Makeup is a breeding ground for bacteria, particularly mascara. Think of all the bacteria you have on your skin and then think how often you touch your brushes to your face. We wouldn't go a week without washing our hands, why do we wait so long with our makeup brushes?
I admit to being bad about this, mainly because I don't often bother with makeup. I am, however, a mascara lover.
According to the CDC, you should replace your mascara at least once every 3 months. To make this easier, I've started putting the "throw out by" date on the mascara with a marker so when that date rolls around I know to get new mascara.
With makeup brushes, it is recommended to wash them at least once a week if they are for powder applications, and every day for liquid makeup such as concealer, foundation, lip products and cream eye shadow. (Although, what may be simpler still is to apply some of those with a clean finger!)
To wash your brushes, simply use some mild shampoo and roll it in your hand until it lathers. Then, rinse under water until the water runs clear. I've also heard that you can use a mix of vinegar and water to wash your brushes, though I've never personally tried it.
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Hi, I do have one question. You mention about concealer and other liquid makeups. I use my finger to apply my concealer and my cream eye shadows. I was wondering, though, should I buy new concealer after a certain amount of time?
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Heather Reply:
June 24th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Thanks for writing Emily! You’re right, the bacteria on your fingertips or skin can get into liquid makeup and breed icky things. So a good idea is to follow the 3 month rule with *any* liquid makeup.
One makeup consultant I spoke with suggested putting the makeup on a piece of tissue before applying like the makeup consultants do in department stores. Or, you can use a new cotton swab to “dab” the makeup out of the jar if it is large enough. This keeps your liquid makeup cleaner, ahd should cut down on the bacteria.
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