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The name was inspired from the manga "Beauty Pop". Koshiba Kiri's catchphrase, "I'll help you guys add a little magic", reminded me that anyone can become beautiful, with a touch of magic~

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Saturday, November 3, 2012

#05 - Brushes vs Sponges Part 1 (Hygiene)


Hey guys!
A short one this week... A bit swamped with school assignments and getting ready for AFA!

This was originally intended to be a extension of note #01 - Cosmetic Hygiene for brushes, but... well, that would be plain boring...
So, I decided to do a comparison between the use of brushes and sponges.

Ok, so first thing we need to confirm is that there are many types of brushes and many types of sponges.
But the most important thing is to be able to keep the brushes and sponges in good condition and with good hygiene!!
Since I'm quite short on time, this issue will focus on hygiene, a more detailed comparison will be made later in the series!

MAINTAINING THE HYGIENE OF BRUSHES
Brushes go into your product and onto your skin, the bristles trap dust, makeup and bacteria.
Over time, these build up and you may be breeding some very infective microbes in your brushes without knowing!
So what do you need to know?

Spot Cleaning
  • This involves placing a wet wipe (e.g.: baby wipes, or antiseptic wipes) on your palm and swishing your brush bristles against it.
  • If your brush has a flat ferule(e.g.: flat shader brushes, foundation brushes) move your brush in an back and forth motion, perpendicular to the brush
  • If your brush does NOT have a flat ferule, move your brush in circular motions.
  • Repeat until no more color is removed from the brush
  • ** This should be done before and after you reuse the brush.
Deep Cleaning
There are 2 kinds of brush cleaners: Alcohol based and Soap based
A deep cleaning should be done every 1-2 weeks, depending on how much you use your brushes.
This is because of the very dusty air in Singapore.

Alcohol based Brush Cleaner
  • Alcohol based brush cleaners can help dissolve hardened gel eyeliners among other things, BUT are very damaging to natural hair bristles.
  • For alcohol based brush cleaners, dip the bristles into a dish (ceramic OR metal only) with the brush cleaner, swirl the brush inside a couple of times, then similar to spot cleaning, rub the bristles back and forth or in circular motions on a DRY towel or kitchen paper. Repeat till clean.
  • Alcohol brush cleaner that I use on event days, so I can do makeup for many people with clean brushes, is bought from Cosmoprof Academy at POMO.
Soap based Brush Cleaner
  • Soap based brush cleaners are more commonly used, BUT take a longer time to dry.
  • For soap based brush cleaners, dip the brush into a dish with the brush cleaner diluted with a little water, then rub the bristles against your palm to lather it up. Rinse off the soap and press dry with a towel. Leave the brush to AIR-DRY lying on it's side.
  • I use the sponge cleaner from Daiso as the soap in my homemade soap based brush cleaner mixture.
  • Alternatively, you can use dishwashing soap.

MAINTAINING HYGIENE OF SPONGES
Similar to brushes, sponges build up a lot of junk, even more so because sponges absorb more oil than brushes.
There are many kinds of sponges.
Disposable ones (e.g: triangular makeup wedges), ones included in powder compacts, eyeshadow applicators... etc
They all have different uses, and can be used for different amounts of time

Disposable Sponges
Well, as the name suggests, these sponges are designed to be used once and thrown away.
For that reason, hygiene is not a question for them.

Powder Compact Sponges
In this section I refer to the circular or rectangular latex sponges used in compacts (e.g.: pressed powders, powder foundation... etc) as well as the velour puffs, fluffy type sponge, used in mineral foundations, loose powders... etc
  • Both types of sponges are cleaned in the same way, but the velour puffs are more delicate and should be handled more gently.
  • Use a soap based cleaner. I use the sponge cleaner from Daiso or handwashing soap.
  • Dampen the sponges, drip 3-4 drops of sponge cleaner or handwashing soap onto it.
  • Massage and squeeze the sponge until it lathers.
  • Rinse and repeat if necessary.
  • Squeeze the excess water out and lay out on a towel to air dry.
  • * This should be done at least every month.
Note:
- Latex sponges are not designed to last very long, tears and rips may form and make it difficult to use.
- Change your compact sponge every 3-4 months.

Eyeshadow applicators
These are troublesome little buggers.
I really hate them...
Not only because they pick up too much color but also because when you try to wash them, they fall apart so easily!!

I would recommend tossing them out, and getting eyeshadow brushes... OTL

However... you can 'clean' them, well, sort of...
This method will not remove bacteria and junk, BUT it will help take off excess color so that you don't get a muddy color when applying a different color...
  • Take a wet wipe (e.g.: baby wipe, antiseptic wipe) lay it on your palm.
  • LIGHTLY run the applicator over the wipe.
  • Repeat until no more color comes off.
I'll write more next time... I swear
Tesun

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