Be honest, how often do you really wash your make-up bag or brushes? Most of us know deep down that we should be doing it, in the same way we know that we really should sterilise our tweezers more often, but when it comes to actually getting around to cleaning them, it’s often a lower priority than a pedicure in the dead of winter.
A new study has revealed that a staggering 84% of British women claim to have never washed their make-up bag. Of course, it’s all well and good having clean brushes, but if what you keep them in isn’t clean, the bacteria lurking within the depths of your bag could make the process essentially redundant.
Make-up artist Hannah Martin told Vogue, “A lot of make-up bags are machine washable, so I would suggest popping it in the washing machine whenever you deep clean your brushes. If it isn’t, turn it inside out and then use a baby wipe to clean it. I also like something like the Dettol Fabric Spray to clean bags that aren’t machine washable.” It’s worth checking the label on the inside of your bag, but if your bag is a mixture of fabric and plastic, it might be better to hand wash. “If you don’t keep it clean and prevent bacteria build-up, that could easily transfer to your make-up and make-up brushes,” cautioned Martin.
Bacteria living in your make-up bag and nestled within the fibres of brushes can easily pass bacteria onto your skin, but also onto your make-up, and if you’re a fan of a cream or a gel product, you’re basically giving germs some prime real estate. In terms of washing your brushes, once a month is usually sufficient for personal use kit, with Martin advising: “A deep clean with baby shampoo or brush cleanser, then leave them to dry overnight with the heads of the brushes over the lip of the surface so they keep their shape.”
If you use a lot of gels or creams, more washing might be needed to keep your brushes scrupulously clean, but also to keep them performing well – nobody likes a caked-up brush. “A dab of face cleaner on the head of the brush, pulled through a tissue is a good quick fix,” noted Martin.
Check out Vogue’s fuss-free cleaning kit suggestions below…
