Like most women, I adore my collection of make-up brushes, which have taken me years to accumulate. They are the tools that allow me to paint on whatever fierce face I need for the day, they touch my skin intimately, and some of them have been with me for over a decade. I have the perfect brush for every need, some in duplicate for fear of losing or breaking it, and I can't imagine my cosmetics routine would be as successful without them. Recently, I purged my cosmetics stash, tossing expired products, and I got to thinking: do make-up brushes expire?
I take great care of them, washing and drying them weekly, and I use conditioning products to keep them supple--but is there a limit to how long they should come in contact with my skin? I spoke to my friend Tasha Neroni, who is a professional make-up artist and esthetician, to get the scoop on when it's time to toss my tools. She gave me the following tips, which really helped me figure out what I needed to do with my brush stash.
1. Are the brushes shedding?
If you're noticing a large number of bristles falling out of your brush, particularly during application, it may be time to ditch it. It likely means that the glue in place to hold the bristles in is cracking and losing potency, which means your brush has a one way ticket to bald town. If the glue has loosened, there isn't a way to fix it--but there might be a way to prevent it! When you wash your brushes, be gentle, don't submerge them in the soapy water, and gently lay them flat to dry. That will keep water from sinking into the base of the brush, which can cause unrepairable damage.
2. Is the application inconsistent?
Are you noticing that your products are applying poorly? Patchy delivery, blobs of products, and streaking can be signs that your brush density is diminishing. This could be from the bristles spreading, sinking, or flattening, which affects how well they can pick up and deliver cosmetics. If you notice that your once go-to brush doesn't seem to be up to the task of basic blush, foundation, or powder, it's time to toss it and find a new one. Not only will it continue to wreck your look, but it could begin to damage your product by transferring oils from your skin. Either way, it's bad news.
3. Are the handles cracked?
If the handles, ferrules, or applicators are broken, it's time to part ways immediately. Nasty bacteria can harbor in cracks, which will, in turn, transfer to your face and products. Accidents happen, and brushes can break, but this is one item you shouldn't try to DIY repair. Even if you regularly wash and sanitize your brushes, you're still at risk for nasty bugs living inside the broken pieces. It's better to trash them and find some replacements rather than risk infection.
4. Are they misshapen?
Oftentimes, lower quality brushes will generally lose their shape in their lifespan. This is completely normal and no amount of tender loving care can prevent it, but you should keep an eye out for the health of your bristles. If you notice they aren't bouncing back into place after washing them, it's time to toss. Uneven bristles mean uneven application, which will cause frustration in the long run. Don't bother with trimming natural brushes, either, since the loss of shape doesn't come from shedding, but from loosening of the ferrule. Basically, once it's lost it, there's no getting it back.
5. Do they have an odor?
Even rigorous drying can miss tiny water droplets, which leads to mold and mildew deep inside the brush. If you notice a stench, get rid of those babies fast! While it might not be harmful, you're still distributing mold and mildew to your skin, and into the pots of product where you dip your brush. To avoid this, either dry your brushes bristle side down or flat. Be sure you leave them where there's plenty of air circulation and use a sanitizing spray before storing them away again. If you notice that your favorite shadow brush is a little ripe, try washing and drying it to see if the odor dissipates--if it doesn't, move along to a replacement.
6. Is your Beauty Blender ragged?
If you use a Beauty Blender, you know they have a long lifespan, but they aren't immune to wear and tear. Examine it for cracks, rips, or holes, which can invite bacteria in to party. They can also suck up too much of your liquid products, such as foundation, primer, or blush, and distribute them poorly on your skin--and no one wants to look like a splotchy clown!
After reviewing Tasha's tips, I examined my collection and ended up tossing four brushes, which it turns out I had replacements ready for. This gave me a lot to think about and I'll definitely pay closer attention to how my tools are aging. What about you?
