Fashion

You Should Clean Your Tweezers How Often?!

by Alexa Tucker

Bad news, guys: We definitely need to be cleaning our tweezers more often. According to SheFinds, everyone should clean their tweezers after every use. Yep, every single time. Ugh.

It sounds tedious, but as it turns out, there's good reason to be diligent about keeping your tweezers squeaky clean. Tweezers, if left alone, can be home to some serious bacteria buildup, says SheFinds. It makes sense, considering all of the counters they're left on and makeup bags they're tossed into. Probably not the cleanest of spots, come to think of it.

That's definitely not something to brush off — by touching your tweezers to your face (which happens every so often when we're on the hunt for stray strands), all that bacteria can end up on your skin. And we all know what that means: Blemishes, pimples, and so on. Definitely not part of the "brows on fleek" package.

I know, I know. We've got enough steps in our beauty routine without adding another to the process. But really, the fix isn't so bad. To remedy the problem, beauty fan favorite Tweezerman recommends "using isopropyl alcohol on a cotton ball or single-use alcohol wipes found in most drug stores" after every use, reports SheFinds. Alright, I can deal with that.

Curad Alcohol Swabs, $6, Amazon

But, hey, maybe this is just the perfect opportunity to invest in some new tweezers and start from scratch! To avoid irritation, SheFinds recommends choosing a stainless steel option. (Really, Tweezerman makes some pretty great ones.)

Tweezerman Pink Perfection Slant Tweezer, $23, Sephora

Well, there you have it — time for a thorough tweezer refresh. Here are four other beauty tools you might need to up your cleansing game with, too:

Makeup Brushes

Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

OK, you probably already knew you should be cleaning your makeup brushes more often (and if you're right on track, all hail. I applaud you.) Makeup artist Bobbi Brown told Allure that concealer and foundation brushes (which touch your face) should be cleaned once a week, brushes around the eyes should be cleaned once a month, and everything else can be dealt with once a month. Here are some handy makeup brush cleaning tips.

Eyelash Curlers

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, $21, Shu Uemura

Makeup artist Vicki Millar told cleanmyspace.com that eyelash curler pads should be cleaned every week (and they should be replaced every three months.) You can clean your eyelash curler the same way you give your tweezers a wash, with rubbing alcohol or wipes.

Hairbrushes

Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush, $27, Aveda

Yup, that's right — you should definitely be cleaning your hairbrushes, according to Allure. Once a month, clean your hairbrush by running a fine-tooth comb through the brush to pick up hair, Sally Hershberger stylist Matt Fugate told the site. "Then, run it under the sink and use your hands to massage the bristles to break up product that may be stuck in it," he adds. Finish up with a blast from the blow dryer.

Cleansing Brushes

Charley Gallay/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Just because your Clarisonic cleanses your face doesn't mean you don't have to clean it, too. Racked recommends giving your facial brush some love with warm, soapy water once a week to prevent bacteria.

Images: Fotolia; Courtesy of brands