How To Clean Makeup Brushes The Right Way | Beauty School
When was the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes?
And I don’t just mean wiping excess product off with a tissue. I mean, actually washed them? I’m ashamed to admit that for the longest time, I didn’t realize how crucial it was to wash my makeup brushes.
Consider this: your face isn’t always the cleanest. And time and again, you’re applying foundation, concealer, blush, eyeshadow, and more, with the same brushes, to the same areas of your face. And then you wonder why you get breakouts or eye infections or adverse reactions to products?
Face it, your brushes need a good clean. But you shouldn’t just use hand soap to wash your brushes. Please, spare them this fate. Ready to learn how to clean makeup brushes the right way?
Here’s an easy to follow tutorial for brush maintenance:
How do you wash makeup brushes?
Start by running the bristles under warm water, rinsing out any built up makeup. Then, using a gentle soap work up a lather with your fingers or the palm of your hand. Run the bristles under the warm water once more, until the brush runs clean of soap. Lay your brush out on a flat surface to dry.
How often should you clean your makeup brushes?
Every few weeks will give you the best results. It may seem like a chore, but it will stop bacteria building up on the bristles, and also make your brushes last longer – and if you’ve got nice makeup brushes, you want to get the most out of your investment. Between applications, you can actually just a makeup brush cleanser on them to help keep them cleaner for longer.
Makeup sponges, even cheap ones, should be cleaned after every use, because they soak up makeup and whatever they’ve picked up from being applied to your face and if you don’t wash them out (warm water and gentle soap, see below for instructions) they will just retain all of that dirt and makeup for the next use.
How long do makeup brushes last?
This all depends on the quality of your brushes. Obviously nicer, better quality brushes will last longer (and are also going to give you a better result, application wise). But a good cleaning routine will also make brushes last longer, as it keeps makeup from building up and drying on the brushes.
Just make sure you don’t submerge your brushes in water, as this will loosen the glue that holds the brush together, eventually causing them to fall apart.
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How long does it take for makeup brushes to dry?
You should definitely clean brushes after you’ve applied your makeup for the day, as they can take up to 24 hours to dry, depending on the brush (or sponge). They should be laid flat to dry, on a paper towel or flat surface. I don’t recommend using a regular towel, as this can promote mildew growth on your brushes, which defeats the point of cleaning them in the first place!
What can I use to clean my makeup brushes?
There are a few ways to clean your brushes, so you can experiment and see which option works best for you. I prefer to use a soap made especially for makeup brushes, which you can pick up at most any makeup counter.
You can also use a mixture of dish soap, water, and olive oil or vinegar if you don’t want to splash out on an expensive cleanser. Baby soap or shampoo also works as a gentle cleanser. Try different options and see how your brushes feel after you’ve cleaned them.
Of course, this all depends on how often you use your makeup brushes, what sort of makeup your using (eye shadow and blush won’t build up on the brush the same way a concealer or foundation will) and the quality of your brush.
Poor quality brushes might not hold up after a few good cleanings, so be gentle with them, and definitely make sure you don’t get the handle wet when you wash them! Overall, use your common sense when cleaning. You know what brushes you use the most, and how sensitive your skin is.
But healthy, clean brushes, will promote healthy, clean skin, so a good brush cleansing routine will benefit you in the long run!
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How do you wash your makeup brushes?
