In order to make your makeup and beauty tools last forever it is vital to clean and maintain them. Some people ignore the TLC aspect of their makeup and beauty items, which can lead to not only damaging them before their expiration date but can also put their complexion at risk. To make sure all your beauty tools last the test of time and keep you looking fabulous, you’ll want to learn how to properly clean and take care of them.

Out of all the makeup and beauty tools you use daily, makeup brushes are probably used the most often, which means that they should be taken care of to the best of your ability. Many women are given advice on makeup brush care from all sources, which may or may not be accurate. Some merely rinse their brushes in water and dry them in the sun, while others beat their makeup brushes against a paper towel until all traces of color is removed, while others simply don’t do anything in the way of cleaning their brushes. When you leave your makeup brushes dirty and continue to use them, you put your complexion at risk for breakouts, including acne. Dirty brushes collect bacteria and when mixed with the oils and other surface debris on your face, this can spell disaster for your skin in the long run. For that same reason it is best to avoid sharing your makeup brushes with friends.

So what is the best way to clean your makeup brushes? It is important to distinguish your synthetic makeup brushes from your natural makeup brushes. Synthetic brushes are made from different types of fibers, such as nylon and taklon, while natural brushes are made from various animal hairs, including horse, squirrel, and goat. To properly cleanse both types you can simply purchase a good quality makeup brush cleaner. You can find various types online or at your favorite makeup store. This type of product is ideal for cleaning both natural and synthetic makeup brushes because they not only remove the dirt, makeup, and bacteria, they also disinfect and condition the bristles. This preserves the condition of your brushes, allowing for a longer shelf life.

Another way you can clean your brushes at home without spending money is to fill your sink with a mixture of mild shampoo with warm water. Dip in only the bristle part of the brush and shake it back and forth until the shampoo creates foam on the brush. Then rinse with warm water until all the shampoo is removed. Next, gently squeeze the bristles to remove as much excess water as possible and use a towel to squeeze out the remaining water. When your brushes have been thoroughly cleaned, rinsed and dried, place them on the edge of a counter - with the bristles hanging off the edge - until they are completely dry.

Of course makeup brushes aren’t the only beauty tools that need to be cleaned regularly. One quick way to clean beauty tools such as eyelash curlers, nail tools, curling irons, and other items made of steel or types of metal is to take a cotton ball and soak it in vinegar or rubbing alcohol and gently wipe down the surface and dry them. To clean your blow dryer use an old toothbrush to clean out the dryer’s grill and clean any detachable parts in a sink full of warm water and a touch of bleach. Never submerge a blow dryer or curling iron in water, even if it is unplugged.

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