The Basic Beauty Tip You've Forgotten About

When it comes to a beauty regimen, we all have our own routines and tend to do things the same way every time. This is definitely a time-saver, but there is one important step that tends to be forgotten, and leaving it out can cause some serious damage to your skin.

Here’s why washing your makeup brushes should become part of your routine.

Why Wash?

Washing your makeup brushes is essential for healthy skin. When you use your brushes, they not only get gunked up with makeup, but they also hold on to oil from your skin. Add in some dead skin cells and moisturizer residue, and you’ve got a yucky cocktail.

Once you rub this combo on your face, you’re likely to end up with clogged pores. As we all know, this results in acne, which leads most of us to put on extra concealer to try and cover up the spots. In turn, your brushes get more makeup on them and the cycle continues.

Using a dirty brush also means that your makeup doesn’t go on as smoothly as it should. When the bristles are full of gunk they don’t blend properly, resulting in a patchy or streaky face.

How to Tell if You Need to Wash Your Brushes

There are a few giveaways as to when you should wash your brushes. 

-      -- Your brushes are new and you haven't used them yet

-     --  You’ve never washed your brushes

-      -- It’s been more than one month since you washed them last

-     --  You can see a buildup of makeup on the bristles

-      -- They feel rough to the touch

How to Wash Your Brushes and What to Use

Before you panic, you don’t need to wash your brushes every day. Most experts suggest washing them at least once a month. If you have sensitive skin I suggest washing them every two to three weeks.

Step 1 – Fill a bowl with hot, soapy water. If your facial cleanser lathers, use a couple drops to make lots of suds. If it doesn’t, pick up a cleanser that creates bubbles from the drugstore that contains salicylic acid. This helps prevent acne, and since you aren’t applying it directly to your face you don’t need to worry about a new cleanser conflicting with your regular stuff.

For an inexpensive option, I’d suggest Bioré Foam Cleanser. It’s gentle and has a light minty scent. For sensitive skin, try Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser. This cleanser is designed to remove dirt and makeup in one fell swoop so it's perfect for cleaning brushes. 

Step 2 – Soak your brushes for 10 to 15 minutes. Once they’ve soaked, gently rub the bristles while they’re underwater. Make sure you aren’t too rough, or the bristles will start to fall out.

Step 3 – Empty the water from the bowl, and run warm water over the brushes. You may need to gently rub another drop of soap into some of the brushes to get rid of stubborn makeup. When the water runs clear, your brushes are clean.

P.S. Like the brushes in the photo? Visit www.orchidoak.com to order them!

Have a beauty tip we should know about? Share with us in the comments.