When you’re done using the wand, wipe it again—especially if you don’t store it inside the tube of mascara. You can also buy a simple tool called a Clump Cleaner to break up and remove clumps on your brush. This tool is a small piece of plastic with holes of different sizes. Choose the hole that matches the size of your brush and pull the bristles through it to wipe off excess mascara.
Make sure you know what your brush is made of before you try this, since alcohol can damage brushes made with natural bristles. You may be able to find the material listed on the packaging, if you still have it. Some makeup pros recommend doing this before every application of mascara. However, most dermatologists recommend washing or disinfecting your brushes every 7-10 days. [3] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
You can also buy a specially formulated makeup brush cleaner or shampoo, but these can be a little pricey. A basic baby shampoo or gentle clarifying shampoo usually works just fine. [5] X Research source Steer clear of using plain soaps, since these can dry out the delicate bristles of your brush. [6] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
When you’re done, rinse the brush under cool, running water to wash away any residue that’s still sticking to the bristles. If you want, you can spritz on a little rubbing alcohol to disinfect the brush after you soak and rinse it. Skip this step if the brush has natural bristles, however.
You may need to leave the wand out overnight for it to dry completely. Help the drying process along by gently patting your wand dry with a clean towel after you wash or rinse it to soak up excess water. You can also gently shake the wand to get excess water out. If you don’t keep your brush in the mascara tube, put it away in a clean makeup brush organizer when you’re done. Don’t let it touch brushes that haven’t been cleaned.
You can still wash the disposable brushes and use them for other purposes. For instance, you can use a mascara wand to groom your eyebrows, touch up your hair dye, or clean delicate items like a computer keyboard or a piece of jewelry. Some wildlife rescue organizations even welcome donations of used mascara wands, which they can use to groom rescued animals![10] X Research source
The same goes for your mascara. Throw it out and replace it every 3 months, since harmful bacteria can quickly build up in the tube. [12] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Opthamologists Professional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related research Go to source If you get an eye infection, throw away all your eye makeup and brushes right away. Don’t use eye makeup at all until the infection clears up, and only use new products once your doctor lets you know it’s okay.
