If you wear makeup regularly, you’ve likely heard the term clean makeup brushes quite often. But do you really know what that means? Do you have the right cleaning tools and products to be able to clean makeup brushes properly? It’s important to clean makeup brushes in order to reduce the number of harmful bacteria on them, which can cause acne breakouts, cold sores, and other skin infections. So if you want to get the most out of your expensive makeup products while preventing health issues, read on to learn how to keep your makeup brushes clean!
Soak your makeup brushes
When it comes to makeup brushes, one of the best ways you can make sure they stay clean is by keeping them wet. Soak your brushes in a warm solution (make sure it’s warm but not hot) with a small amount of baby shampoo or makeup brush cleaner for about 10 minutes before you use them. Rinse them well when you’re done and lay them flat on a towel or drying rack to dry. It’s important that your brushes be completely dry before storing or using them; otherwise, bacteria can build up, leading to breakouts and infections down the road.
Use shampoo
While most brushes are safe for use on dry skin, it’s important to use a gentle shampoo when cleaning them. Use lukewarm water and gently rub with your fingers or swirl in a bowl filled with water and shampoo. Then, rinse your brush with warm running water, making sure all of the soap has been removed. Next, squeeze excess water out of your brush by pressing it between two towels before placing it back on its stand. When storing makeup brushes in a cup or container while not in use, make sure they’re upright so any remaining moisture doesn’t ruin them!
Rinse with water
If you’re in a hurry, pat your brushes dry with a paper towel. This gets rid of most of the water and it dries quickly. However, don’t do it if you have one of those fancy brushes made from animal hair, because moisture can cause them to become mildewed. But for synthetic brushes or makeup tools that aren’t prone to mold or mildew, a little bit of water never hurt anyone.
Pat dry with a paper towel
Drying brushes properly is a vital part of keeping them in good condition. Make sure your brushes are completely dry before you start applying makeup again, otherwise water will mix with your makeup and leave residue on your face. To ensure that happens, pat dries each brush with a paper towel after washing it. This may take a few minutes longer than just rinsing with soap and water, but it will make all of your brushes last longer. And since these can be pricey items, making them last as long as possible is definitely worth it!
Let them air dry before you use them
To clean makeup brushes and last for a long time, you’ll want to let them air dry after you wash them. After all, there’s no sense in investing in expensive makeup brushes if they’re just going to get gross after a while. And they will—trust us! This is especially important if you use water-based products like liquid foundation and BB cream on a daily basis, as those tend to be more drying than oil-based products. This step won’t get rid of all dirt and oils (and certainly not deep-seated ones), but it will help extend your brushes’ life spans by keeping deep stains from setting into bristles.
READ HERE TO KNOW THE LIFESPAN OF MAKEUP BRUSHES!!