5 dirty details about your makeup hygiene

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1. Dirty brushes and sponges:

I’m just going to dive right in and talk about dead skin, infections, and bugs. It almost sounds better to use your oily fingers rather than use a dirty brush. Although, both could be causing your skin to break out or cause a mysterious case of pink eye. I don’t like to jump to such gruesome conclusions when talking about makeup but we need to go into detail of what’s causing problematic skin conditions. When you use your makeup brush or sponge, its collecting tiny particles of bacteria, dead skin, and dirt. Overtime, those build up and you are basically reapplying those particles as well as contaminating your makeup palates. Maybe this is the cause for your never-ending acne? Your pores are completely clogged and over layered with dirty makeup. The skin cannot breathe!
Being extra cautious with eye brushes and sponges should be a top priority. I have seen cases of conjunctivitis, infections, and clogged tear ducts resulting in medical attention. If you haven’t seen all the viral videos about bugs hibernating in sponges, go take a look! This may scare you into over the top daily cleanliness.
We are all created perfectly, so we need to be cherishing our largest organ like a temple. The skin requires the upmost gentle attention and love.
Washing your makeup tools: After every application, use warm water and wet the bristles, gentle massage with soap in the palm of your hand, rinse again under running water until suds are gone. Squeeze out the brush and allow to air dry. The same process works for a sponge.
(Tip: Never drag a makeup sponge along your skin, gently blot)

1. It's time to toss the mascara

Here are my 3 tricks to decide whether its time I need to buy new mascara. There is a straightforward 3-month rule that you can mark on your calendar. You can gauge by the odor coming from the container, you will know when it has expired because the build up of bacteria will cause a disturbing smell and the risk from transferring it to your eye is very likely. The last tell is when is starts to dry up and clump to your lashes. Don’t risk it! An eye infection is not prettier than clumpy lashes. (Tip: You can buy disposable eyelash applicators to lessen the transfer of bacteria. Then follow the 3-month rule.)

1. It’s getting hot in here!

The detail about leaving your makeup in the car on a hot summer day is not so much about altering the safety of the product but more about the messy clean up you might create for yourself. Makeup melts, not just softens, but some products will become a liquid mess! I cannot tell you how many purses or bags I have ruined with a nice smeared bottom of lipstick or concealer.  (Tip: Keep a few travel size products in your purse rather than freely in your car during the hot summer months. I also like to put my primer and concealer in the refrigerator before application at home. My beauty secret that creates an appearance of smaller pores and a greater pigmented coverage.)

1. Wash your face

The MOST important rule! Whether you wear makeup or not, every human accumulates dirt, oils, and particles from the polluted environment on their skin every day. Going to bed with a dirty face results in clogged pores, dry skin, acne, premature aging, and infections. Adding makeup to this equation is one giant disaster. Trust me, I understand the “I’ve worked all day, I am so exhausted and I just don’t have the energy to splash water on my face because I’m half asleep on the couch" kind of day. I’m sure we have all learned this lesson a few times and wake up angry regretting not taking the 5 minutes to do this. You then realize you have a big important day with 3 new magical breakouts and dullness from dead skin cells. When I was growing up, my mom would be more upset with me about sleeping with my makeup on than she was if I were to skip school and lie about it. Today, I thank her for scaring me into healthy priorities. LOL (Tip: Bribe yourself, scare yourself, do whatever you need to ensure you wash your face at night.)

1. Sharing is NOT caring

Unless you are terrified of germs and carry disposable applicators everywhere you go, then I suggest you take seriously what I am about to say... To all of you generous makeup owners, be selfish with your products! I know you are probably sick of reading the word “infection” but they are very real, very easily spread, and not cute. Cold sores are a biggie! I have also read about staph infections from shared makeup. Warts are possible too. You get my point? These gross little incidents are happening every single day. Everyone is more than allowed to be selfish about his or her health. (Tip: Makeup testers in department store where they just let you “have at it” -stay at least a foot away!)