formula compacts: Spritz the exposed makeup with alcohol, wait a minute, then wipe clean with a fresh tissue. Unlike the powder formulas, you don’t want to air dry these because the cosmetics themselves will dry out too.
Lip and eye pencils: Thoroughly sharpen your lip and eye pencils before every use to shave off the outer layer that may potentially have been exposed to bacteria. And remember to clean your sharpener too! There are many little nooks and crannies in sharpeners, so rather than spritzing, submerge it in rubbing alcohol for about five minutes then dry it with a clean tissue.
Liquid foundations and blushes: We’re talking tubes and bottles here. The area you want to clean on them is the nozzle you screw the cap onto. Wipe it down with an antibacterial wipe or spritz with alcohol and wipe with a fresh tissue. Don't forget the inside of the cap as well. If it’s too small and fiddly to wipe down, spritz with alcohol and let air dry.
HOW TO APPLY MAKEUP SAFELY
We know you know this, but it bears repeating: Wash and sanitize hands before touching your makeup or your face!
HOW TO STOP TOUCHING YOUR FACE
So, apply your makeup, then when you’re done — here’s the trick — makeup-setting spray to lock it in. If you’ve never tried one of these, they really work. No smudging, no fading, and no touch ups required all day long. So you can keep your hands away from your face all day!
