How to Clean And Disinfect Your Makeup Tools

Cleaning your makeup tools is more important than you may think. If you’re experiencing skin problems and can’t figure out why, consider making the switch to cleaning your tools more often. A lot of common skin problems can be caused by the bacteria found in dirty makeup tools. Aside from cleanliness and sanitation, your makeup will apply more flawlessly when your brushes are clean and ready-to-go. Consider it a win-win. Read on to see how often you should be cleaning your makeup tools, as well as how to do it properly.

Eyelash Curler

It’s important to clean your eyelash curlers once a week. To clean them, apply makeup remover to the rubber inserts with a cotton swab to remove any excess mascara and rinse. To disinfect them, apply rubbing alcohol and then rinse the curlers under warm water thoroughly.

Brushes

Clean your makeup brushes once a week to ensure a flawless application as well as a sanitary one. We recommend cleaning your brushes with a baby shampoo as it’s very gentle and won’t irritate your skin. To clean your brushes properly, wet them in warm water and add a few drops of shampoo to the back of your hand. Swirl your brushes around your hand to ensure that you’re cleaning every bristle. Rinse the brushes so that there is no leftover shampoo residue. Dry your brushes laying flat over the edge of your counter/makeup table so that the water doesn’t damage your brushes.

Sponges

A makeup sponge is one of the dirtiest makeup tools there is as it absorbs product more than others. A dirty makeup sponge can cause a whole host of skin problems, especially for those who already have problem or sensitive skin. That’s why it’s so important to clean your makeup sponge after every use. To properly clean this amazing makeup tool, dampen the sponge and apply a small amount of sulfate-free soap (the less bubble-y the better.) Lather your sponge and rinse it thoroughly, letting it fill with water and squeezing it out repeatedly. Let the sponge air-dry as you normally would.

Sharpener 

While you may not think cleaning your sharpener is necessary, it most definitely is. The build-up of leftover eyeliner and lipliner can spread bacteria to your other pencils. Sanitary aspects aside, no one wants their red lip liner transferring to their under-eye. To avoid this, apply rubbing alcohol to the blade of the pencil sharpener using a cotton swab. Be sure that all of the leftover makeup residue is fully removed.

Tweezers

Tweezers are another one of those makeup tools that require a little extra cleaning as they’re coming into direct contact with your skin as they’re removing hairs. As your eyes are the most sensitive part of your face, it’s especially important to ensure that these makeup tools are being cleaned properly every time. To clean tweezers, soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and disinfect the entire tool. Do this after every use to ensure cleanliness.