Anyone who likes to wear makeup regularly must be using these makeup tools on a daily basis. And if you use them daily, they get dirty more often. And dirty brushes along with pile of makeup products cause many skin related problems if not cleaned on time. Makeup brushes can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria so we should try to wash our makeup brushes after every seven to ten days because of this can compromise your complexion as well as your health – in the form of acne and rashes. Dirty makeup brushes can lead to infections like fungal infections, E. coli or staph infections, which can be very serious. And this is why cleaning makeup brush set becomes so important. If you are absolutely new to this side of makeup and perhaps wondering how to clean brushes, then this blog is especially for you.
Here's a step-by-step process you can use to effectively clean your makeup brushes:
- Rinse your brush heads with warm, running water to remove any remaining makeup: Rinsing is the first step in cleaning a makeup brush. You can wash your brushes at your sink, Rinse the tips of your brushes under lukewarm, running water to remove residual makeup. I do not suggest soaking your entire brush in a jar of water or cleaner, as the brush head will eventually dissolve the glue that attaches the brush head to the handle and it will fall off/break.
- Shampoo the brush: Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and one tablespoon of gentle shampoo or clarifying shampoo. The measurements don't have to be exact, but try to stick to a ratio of 1:2(1 part shampoo and 2 parts water). Avoid using soap on your brushes as it can dry out the bristles. Alternatively, use makeup cleanser or brush detergent if you have it.
- Add olive oil and coconut oil: Oil-based foundations and concealers can be difficult to remove from your makeup brushes, so add 1 tablespoon of olive or coconut oil to help break down the product and clean your brushes. If you use natural oil bristles, consider adding oil, as natural oils can help keep the bristles in top shape.
- Swirl the brushes in mixture: Swirl each brush tip into the bowl after adding the shampoo, oil and water. You can also massage the tip of the brush into the palm of your hand to create a lather.This helps to stimulate the bristles more and provides a deeper clean. Do this for about 20 seconds. The mixture will become cloudy as you clean your brushes—this is a good sign. This means that makeup is coming off your brush.
- Rinse the brush: Rinse the ends of your brush a second time under running water until all the soap or shampoo is completely removed. If the water is completely clear, your brush is ready to use.
- Squeeze out the water: Make sure your brushes are not wet before drying. Use your hands or a clean paper towel to gently squeeze the bristles until they are wet. Do not twist or rub brushes, as forceful movements may damage the bristles. Avoid tilting the brush upward when wet to avoid water getting into the handle.
- Hang your brushes to dry: Hang the ends of your washed brushes over the edge of a counter or table to dry for a few hours. This way, the hair will air dry normally and not get flattened. Do not dry your brushes directly in a container, as this will cause water to get under the brushes, which will loosen the glue that connects the brush head to the handle. Don't use heat to dry your brushes! Hair dryers can damage and deform the bristles, especially if they are synthetic.