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.
How often should you clean your makeup brushes?
This means that you should never go too far when it comes to cleaning makeup brushes. Ideally, you should clean them after every use.
Liquid Brushes: Daily
Using liquid-based products can lead to bacteria growing on your brushes. Be sure to clean all brushes with liquid foundations, concealers and shadows after every use.
Powder Brushes: 1-2 times a week
Powder doesn't allow bacteria to grow like liquid makeup, so you can definitely get away with washing your powder brushes less often. Still, they should be cleaned at least once a week.
Sponges: Daily use
This sponge cleans everything it comes into contact with, including bacteria! That's why you need to clean makeup sponges just like liquid-filled brushes after every use.
Cleaning products for makeup brushes
For cleaning your makeup brushes, you'll require some water, and either a mild soap or a makeup brush cleanser. Various specific makeup brush cleansers are available. However, if you find yourself without one, you can happily use a mild liquid or a bar soap, baby shampoo, or even dish soap. Just remember to use gentle, non-dyed, and fragrance-free formulas, as they could cause irritation and discomfort to your skin. Always ensure that soap is thoroughly rinsed out before laying out to dry.
Here is how you can clean makeup brushes efficiently by following these steps:
- Wash your brush head with warm, running water to remove any remaining makeup: The first step in cleaning makeup brushes is to wash them. While you can wash your brushes in the sink, just rinse the ends of your brushes with warm, running water to remove any remaining makeup. I don't recommend soaking your entire brush in a jar of water or cleaner, as the brush head will eventually break down the adhesive that holds it to the handle and it will then fall apart.
- Shampoo the brush: Mix some lukewarm water and a tablespoon of mild shampoo or clarifying shampoo in a bowl. The measurements don't have to be very exact, but try to keep them at about a 1:2 ratio (1 part shampoo and 2 parts water). Be careful using soap on the brush; it can dry out the bristles faster. Otherwise, you can use a makeup cleanser or brush detergent if you have some lying around.
- Add olive oil and coconut oil: When foundation and concealer are oil-based, makeup tends to stick to brushes in a very stubborn way, so use 1 tablespoon of olive or coconut oil to dissolve the product to clean brushes. If your brush has naturally oiled bristles, adding some oil is a good idea as natural oils will help the bristles maintain their best quality.
- Swirl the brush tip in the liquid: After adding the shampoo, oil, and water, swirl all the brush heads in the jug. You can also gently rub the brush tips against your palm to create a lather. This will thoroughly clean the bristles. Do this for about 20 seconds. The more you rinse, the cloudier the solution will appear. This means that makeup is coming off your brush.
- Rinse the brush: Rinse your brush tips a second time under running water until all the soap or shampoo is completely gone. If the water runs clear, your brush is ready to use.
- Squeeze out the water: Make sure the brushes are dry before drying them. Use your hands or a clean paper towel and gently squeeze the bristles until they're no longer wet. Don't twist or rub the brush as this can damage the bristles. Try not to hold the brush up when it's wet so that water doesn't reach the handle.
- Hang your brushes to dry: Hang your washed brush heads over the edge of a counter or table to dry for a few hours. This way, the bristles will air dry normally and won't flatten. Don't dry your brushes directly in a container, as this will drive water underneath the brush, which will loosen the glue that connects the brush head to the handle. Don't dry your brushes with heat! Hair dryers can damage or warp the bristles, especially synthetic ones.
Also, remember other products used with liquids: sponges. Like any other sponge, they will absorb water and makeup on your skin. If you do not keep this sponge clean, it can invite yeast and bacteria on your skin.
NOTE:
Leave your brushes in the container while drying. The water will flow through the brush and eventually separate all the parts. This is a message to all those who keep wet brushes in containers with others.
Given the rising cases of skin infections, people should be discouraged from sharing their makeup brushes with their friends. Also, they should clean their makeup brushes at regular intervals.
When should you replace your makeup brushes?
Dear, thorough cleaning and maintenance does increase the life of the brushes but they still need to be put in the sack and replaced.
When the bristles are falling out, fraying or losing shape and order on the brush that pulls, it is definitely time to throw away the makeup brushes. Applying and blending becomes a chore and at times, when your brush doesn’t work properly, it is beyond saving or helping in any way.
Tip: Everything related to makeup and beauty should never feel like a chore! If you tend to procrastinate cleaning your brushes and don’t enjoy the process, try making cleaning part of your evening beauty ritual one night a week. This way, both your skin and your brushes get a session of pampering overnight!
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