Makeup brushes tend to harbor various bacteria (germs) that can be harmful to your skin since makeup residue, oil, and dirt provide steady food for bacteria to thrive in. Thus, clean your makeup brushes after a maximum of ten days.
So, What Is The Proper Way To Clean Makeup Brushes?
With the proper care of cleaning makeup brushes, some distance can be kept between the skin and the damaging effects of acne, skin irritants, and infections.
Here is a step-by-step cleaning guide that will help you clean your makeup brushes:
- Rinse: Rinsing is the first step toward cleaning a makeup brush. Using lukewarm running water, rinse the tips of the makeup brushes only. This will eliminate some of the residual makeup products from the brushes. Be careful not to wet the entire brush head, as this may loosen the glue that binds the handle and head of the brush.
- Lathering: The next step involves a lathering agent such as shampoo; either clarifying or gentle is okay for this purpose. In a bowl with lukewarm water, put a tablespoon of either kind of shampoo. Avoid using soap on your brushes, as this may cause them to dry out.
- Swirl and work: Once you’ve mixed up the shampoo and water solution, swirl the tips of your brushes in the mixture. You could also work the brush tips through your palm to create additional lather.
- Rinse: Rinse the tips of your brushes a second time under running water.
- Repeat: Repeat the sham-pool or rinse until the water running from the brush looks clear. This is a sign that all the makeup residue is out of your brushes.
- Squeeze: Squeeze out the excess water from the bristles using clean, dry paper towels once you are sure your brushes are clean.
- Dry: Now that your brushes are somewhat dry from the squeezing, lay them flat on a dry towel. The tips of the brushes must be off the edge, down, not upright. If you place the brushes upright, the water will run down towards the bristles and cause the glue to loosen.
Jessup Lip Brush Set
$15.99 $19.30
Jessup Lip Brush Set, Professional Lip Makeup Brushes for Lipstick Streak-Free Application, Premium Synthetic Hair,Contour Define and Accentuate Your Lip 5pcsT325
Buy NowOur Score
How long does it take for makeup brushes to dry? It usually takes about a day or a few. You can also leave them laying around overnight after cleaning them.
After washing, it is normal for the bristles of the makeup brush to feel stiff. To condition the bristles, just apply a little bit of conditioner on them and rinse with water. Lay flat to dry. This may help soften the bristles.
How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes
A couple of home products can also be used to clean makeup brushes. Among these are:
- Liquid detergent: Liquid detergents can completely remove the already caked makeup product residue. Apply some liquid detergent on to a sponge and wipe your brushes on the soapy sponge. Rinse the brush under lukewarm water, wipe it out with a towel and place it flat to dry.
- Vinegar-lemon: A combination of vinegar and lemon serves as a great disinfectant. It goes a long way in killing germs and leaving your brushes with a pleasant smell after cleaning. For cleaning, mix two tablespoons of white vinegar with a hot cup of water. Souse the tip of your brush in this mixture and then rinse with lukewarm water. Then, cut a lemon open and run the brush against it to remove the smell of vinegar. Apple cider vinegar can also serve as a great option to use in combination with lemon.
- Baby shampoo: Baby shampoo does a great job of cleaning makeup brushes. It’s also really gentle on the bristles. Pour a little into a bowl of lukewarm water and swirl your makeup brushes around in it. Massage the bristles with your fingers. Then just run the brush under some water and leave it flat to dry.
How Frequently Should Makeup Brushes Be Cleaned?
How often to be cleaning a makeup brush actually depends on what kind of makeup you’re using. If you work with brushes for applying wet products or makeup that contains liquid ingredients, you might have to clean it more frequently. An ideal situation would be shampooing this brush at least once a week. That should be enough to wash off product, and helpful to the efficiency of the brush when applying.
For the brushes meant around the eyes, clean them every two weeks. The same goes for brushes that apply dry makeup (e.g., eyeshadow and eyeliner); this is because your eyes are more prone to infections than your skin.
The brushes you would use to apply dry products such as powder on your skin require washing only once a month.
Next, consider other items like sponges you may be using for liquid use. They absorb all moisture with makeup. If not properly cleaned, the sponge may cause the growth of yeasts and bacteria on the skin. Most makeup brands are made with preservatives to stop this from happening. However, if the makeup becomes overly caked for some months, then you can get infected if there is a cut on your skin.
Essentials Makeup Brush Set
$14.99 $19.99
Real Techniques 5 Piece Everyday Essentials Makeup Brush Set, Includes 4 Brushes & Makeup Sponge, For Foundation, Blush, Bronzer, Contour, Eyeshadow, & Powder, Travel Gift Set, Cruelty-Free & Vegan
Buy NowOur Score
Now, it is time to discard them and buy new ones. If they are worn and lost their shape, this is the perfect time to throw them out. Not that keeping unproductive brushes makes sense.
