It&#;s a tough reality to face, but let&#;s be honest: makeup brushes have a limited lifespan. Despite being cherished tools in our beauty arsenals, they eventually lose their efficacy and charm. But how long can you expect them to last? And what are the tell-tale signs indicating it&#;s time for a refresh? Here's Otis Batterbee&#;s guide to unravel the mysteries of makeup brush longevity and know precisely when it&#;s time to bid adieu to your old faithfuls.So, here&#;s the deal on makeup brush durability: Depending on factors like quality and maintenance, makeup brushes can endure anywhere from one year to a decade. However, most brushes warrant replacement every two to three years, with heavily-used ones requiring renewal every 6-12 months.Regularly cleansing your makeup brushes is key to prolonging their lifespan. Aim for a weekly washing routine to keep them in optimal condition. Alternatively, if you&#;re particularly meticulous, gentle cleansing after each use is a stellar practice. For more cleaning techniques see our detailed cleaning guide
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Green Brush.
Even with diligent cleaning, certain indicators signify the end of the road for your trusty brushes. Here are the unmistakable signs that signal it&#;s time to part ways:
1) Frazzled Appearance:
As brushes age, they lose their shape, affecting their performance. If you notice stray bristles, dents, or bends, it&#;s a clear sign they&#;re past their prime. This often occurs due to improper washing, drying, or storage.
2) Bristle Shedding:
Alongside a dishevelled appearance, older brushes may experience bristle shedding. If your brush seems thinner than usual or you find stray bristles in your makeup bag or on your face post-application, it&#;s a major sign they need replacing.
3) Stiff As A Board Bristles:
While makeup brushes boast luxuriously soft bristles (depending which brand you go for), prolonged use can render them stiff and uncomfortable against the skin. If your brushes evoke more "ouch" than "ahh," it&#;s time for an upgrade.
4) Deteriorated Handles:
It&#;s not just the brush heads that deteriorate; handles can also show signs of wear and tear. If your brush handle feels uncomfortable or starts falling apart, it&#;s a clear indication that it&#;s time to bid adieu.
5) Wonky Ferrule
The ferrule, responsible for securing the bristles to the handle, should remain steadfast for optimal performance. However, if it becomes loose or detaches entirely, it compromises both functionality and safety during application. When this occurs, it's a clear indication that your makeup brush requires immediate replacement.
6) Declined Performance:
Gradual deterioration may make it challenging to pinpoint when to discard makeup brushes. If you notice a decline in your brush&#;s ability to apply makeup seamlessly, it&#;s likely past its prime. Product build-up can contribute to this, so a thorough cleaning may offer temporary relief.
7) They Smell:
Any foul odour emanating from your makeup brushes spells trouble. It indicates the presence of mildew, mold, or bacteria, which can wreak havoc on your skin. It&#;s best to part ways and promptly.
8) Skin Irritation:
Sometimes, brushes harbour unseen grime or bacteria, leading to skin irritation or breakouts. If you experience increased sensitivity or blemishes after using your brushes, it&#;s time to bid them farewell.
At Otis Batterbee, we understand the importance of superior brushes for flawless makeup application. Our cruelty-free brushes, featuring ergonomic handles, are designed to elevate your beauty routine. Here are some of our top picks:
Foundation Buffer 111:
Experience flawless blending with our Foundation Buffer 111. Its unique oval brush shape effortlessly blurs and blends all makeup products. Crafted with dense bristles that feel luxuriously soft like velvet, this brush mimics the gentle touch of fingertips, ensuring a seamless makeup application. Say farewell to cakey foundation and hello to a flawless complexion with this miracle brush.
Foundation Brush 103:
Achieve streak-free perfection with our Foundation Brush 103. The oval tip allows you to effortlessly navigate the contours of your face, ensuring flawless blending. Elevate your beauty routine with this professional-grade brush, designed to seamlessly blend foundation for a flawless finish every time.
Blusher Brush 102:
Loved by makeup artists and beauty influencers alike, our Blusher Brush 102 is renowned for its quality. Crafted with dense bristles that feel heavenly soft like velvet, this brush expertly blends and blurs blush and bronzer products. The shorter bristles are precisely crafted for your cheeks, delivering an instant glow with every application.
Concealer Brush Duo 112 & 113:
Introducing our Concealer Brush Duo 112 & 113, designed to flawlessly blend any liquid or cream concealer products. The innovative angled shape mimics fingertips across your face, making it ideal for precise application around the natural contours of the eyes, nose, brows, and lips. Use the 113 size for smaller areas requiring precise blending, and the 112 shape to effortlessly blend product over the face and around the eyes.
Eye Brush Duo 109 & 110:
Indulge in the luxurious softness of our Eye Brush Duo 109 & 110. These brushes feature super soft bristles that feel like cashmere against the skin. Perfect for creating killer smoky eye looks, these Peta approved brushes effortlessly blend eye makeup over the eyelids and around the eyes, ensuring a flawless finish every time.
Retractable Magic Powder Brush:
Experience the convenience of our Retractable Magic Powder Brush, designed to fit effortlessly in your handbag. Crafted from chic silver metal, this retractable brush allows you to load the bristles with your favourite blusher or bronzer before you head out. Perfect for dusting bronzer across the face and neck without any messy bristles.
Retractable Flawless Face Brush:
Say goodbye to your makeup bag with our Retractable Flawless Face Brush, the ultimate multitasking tool. Crafted from chic silver metal, this versatile brush fits seamlessly in your handbag. With its retractable design, you can load the bristles with your favourite blusher or bronzer before heading out. Perfect for blending foundation and applying powder across the face for a flawless finish.
When the inevitable time comes to bid farewell to your beloved brushes, remember to recycle them responsibly through our innovative recycling scheme . Recognising the environmental impact of discarded brushes, we&#;re committed to reducing beauty waste. By participating in our programme, you contribute to a circular economy, where resources are recycled, reused, and repurposed, minimizing their environmental footprint.Prioritising top-tier makeup brushes is pivotal for flawless application and skin health. By identifying the tell-tale signs of brush wear and embracing innovative tools from Otis Batterbee, you can ensure your beauty routine remains effective and eco-conscious. So, bid adieu to tired brushes and embrace the transformative potential of premium tools. With each stroke, you're one step closer to makeup perfection, courtesy of Otis Batterbee.
Taking care of our skin is imperative for keeping breakouts and irritation at bay. And while we can't always control what happens to our skin (hello, hormones), we can maintain the tools we use on our faces and ensure they aren't exacerbating any problems.
Basic principles like keeping our fingers off our faces and routinely disinfecting our screens are well-known by most, but secret bacteria could be hiding in your products&#;particularly your makeup brushes&#;and jeopardizing your skin health. Ahead, we asked board-certified dermatologists Michael Garner, MD, and Nazanin Saedi, MD, to explain why it's important to wash our brushes and how often we should be replacing them, amongst other tips that will help save your skin. Keep scrolling for our comprehensive guide.
Meet the Experts
How Often Should You Replace Your Makeup Brushes?
Nazanin recommends replacing your makeup brushes every two years. If they are beyond repair from not being washed frequently enough and the bristles are stiff or feel oily due to too much product build-up that won't wash out, it's best practice to replace them immediately.
Makeup brushes are usually composed of synthetic and non-synthetic hairs, depending on the manufacturer and type. If you keep your brushes clean and bacteria-free, they can last a long time (especially if they are made with quality hair such as sable).
Why Do You Need to Wash Your Makeup Brushes?
While it isn't anyone's favorite chore, keeping your makeup brushes clean is imperative for the state of your face. "Not washing your makeup brushes regularly can have several negative effects on your skin," says Garner. "[Dirty brushes] accumulate makeup residue, oils, dead skin cells, and bacteria over time. When you reuse these brushes without cleaning them, you reintroduce these impurities to your skin, leading to clogged pores, breakouts, and irritation. The accumulation of bacteria on the brushes can also promote the growth of harmful microorganisms, potentially causing infections or other skin issues."
Nazanin concurs. "We are all guilty of not washing our makeup brushes as often as we should, even me," she tells us."Yet not washing your brushes can lead to bacteria build-up and breakouts."
Want more information on when to replace makeup brushes? Feel free to contact us.
What Happens If You Don't Regularly Wash Your Brushes?
"There are several common skin conditions that can develop from bacteria on dirty makeup brushes," Garner tells us. "Some common conditions include acne breakouts, folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles), staphylococcus or streptococcus infections, and even fungal and/or yeast infections. These conditions can cause redness, inflammation, and itching and sometimes require medical treatment. More serious infections are theoretically possible and are even more reasons to ensure regular cleaning of your makeup brushes. But these situations are, thankfully, very rare."
If you do experience breakouts or clogged pores due to dirty brushes (it happens), Garner's advice is to exfoliate. "Regular, but not excessive, exfoliation can help remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. Opt for gentle exfoliants that won't be too harsh on your skin, like Matter of Fact's Resurfacing + Hydrating Serum. Chemical exfoliants with ingredients like salicylic acid or glycolic acid can be particularly effective for addressing breakouts. Unfortunately, many people fall into the trap of exfoliating their skin too frequently, [creating] a vicious cycle of irritation and disruption of the skin's natural barrier maintenance processes."
How Often Should You Wash Your Makeup Brushes?
"Ideally, you should be washing your brushes once a week, even if you only use the brush once," says Nazanin. "The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing makeup brushes once every 7-10 days."
"The frequency of cleaning your makeup brushes depends on how often you use them and the type of products you use," adds Garner. "As a general guideline, it's recommended to clean your brushes at least once every two weeks if you use them regularly. However, if you use them daily or have sensitive or acne-prone skin, it's better to clean them once a week or even after each use. It's important to maintain good hygiene practices to minimize the buildup of bacteria and product residue on the brushes."
Keeping Your Makeup Brushes Clean
Now that we know how imperative it is to wash your makeup brushes, what are the best products to keep them clean and help preserve the health of our skin? "If you look online, people recommend all kinds of products to wash your makeup brushes, anything from Dawn dish soap to makeup brush cleaners," says Nazanin. "I personally recommend using your face wash. It cleans your face, and you don't react to it." This tip is brilliant for those with sensitive skin, as different cleaning agents can sometimes cause unwanted reactions.
"Use a gentle antibacterial soap or a specialized brush cleanser," advises Garner. "Gently swirl the brush bristles in the cleanser, working it into a lather. Be careful not to wet the area where the bristles meet the handle, as it can weaken the glue holding the bristles." He recommends cleansing each brush and running it under warm water until all residue has been washed out and the water runs clear. Lay brushes flat on a towel overnight to ensure they are completely dry before using them again.
The Final Takeaway
To avoid breakouts and unwanted skin irritations, wash your brushes regularly with a cleanser that is safe for your skin. If you're wondering whether your brushes are up to standard, it's probably best to replace them with a high-quality and affordable brush set and then maintain a consistent system of keeping them clean.
Are you interested in learning more about ferrule makeup brush? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!