This might be gross, but... I’m really terrible about cleaning my brushes. I’m kinda a germ-a-phob, so I’ve always been curious about whether or not I really have to clean my brushes.

Hello, you beauties! It’s M. again from the life+style blog, signedM.If you are a regular around these parts, you know I’ve been suffering with a serious case of Spring Fever lately & it has sparked a lot of deep cleaning. Last week, it was my closet clean & a beauty product purge... during which I discovered three unopened brush cleaning solutions... which snowballed into me getting all nerdy with it, & researching about why (or why not!) I should be cleaning my makeup brushes.

My Current Makeup Brush Cleaning Routine.

Like I said, I found three never-been-used brush cleaners in my beauty product purge... so it’s safe to say I’ve never done much more than think about a regular routine. My go-to cleaning strategy has always been to swirl my brushes around on a makeup wipe. I mean, it’s gentle enough for my face & it’s removing the makeup... seems like this should be a worthy cleansing option to me!

What I Discovered When I Researched “Cleaning Makeup Brushes.”

I took to the Google to start my research, & the first article I opened contained words that made my stomach turn:

Makeup products — especially concealers and foundations — typically contain hydrating components, which provide a perfect breeding ground for bacterial growth.

*Puke* Thank you, The Pretty Pimple, for ruining my appetite. (sidenote: the irony in the name of this beauty blog makes me giggle!)

Next click took me to Reader’s Digest and bad news:
Stressed-out skin that’s constantly coming into contact with bacteria is going to start to show signs of wear. When your skin is stressed collagen and elastin start to breakdown at a much faster rate, causing your skin to lose its plump, youthful appearance. You could end up with premature wrinkles as a result of constantly using dirty brushes.

Umm... excuse me, what?! “Premature wrinkles” = the most terrifying words ever.

At this point, this is what I know: I’m not eating dinner tonight & I’m going to spend that time doing yoga, to calm me down after reading those dreaded words. But, I feel like there is magic in threes. So, I needed one more reliable source in order to feel like I really did my due diligence here.

And then an article from Medical Dailypopped up. YOU GUYS! You can get a staph infection from dirty makeup brushes. Cellulitis, a fairly common, & mild infection that typically clears up within days or weeks, becomes a bit more serious when you consider how close your face is to your brain & how delicate your eyes are. “Brain infection” & “blindness” sealed the deal. Makeup brushes MUST be cleaned regularly!

So, How Do I Clean My Brushes?

First of all, the best (& most thorough) method for cleaning your tools requires only water & either a gentle soap (regular soap formulas can dry out the brush's bristles, especially if they are made of natural hair) or brush cleanser. (Easy, peasy.)

Follow These Seven Steps for Cleaner, Good-As-New Brushes & Blenders:

1. Wet the bristles with lukewarm water.

2. Place a drop of makeup brush cleanser or soap into the palm of your hand.

3. Gently massage the tips of the bristles in your palm.

4. Rinse the bristles.

5. Squeeze out the excess moisture with a clean towel.

6. Reshape the brush head.

7. Let the brush dry with its bristles hanging off the edge of a counter, thereby

   allowing it to dry in the correct shape. Never let your brushes dry on a towel — the bristles can become mildewed.

Mid-wash, keep the base of the brush head away from soap & water. The bristles are glued to the base, & water & detergent can cause the glue to disintegrate & the bristles to come loose & shed. Do not dry vertically — this will cause water to leak into the ferrule [the piece that joins the bristles to the wand], which will also loosen the glue & lead to bristle loss.

Now how about those MAKEUP SPONGES! You do not even want to know how many germs, bacteria and harmful pathogens harbor inside your porous sponges. The constant wetting and semi-drying effect of your sponges makes it a breading ground for germs and bacteria to grow and thrive. If you're looking for bright, beautiful, radiant skin then these blender sponges are your WORST enemy. I was feeling besides myself when I read this... How on Earth am I supposed to seamlessly blend my liquid foundation and concealer without my beloved sponge? Well, Dolls.. I've found the perfect cure. The smoothy sponge! This sponge is a non porous, smooth, soft, silicone sponge that allows for perfect makeup application and blending without any of the harmful germs and bacteria that come with those other nasty sponges. 

Link to my current favorite makeup blending sponge- Smoothy- Sponge

So there you have it, Dolls. Enough to make you think twice about putting those makeup brushes to your skin again before giving them a good ol’ deep clean. For clearer, younger, healthier skin... wash your brushes.

Signed, M.