Caring for Makeup Brushes

Quality makeup brushes can make or break a makeup application. And after investing in proper tools, it’s also important to consider the proper care of makeup brushes.

In a perfect world, we would wash our makeup brushes daily. But with busy lifestyles, a lot of us forget to add brush cleaning to our to-do list.

Here are some facts that might inspire you to keep your brushes sparkling clean:

Makeup builds up in brushes, which can weigh down the bristles and cause them to break.
Regular washing allows for smoother bristles, which gives a smoother makeup application to achieve the best look possible.
Cleaner brushes could be your missing link to clearer skin. Dirty brushes accumulate bacteria, which can redistribute onto the skin and back into your makeup, potentially causing a cycle of breakouts and irritation.

To extend the life of your brushes, deep clean at least once per week and spot clean in between each use, especially if you wear makeup daily.

Spot Cleansing

Spot Cleansing is most beneficial for busy makeup artists and those who wear makeup daily. This type of cleansing is done between each use, ensures proper hygiene, and prevents the spread of bacteria.

Use an alcohol-based spray brush cleaner; spritz cleanser on a paper or cotton towel.
Gently stroke or swirl each brush head against the paper towel to remove any makeup residue.
Fold towel and re-spritz with alcohol as needed to continue working on a clean towel surface.
Lay brushes flat to dry, then place back in a brush holder.

Pro Tip! Brushes stored in makeup bags can end up with bent bristles and can accumulate more residue and bacteria. Invest in a proper brush roll or store up-right in a brush pot.

Deep Cleansing

Deep Cleaning your brushes is all about extending the quality and life span of your brushes, while at the same time minimizing potential irritations to your skin. This method of cleansing should include not only removing makeup buildup but sanitizing and reshaping the brushes at the same time.

Apply a few drops of gentle shampoo to the dampened palm of your hand.
Gently rub the brush bristles into the shampoo and create a lather in the palm of your hand.
Holding the brush ‘bristle end down’, place the brush and your palm under running water, rubbing gently to work any makeup free. Rinse until the water runs clean. Make sure to avoid getting too much water where the bristles connect to the handle (the ferrule) since this can degrade the glue over time.
Press excess water on a towel and reshape the bristles if necessary.
Lay brushes flat to dry on a clean towel. Consider folding one end of the towel slightly higher so that the brushes can lay gently angled bristles-down to drain any water away from the handle.

(Pro tip: choose a brush shampoo with naturally antibacterial ingredients such as tea tree oil or grapefruit oil!)

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Caring for Makeup Brushes