Girls on film is cool but film on your makeup is not. Many clients have shown me their powder products that have changed over time and aren't sure what happened but they know their products' performance isn't what it used to be.
This is easily fixable; here's what you need to know: oils from the skin can accumulate in your brush or makeup sponge. As you're applying your makeup, day after day and most likely touching up after several hours of wear, the oils, dirt and dust from the environment (and bacteria, eeew) build up on your brush and get transferred onto the top layer of your powder compact, blush or eyeshadow, often leaving the surface hardened with a darkened appearance, which no longer releases any product onto your brush....sadness.
Though makeup upkeep requires occasional maintenance, this is quick and easy to fix: first, take your product and using a clean tissue or paper towel, gently wipe the surface of the product. After 1 or 2 swipes, you should see a fresh layer of makeup, now that the funky layer that formed, has been removed. If you've been coasting along for a time, you may have to swipe the surface several times before you get back to the clean, powdery goodness that lies beneath.
Next step; clean your tools. If you have a portable sponge, like the one that comes with a powder-foundation, such as MAC's Studiofix, wash that bad boy with your facial cleanser, rinse with warm water, squeeze out the moisture and lay to dry on a clean towel. Again, your sponge may require this step a few times before it looks clean, especially if you've been driving it til' the wheels fall off. You can also replace your sponge but in the interest of recycling and as a money-saving measure, most sponges can go through a few washings before replacement.
If your tools are makeup brushes, take a cup or small bowl, a few drops of hair shampoo, add a few drops of MAC's Antibacterial Brush Cleanser, then add water and swish the brushes around. Dump out and replace fresh water in the cup and swish brushes to rinse. I like to clean small eyeshadow brushes in one batch, larger blush and powder brushes in another batch. If brushes have never been cleaned or if it's been so long since they were cleaned that they can get up and dance by themselves like in the movie "Fantasia", this step may need to be repeated a few times before the water rinses clean.
Lastly, gently squeeze out excess moisture from brush hairs and lay flat on a clean towel to dry. Leave the ends of the brushes hanging off the towel to speed up drying and place them away from heat, direct sunlight and out of the way of children or pets. It's best to do this at the end of the day, so your tools can be dry and ready to go by morning.
Generally, it can take 2-4 hours for brushes to dry, so don't wash if you need to do your makeup again soon. I also clean my eyelash curlers, tweezers and any other metal tools in this manner (minus the squeezing, of course.) Brushes should be cleaned every 2-4 weeks, depending on how frequently your brushes are used. If you only use certain brushes daily and others occasionally, just wash the ones you use regularly, more often. Please note this recommended cleaning schedule is for personal use brushes. Pro makeup artists spot clean/sterilize as well as deep clean much more frequently since brushes are used professionally.
These steps take a few minutes but it's totally worth it; it will feel better as you use your "like new" products and your tools will feel much softer and smell pretty, making "making up", a much more beautiful experience.
