A spoolie brush is an underrated makeup tool. It can come in handy when it comes to lashes and eyebrows by removing any clumps and adding volume. The spoolie is also great for the application of makeup like brow gel and mascara.
Most spoolies are made with synthetic hair that can cling to a product, but it also attracts tiny particles and dirt. Therefore, a spoolie needs to be cleaned, just like a traditional makeup brush. Thankfully, this isn't a complicated process.
We are going to go over everything you need to know about a spoolie, including how to clean it.
What Is a Spoolie Brush?
A spoolie is a spiral-bristled brush, and most are made from synthetic nylon. If you're new to the makeup world, first, welcome. Second, you'll start to see spoolies incorporated in products and on their own. They can help you achieve any look.
Spoolie brushes of different sizes are in tubes of mascara and eyebrow gel. Eyebrow pencils often have the pencil on one side and a spoolie on the other. You may never realize how essential a spoolie is until it's missing.
The spoolie brush can fix mistakes and make everything appear a little cleaner. It comes in handy when you want to soften your brow look or remove clumps of mascara from your eyelashes. The brush helps give your makeup a slightly more natural look.
A spoolie is often useful when you need to trim your brows. No other tool can get your eyebrow hairs to stand up the same so you can get the job done. It also helps you see more clearly the brow hairs that need to be plucked on the bottom line.
A spoolie should be an essential makeup tool in everyone's collection. Even if you don't wear a lot of makeup, it can help you fluff up your brows and make them look well-groomed. If you have false eyelashes, you probably already have a spoolie, but if not, you need one. When they get a little wonky, a spoolie can straighten them out. There are countless uses for this tool.
Why You Should Clean Your Spoolie Brush
A tool that you can use for so many things will get dirty quickly. A spoolie brush with dried on makeup or debris can be basically useless. It can also lead to more serious things. We know that cleaning your makeup tools feels tedious and not important, but you may be putting yourself at risk if you don't.
You can spend an arm and a leg on skincare and makeup, but if you don't make sure what you're using to apply these products is clean, you may be doing more harm than good. An unclean makeup tool is an ideal breeding ground for nasty bacterias. For example, E. coli, MRSA, and other bacteria that cause fungal infections. Gross!
Here are several possible negative side effects of dirty makeup tools.
Staph Infection
A spoolie can collect dead skin cells, dirt, oil, and bacteria. When a harmful bacteria comes in contact with your face, you can end up with a Staph infection. This type of infection can lead to serious complications if left untreated, including brain damage, blindness, and paralyzation.
You may think you have a cystic pimple, but it may be a form of Staph known as cellulitis. It Is an infection in the deeper layers of skin and causes skin redness and swelling. Cellulitis will look like sores that may have discharge. If you think you may have an infection, you should go to a doctor right away.
Conjunctivitis
Sharing your spoolie with your friends can spread conjunctivitis. This is a much more common and treatable infection than Staph. However, it is something you should try to avoid.
Skin Irritation
If you're using a dirty spoolie, your skin may begin showing signs of irritation. Your skin doesn't like the added bacteria and grime.
Accelerating Wrinkles
A dirty spoolie may expose your skin to oxidative stress from free radicals, which is an atom with an unpaired electron. Basically, these atoms cause the collagen and elastin in your skin to break down faster, which leads to premature aging.
As you can see, there are countless reasons to keep your makeup tools clean, including your spoolie. The minor inconvenience of having to clean them is nothing compared to what not cleaning can lead to.
How To Clean Your Spoolie Brush
Now that you know the dangers of not cleaning your spoolie, let's go over how you can keep it bacteria-free.
Synthetic spoolies are easy to clean. You just need a paper towel and a makeup brush cleaning solution.
- Step 1: Apply the solution to the spoolie and twist it in the paper towel. You may need to do this a few times, depending on how much buildup there is.
- Step 2: Leave your spoolie in the open air until it's dry before using it again.
If your spoolie happens to made of natural bristles, you have to clean it a little differently than synthetic bristles.
- Step 1: You should use a brush shampoo versus a solution. Look for a product that doesn't have alcohol in it since this can damage the bristles. Then, gently rub the shampoo into the spoolie, breaking up the makeup and dirt. Use a back and forth motion over your palm to help clean it.
- Step 2: Run the spoolie under water until the shampoo has been rinsed out completely.
- Step 3: Pat the bristles dry with a towel and leave it to dry before use.
How Often Should You Clean Your Spoolie?
You should clean your spoolie every one to two weeks. If you take care of them, they can last for years. Once your spoolie starts shedding bristles, it's time for a new one.
Why You Need a Spoolie Brush
There are many reasons that you need a spoolie brush. We have briefly gone over some of the different uses, but let's really dive in.
Brushing Your Brows
The spoolie's principal use is to brush your brow hairs. Using a spoolie is the fastest way to make them look polished and in place. Once you've applied your brow product, like TatBrow's Microblade Brow Pen, you can brush through your brows with a spoolie to add volume and finish the look.
If you are trying to achieve a brow lamination look, a spoolie is essential. To create a feathery brow look, you need to brush your brows up. After, apply a product that will keep your brow hairs up, like TatBrow Ultra Hold Gel. If you accidentally apply too much gel, you can use a clean spoolie to remove some of the product without ruining the style.
Plucking Your Brows
You obviously can't pluck your eyebrows with a spoolie, but it can help with the process. If you have thicker brows, it can be harder to see the hairs that you need to pluck to create a defined edge. Your spoolie can help you brush up your brow hairs so you can see the root line. Once you can see the root line, you can pluck any hairs that are tampering with her perfect brow shape.
Seperating Your Lashes
You may have applied a second or third coat of mascara only to realize you've gone a step too far. Your lashes now look heavy and clumpy and not how you wanted. Instead of taking off your mascara and starting over, grab a spoolie. Brush it through your eyelashes several times to remove the clumps and separate your lashes.
Growing Your Brows
When you're growing your brows out naturally or with a growth serum, like TatBrow's Brow Enhancement Serum, your brows may start to look unruly. However, you don't want to pluck out the hairs you've been working hard to grow, even if it may be hard to fight the urge. Reach for a spoolie instead of tweezers. The brush can help your groom your brow hairs, and once you fill in the sparse spots with a brow pen, your brows will look great.
In Summary
A spoolie is a magical makeup tool that everyone should have in their makeup bag. It can keep your lashes and brows looking groomed and defined. It can help your makeup look more natural and soft if you know how to use it.
When you do start using it, make sure you clean it often. A dirty spoolie can lead to a lot of different health issues, including serious infections. Thankfully, cleaning your spoolie is a simple process. Remember, there are different cleaning techniques for synthetic bristles and natural bristles.
TatBrow brow gels use spoolies to help you achieve your desired eyebrow look. You can also use a clean spoolie to touch up your brows with other brow products, like pens. You won't regret incorporating a spoolie into your routine.
Sources:
How to Clean a Spoolie by Top 7 Different Ways? | Bliss Egg
These Are Dangers Of Not Washing Your Makeup Brushes | Cosmo