Cleaning Applicators
Real Simple magazine suggests a light cleaning once a week and a deep cleaning once a month. For weekly cleanings, use a brush cleaner; mist the brush, then gently soak up any excess moisture on a paper towel. Brush cleaners are available at drugstores and beauty-supply stores. For monthly cleanings, dip the brush into a bowl of warm water, then dab baby shampoo on the brush and swirl the bristles around in the bowl until you can see that all the color or product has washed out. Then rinse the brush under warm water. Just be careful not to submerge the base of the brush head, as doing so could loosen the glue that holds the brush together. Lastly, squeeze out any remaining water and lay the brush flat on a towel to dry overnight.

Cleaning sponges: Because a sponge is, well, a sponge and traps bacteria, it’s best to just replace it before it becomes too dingy. You can purchase an entire bag of makeup sponges from Walgreens for less than $5. Unfortunately, we all know that the Walgreens sponge is nothing like the soft, velvety pad that comes with the $40 powder foundation. So, if you must, immerse the sponge in warm water and use a soap (preferably antibacterial) to clean it. Then rinse … and rinse some more. The most important steps here are getting all the soap out and letting the sponge dry completely before placing it back inside the product. The same technique goes for eye shadow applicators, which, I’ve found, can be reused again and again when cleaned like this.

In the same way an apple will start to turn brown once it’s been bitten into, makeup also starts oxidizing once it’s opened. The Food and Drug Administration does not require cosmetic companies to include an expiration date on cosmetics, but most products do have a little icon on the box indicating how long they’ll stay good after they’ve been opened. As a general rule, all cosmetics and skincare products should be kept in a dark place and never opened until you’re ready to use them. More important, keep items that you use on a daily basis in a dark, dry closet, rather than a moist, bright bathroom. You should always watch out for changed color or consistency and for foul smells. It’s best not to share products, and avoid using testers at the makeup counter. Also, never add water or saliva to products, and be sure to keep containers tightly closed. Also worth noting is that because natural products lack preservatives, they may have even less of a shelf life.
It’s ironic that we spend billions of dollars a year on beauty products to make ourselves look better, yet the same products—if not used, stored, and replaced properly—can also undo all the work by causing conditions like pinkeye or acne. That’s why, when it comes to the business of beauty, it’s always best to err on the side of caution.

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