They say “all good things in life must come to an end,” and unfortunately, it’s true—especially in the case of your beloved beauty blender.

The makeup industry has evolved greatly to introduce numerous products such as foundation, eyeshadow, and concealer, just to name a few. To add to that generosity, consumers are also inundated with various secondary options like applicators such as brushes and beauty blenders. Beauty blenders started gaining attention in 2015 when they were first introduced as a ground-breaking applicator that flawlessly glides your foundation across your skin.

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However, just like any other skin-related product, beauty blenders are also subjected to certain sanitary standards because they come directly in contact with your skin. And that too, pretty regularly.

So how do you know when it’s time to bid farewell to your beloved beauty blender?

Sign #1 - Odd Smell

It’s a makeup sponge so of course, it is also going to smell like one. But over time, you’ll notice your beauty blender retaining a particularly damp musk that just won’t leave. Usually, this happens when you wash your beauty blender but are unable to get all of the water out of the sponge. When you wash your sponge, you have to let it sit in an upright position in a well-ventilated area to allow the water to drop out slowly. If that doesn’t happen, your blender gets full of icky water which creates a bad odor. Plus, it’s a wonder how many germs can stick to the sponge when it’s wet.

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Sign #2 - Over Three Months Old

If you’ve used a beauty blender for over three months, you might as well get yourself an appointment with the dermatologist. And while you’re at it, go and pick out a new one for yourself too. In addition to several beauty products, a blender is constantly in contact with your skin, which is not always 100% clean. You can clean the blender once or twice (or more if you’re a neat freak) but you can’t completely rid it of all the germs and bacteria that might be clinging onto it. So, it is suggested that you get rid of your beauty blender altogether after you’ve used it for three months.

Pexels | This rule applies to all your makeup applicators, too

Rather than using an artificially manufactured product, you could just as easily use your hands as a blender—nature’s gift for perfect blending.