How to Clean Makeup Brushes
If you are anything like us, you will find that cleaning your makeup brushes can be a daunting task, especially if you are still searching for a cleaning product that works for you and your brushes!
We have used a lot of products, Fairy Liquid is a nice product for sure, but it dries out our hands and I personally don’t like wearing rubber gloves. There are also sprays and solutions that always help with a quick clean, but won’t give you a squeaky clean brush head. You may also find that overexposure to strong cleaning solutions can cause the bristles of your brushes to become dry and brittle, even if they are designed for brush cleaning!
I stumbled upon this discovery on a cold Wednesday evening a few months ago. I had just cleaned off my makeup and found my makeup brushes to be ugly and filthy. I gathered them all up, went into the bathroom and found Procoal Shampooing Soap. I thought, well, my own hair looks and feels amazing, I wonder how it works with my brushes. The rest, as they say, is history and I am mad that I didn’t put two and two together first! The scents of these bars are also perfect for your brushes: seaweed, charcoal, lavender, and rose, which is an added treat when you get a whiff of the scent while you put your makeup on in the morning!
How to Clean Makeup Brushes with Our Shampoo Bar. We think this technique is a quick and easy way to clean your brushes. Here’s a step-by-step.
Wet Your Brush
Begin by wetting your brush with warm water. Make sure the brush is always facing down so that water doesn’t get into the brush and dissolve the glue that holds the bristles in place!
Lather
Next, take your shampoo bar. The shape and size of the bar fits perfectly in your hand. Hold it in one hand and use your other hand to work up a lather by rubbing circles over it with your brush. You’ll see how much foundation and other makeup washes off your brush! It’s amazing how much you can wash off your brush using shampoo lather. Use the palm of your hand to remove the product from the brush head.
Rinse and Repeat
Rinse your brush with water and massage the bristles to loosen up any remaining product. You can also repeat the previous step until the water runs clear and there’s no makeup left!
Dry your brushes
Don’t forget to give your brushes a good shake as this will help them regain their shape quickly. Let them dry overnight, dangling their heads over the edge so they don’t lie flat on one side.
Result!
In the morning your brushes will be clean, soft and smell wonderful. As the shea butter conditions and keeps the bristles soft, especially on eye makeup brushes, no one wants to be stabbed by sharp bristles while trying to blend eyeshadow! The essential oils leave the brushes with a nice scent but not too strong or sensitive. The shampoo itself also removes bacteria buildup and the generally nasty residue that can linger on our brushes! The final plus is that because it’s natural and gentle on the bristles, the consistency of the shampoo bar won’t change in any way and you’ll find your brushes last longer than before!
It’s best to wash your makeup brushes every two weeks as product buildup can cause the bristles to loosen from the brush and transfer bacteria to your face and back again, creating a bacteria-filled cycle.
If you have problem skin, you’ll find that washing your makeup brushes regularly can prevent further blemishes, especially on areas like cheeks where you apply bronzer and blush! With a shampoo bar, you can effectively clean your makeup brushes. Not only do they get super clean, but they last longer! Any multitasking is a big win for us. So try it out for yourself and see how awesome we are!
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.