Dirty brushes are the reason a lot of foundation looks patchy and a lot of skin breaks out. You do not need a Rs 2,000 brush cleaner. Here is the routine we use, with things already in a Pakistani kitchen or bathroom.
How often
- Foundation, concealer and beauty blender: every 3 to 4 uses, weekly at most. Cream products grow bacteria fast in our humidity.
- Powder, blush and bronzer brushes: every 2 weeks.
- Eye brushes: weekly if you use cream shadows, every 2 weeks for powders.
What you need
- Baby shampoo, or any gentle shampoo. Dishwashing liquid works for very greasy foundation brushes but dries natural bristles.
- Lukewarm water. Hot water melts the glue in the ferrule and the brush head falls out.
- A clean towel.
Step by step
- Wet only the bristles under the tap, keeping the metal part and handle dry.
- Put a drop of shampoo in your palm and swirl the brush in it until the water runs coloured.
- Rinse bristles-down until the water runs clear. Repeat once for foundation brushes.
- Squeeze out water with the towel and reshape the bristles with your fingers.
- Lay the brushes flat on the towel with the heads hanging off the edge of a table. Never dry them standing up, water runs into the handle and loosens the glue.
- Leave overnight. They will be dry by morning.
Beauty blenders
Soak in warm water with a squeeze of shampoo for 5 minutes, then squeeze under running water until it runs clear. Air dry in an open space, not in a closed bag. Replace every 2 to 3 months no matter how well you wash it.
Signs it is time to replace a brush
Bristles that stay splayed after washing, a smell that does not go away, or shedding that leaves hairs on your face. A good synthetic set from Elora starts at Rs 899 and lasts a year with this routine.