Thursday 25 / April / 2024
When it comes to beauty rituals, we take care of every single detail but often forget about the cleanliness of our makeup utensils and the accessories. Regardless of how much you spend on them, germs and bacteria can lurk around, contaminating your skin. Here are some important tips to help you keep your items clean.
Makeup Brushes
Keeping brushes clean is important for hygiene but also to avoid mixing it up with other colours and as a result, having the wrong blush colour on your skin. Ideally, wash your brushes as frequently as possible, after each use. If it’s tough to wash them this frequently, every 15 days would be the maximum time.
Makeup brushes comprise of two different types:
Natural Hair: Mainly used with powders. To clean them, wash with a soap water solution at neutral pH and leave them drying. Don’t leave them to dry in a vertical position, it can damage the wood that holds the brush together. You can also apply conditioner to the brush hair once a month to maintain softness.
Synthetic fibres: Mainly used for creamier products. To clean these brushes, wash with a non-alcoholic cleanser. There are plenty of instant cleaning liquids that does not require water, though, simply apply the liquid onto the brush and rub it with a clean cloth.
Makeup Sponges
For makeup sponges, disposable ones are the most hygienic option. However, if you, for any reason, prefer using other types of sponge: Disinfect with some dishwashing liquid and a spritz of rubbing alcohol. Alternatively, you can wash them with baby lotion. Let the sponge dry before storage or using it again.
Lipsticks (or Creamy Makeup Like Foundation)
For those who apply lipstick with a brush, it’s important to keep it clean. To disinfect it, use a damp cloth that has been dipped in alcohol and give it a light go-over. No need to clean it very often, but once every 4-5 months should do the trick.
Makeup Bag
The makeup bag is always left aside when cleaning, but really shouldn’t. In fact, it is constantly accumulating germs, contaminating your accessories all over again. To solve it, wash it every few months and keep it clean in between, by cleaning out the inside with a face wipe.
Extra Tip: Removal of makeup stains on clothes.
If you are a victim of a makeup stain, don’t worry. Soak your stained garment in a vinegar - water solution and a squeeze of lemon. Leave it for a couple of minutes, then apply washing detergent onto the stain. Rub the affected area until the stain disappears and rinse the garment.
For lipstick stains, instead of the method mentioned above, soak a cotton ball in ammonia and rub it onto the stain before washing the affected area in hot water. — Courtesy of Helpling, an online platform for booking cleaners in the UAE.
