Makeup brushes are essential tools for achieving a flawless and professional makeup look. However, many people often overlook the importance of cleaning and maintaining their brushes. Dirty brushes can harbour bacteria, affect the application of makeup, and even lead to skin issues. In this guide, we’ll discuss how to clean and take care of your makeup brushes, how often you should clean them, why it’s crucial, and how to store and dry them properly.
Why Clean Your Makeup Brushes?
Preventing Bacterial Build-Up: Makeup brushes can accumulate oils, makeup residue, and dead skin cells over time, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. When you use dirty brushes, you’re essentially transferring this bacteria to your face, which can lead to breakouts and skin irritations.
Maintaining Brush Performance: As makeup builds up on the bristles, the brush becomes less effective at picking up and distributing makeup evenly. This can result in streaky and uneven makeup application.
Extending Brush Lifespan: Regular cleaning and proper care can significantly extend the life of your brushes. Clean brushes maintain their shape and softness, ensuring they continue to work effectively.
Enhancing Makeup Results: Clean brushes lead to better makeup results – my favourite brushes are the ones from Real Technique – good quality and reasonably priced. You’ll notice that your makeup blends more seamlessly, and you’ll use less product, which can save you money in the long run.
How Often Should You Clean Your Brushes?
The frequency of brush cleaning depends on how often you use them and the type of products you apply. However, as a general guideline:
Foundation and Concealer Brushes: Clean these brushes ideally after every use – it may seem a lot, but liquid and cream products tend to leave more residue and require more frequent cleaning.
Eye Brushes: Eyeshadow and eyeliner brushes should ideally be cleaned at least once a week. If you use bold or dark colours, it’s a good idea to clean them more often.
Blush and Powder Brushes: These can be cleaned every two weeks or as needed. Powder products are less likely to harbour bacteria.
Lip Brushes: Clean lip brushes ideally after each use, especially if you’re using bold or dark lip colours.
How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes:
Considering how often we should be washing our makeup brushes, it is worth investing in a make up cleaning gadget like the stylPro. I use this and love the convenience – brushes are clean and dry in 5 to 10 seconds!
Alternatively, to wash your brushes by hand, you’ll need a gentle brush cleaner, mild shampoo, warm water, a small bowl, and a clean towel.
Wet the Bristles: Run the bristles of the brush under warm water. Make sure not to wet the handle or the ferrule (the metal part connecting the bristles to the handle) as it can damage the brush over time.
Cleanse: Dip the brush into a mixture of water and gentle shampoo or brush cleaner. Gently swirl the brush in your palm or on a silicone brush cleaning mat to lather the product.
Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the bristles under warm water until the water runs clear, and all the soap residue is removed.
Shape and Dry: Gently reshape the bristles and lay the brush flat on a clean towel to air dry. Make sure the bristles hang over the edge of a counter or table, so air can circulate around them.
How to Store Your Makeup Brushes:
Proper storage helps maintain your brushes’ shape and cleanliness.
Brush Holder: Use a brush holder to keep your brushes upright, with the bristles facing up. This prevents deformation of the bristles and keeps them free from dust.
Travel Case: When on the go, use a brush travel case to protect your brushes from damage and dirt.
Clean Environment: Store your brushes in a clean and dry environment to avoid dust and moisture buildup.
Avoiding Bristle Damage:
Avoid Harsh Products: Don’t use harsh chemicals, such as acetone, to clean your brushes as they can damage the bristles.
Gentle Handling: Be gentle when cleaning and handling your brushes. Vigorous scrubbing and squeezing can lead to bristle breakage.
Drying Your Brushes Quickly:
To dry your brushes quickly, you can use a hairdryer on the lowest heat setting, but be cautious not to overheat them. Alternatively, invest in a brush drying rack that allows your brushes to dry in an optimal, bristle-friendly position.
But if you have a stylPro brush cleaner like me you’ll know how quick and easy the brushes dry – literally in an instant! Ready to reuse again. You can buy the stylPro cleaning solution in a large bottle too.
In conclusion, taking care of your makeup brushes is not only hygienic but also essential for achieving a flawless makeup look. Regular cleaning, proper storage, and gentle handling will ensure your brushes stay in great condition, and in turn, your skin will thank you with a radiant, blemish-free complexion. So, make cleaning and caring for your makeup brushes a regular part of your beauty routine!
