There are two types of people in the world: those that do things in a timely fashion, and those that don’t. I fall into the latter camp. Everything - from work deadlines to taking out the bins - gets left into the very last minute when disaster is just around the corner. The same goes for cleaning my make-up brushes. I know I should do it more often, yet until it is so caked in product that the hairs have glommed together into one solid wand I don’t even consider adding it to my ‘to-do’ list.
While I know unadulterated laziness is mostly to blame, I’m also aware that the process is a messy faff that’s time-consuming. But, what if it wasn’t? There’s a new product on the market from Sigma called ‘The Palmat’, which promises to streamline and speed up the whole process. Keen to know if works, we put it to the test…
What Is This Make-Up Brush Cleaner ?
In an attractive acid green, the Palmat is a two-sided plastic tool that slides around your hand to create a suction-held brush cleaning glove. The idea is simple: spread your brush cleansing fluid on the mat and use one of the tool’s four silicone surfaces to give your utensil a deep-clean.
How Does This Make-Up Brush Cleaner Work?
After wetting the bristles of my Mac foundation brush I dunked a little Bioderma Micellar Water on top of it and proceeded to swirl the head over the different surfaces. It did take a few tries to rid my brush of all its dried-in make-up, but after a few cleanses the water began to run clear and it was time to dry the brush. I squeezed out the excess liquid and then lay it to dry on a paper towel.
Unlike my previous experiences cleaning brushes, it wasn’t very messy Plus, the fact that the tool is made of plastic meant it was incredibly quick to clean with just a quick rinse of warm water.
Why Bother Cleaning Make-Up Brushes?
Unclean make-up brushes can accumulate not only dead skin cells, dirt, oil and pollution chemicals, but also a whole host of micro-organisms such as bacteria and fungi. These can cause potential problems such as irritation, skin infections, aggravation of acne breakouts and/or folliculitis.’ Explains dermatologist Dr Stefanie Williams, ‘Although there are no clinical studies to formally confirm this, in theory, dirty make-up brushes may possibly also contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin and thus may result in premature skin ageing via exposure of the skin to oxidative stress from free radicals. Wheather this really is the case remains to be seen.’
Is It Worth It?
Though not the most costly element in my make-up bag it’s a worthy investment as it extends the lifetime of my best brushes without damaging their texture.
**READ MORE: Natural Anti-Depressants **
Discover: Natural Anti Depressants
1 of 11Omega 3
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential minerals which reduce inflammation and are vital to brain functions such as mood and memory. Your body doesn't produce them naturally so you can only get them in you via food (like fish, nuts and seeds) or dietary supplements.
2 of 11Vitamin D
In addition to bone health, Vitamin D can play a vital role in the areas of the brain that are linked to the development of depression and other mental health problems.
3 of 11S Adenosylemthionine
SAMeis a molecule that the body naturally forms and is available as a dietary supplement. In addition to depression and anxiety, it can be used for many other conditions including heart disease, fibromyalgia, tendonitis and many more. It is also recommended for PMS. It works by making sure that chemicals in the body that play a role in pain, depression, liver disease, and other conditions, actually do their job.
4 of 115-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
Like SAMe,5-HTP is also a chemical (an essential amino acid) that the body makes naturally. It works by helping to raise the serotonin (the happy hormone) levels in the brain. 5-HTP has been known to have a positive effect on sleep, mood, anxiety, appetite, and pain.
5 of 11Roseroot Herb
A study conducted on whether the Rhodiola Rosea (Roseroot) herb was effective for depression showed that it was almost as effective as the popular antidepressant, Sertraline (Zoloft), but with fewer side effects. The herb boasts strengthening the nervous system, fighting depression, enhancing the immune system and memory, elevating stamina, aiding in weight-loss and increasing sexual function.
6 of 11Iron
A lot of adults, especially women, suffer from iron deficiency, and guess what? Iron deficiency symptoms are pretty similar to depression symptoms, i.e. fatigue, irritability, and foggy brain. The recommended daily iron allowance in adults is roughly 8 to 18 mg daily (check with your doctor though because everyone's number is different).
7 of 11Folate
If you don't have enough folate, antidepressants may not work. Some docs prescribe folate along with antidepressants to treat depression and improve the effectiveness the medication. Most adults need at least 0.4mg daily, which you can though food including dark leafy greens, beans and citrus fruit, or as a supplement.
8 of 11B12
Vitamin B-12 and other B vitamins can play a role in producing mood-affecting brain chemicals and low levels of these may be linked to depression. If you have a poor diet and the body can not absorb enough B vits, your mood can be severely affected. Getting a blood test will determine how much of the B goodness you have in your system, and whether you need to stock up. B vitamins are found in animal products like milk, fish, meat and eggs, so if you are a vegan, you should definitely be getting your B's from dietary supplements and vitamins.
9 of 11Zinc
Zinc is crucial to our system as it activates our digestive enzymes breaking down food, and helps prevent food allergies, which can avert depression. It also helps our DNA to produce and repair proteins, control inflammation and boost our immune system.
10 of 11Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid which you get through food such as bananas, tamarind, oats, sesame seeds, kiwi and watermelon. Once in the body, it converts to niacin, serotonin and melatonin. Most antidepressants work by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain and Tryptophan helps to increase serotonin levelswithout the extreme side effects of meds.
11 of 11St John Wort
St John's Wort has been around for yonks and is one of the most popular natural methods used for dealing with stress, anxiety and depression. It's a plant with yellow flowers. There has been some scientific evidence that St. John's wort may be helpful in treating mild depression. It's been claimed that it works just like regular antidepressants in that it inhibits the reuptake of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.