How to: Clean your makeup brushes

I have noticed many times that some women don’t pay attention about the hygiene in their make-up bag. The most important is the hygiene of your make-up brushes, where are residues of old make-up, dirt, oils,… Cleaning them on a regular basis is essential to avoid skin problems (pimples, infections,..), caused by all these impurities. I clean my brushes after every use, but I suggest you to clean yours at least every 3 days. Even when you buy new brushes, please clean them properly before using them. Another good reason for cleaning your brushes is also the residue of different colors. When you apply an eyeshadow with a brush and then you reapply other colors with the same brush, you will get “dirty colors”. Color pigments melt between each other and the result is not anymore the same “clean” color as you have picked it from your palette.  Cleaning your brushes is easy and it should not take you more than 5 minutes. I will explain you how I am used to clean my personal and also professional brushes. It is a process that has become my regular routine, so I have always fresh brushes ready to work with. I assure you that still now, after many years, I have all my brushes, from cheap to very expensive ones, still in perfect shape and condition. They are like new!

Cleaning your makeup brushes

You need a clean towel and a mild soap. I use the organic Dr. Bronner Baby Mild Liquid Soap (or bar version). It is my favorite one, cause is unscented and very gentle, but more than enough for removing any impurities.

1.step

I wet the brush under warm running water. I put in my hands a small amount of soap and rinse the brush hair properly under the water. I repeat until the water is clean, without any soap and dirt residues. Don’t be too rough when cleaning the bristles, cause you don’t want to ruin its shape. Hold the brush with the bristles pointing downwards, because the water should not enter into the metallic part of the brush (the ferrule). In that area the bristles are glued and if the water enters, there are many possibilities to damage your brush.

2.step

When washed properly, I drain well the brush, first with fingers, then I tap it gently in a towel.

3.step

Before drying, I reshape the brush with my fingers, so that it holds its shape. This is good especially for big and dense fiber brushes.

4.step

At the end, I leave them to dry naturally on the air. NEVER dry the brushes with a hair dryer or any other apparel. I lay them horizontally on a towel, on the edge of a table, so that they dry evenly in all directions. Synthetic brushes dry much quicker than brushes with natural hairs.

Cleaning you brushes regularly and correctly is easy, essential and good for your skin and for the brushes, too. They will last longer in great condition!