So, you are applying your makeup but for some reason you notice the look is not fresh and the color of the makeup appears to be different. Before you jump the gun and toss out your makeup because you think it has gone bad or that the color no longer wears well, take the time to clean your makeup brushes. It only makes sense that if you use your makeup brushes frequently, it leaves residue in the brush hairs, and that residue can change the color of your makeup, prevent a fresh-looking face, or even leave your skin looking blotchy.
Let's learn a little about makeup brushes first. While it is necessary to use good, quality makeup, it is equally important to use clean brushes to apply your quality makeup. There are many brands of brushes out there, with the least expensive being made of plastic or sponge applicators. The higher end of the makeup brush spectrum are those with a well-built handle (usually made out of plastic, wood, or even some types of metals) and soft brush hairs usually made from animal hair or fur.
Many women are not sure of what kind of brush they should be using while applying makeup. As a rule of thumb, if you are looking for a very good coverage on your face, you should opt for the buki brushes. The buki brushes are tightly packed and provide full coverage. If you are looking for medium coverage, then you should opt for a face brush because the hairs are not packed as tightly and provide a medium coverage. I particularly like the coverage provided by the buki brushes, but if I am looking for a slight gloss over before going to the beach I opt for the face brush.
Now that we understand the types of brushes we use, let's learn how to maintain them. It is important to stress that there are other reasons than those mentioned earlier in this article about the importance of keeping your brushes clean. In addition to the look of your makeup, keeping clean brushes will also make your brushes last longer, thus less money wasted. It will also help to prevent breakouts on your skin from the build-up of natural oils as well as bacteria from your previous usage. A note especially to teen girls: it goes without saying that you should never share your brushes or makeup with others no matter how clean your friends may be. Dirt and bacteria are not confined to those with less hygiene practices, so each time you share your makeup or applicators, you run the chance of picking up some kind of infection or bug. Just say no, as the saying goes.
Cleaning your brushes is a fairly easy task. All you need is warm soapy water, using hand sanitizer, antibacterial soap or even your hair shampoo to clean the brushes. Thoroughly clean as much residue as possible. If you use makeup with an oil base, or liquid products or even lipstick, you need to pay close attention to those particular brushes and try to remove all visible residue. But be sure to keep in mind that you should not scrub the brushes - instead you need to handle them gently to lessen the chances of pulling out the brush hairs or damaging the brushes otherwise.
Cleaning your brushes once per week is what you should be shooting for. Apply this practice and you will see a world of difference in the lifespan of your brushes as well as making your skin look fresh and flawless.
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