Makeup brushes are essential when applying various cosmetics. It is heavily used for products such as foundation, powder, blush-on, and eye shadow. There are a lot of ways one could clean their brushes after use. You could check out tutorials such as how to properly wash makeup brushes for more information.

Why You Should Wash Your Makeup Brushes

In every woman’s beauty kit, makeup brushes are amongst the most heavily utilized. Each time they’re used, oil, dirt, bacteria, and fungi get trapped in the bristles. These could cause breakouts and skin problems, so it is important to keep your brushes as clean as possible. Also, by taking proper care of them, you’ll be able to stretch the service life of these cosmetic equipment as long as possible. It is best to wash them after each use.

Types of Brushes and Maintenance

Moist-product brushes such as foundation brushes are more susceptible to bacteria and fungi than dry-product ones such as powder-brushes. Synthetic bristles are also easier to clean and have a longer life-span compared to natural ones, as many also come with anti-bacterial protection.

What Should Be Used for Cleaning

In general, both alcohol and soap would work. Note that this is referring to liquid and not solid soap. Soaps that are especially anti-bacterial are ideal. In fact, even shampoo works! You could also use extra virgin olive oil with the soap to help break down the makeup and soften the bristles. Vinegar would also work, although it is best to dilute it beforehand in case it’s too strong. Regardless of what cleaning agent you use and how you used it, you’ll always have to rinse thoroughly with water.

How to Clean

There are a lot of methods and materials that could be used. For example, you could simply apply a cleaning agent on the brush itself, or submerge the bristles in a mixture of agent and water. Agents such as alcohol, liquid soap, extra virgin olive oil, and vinegar work well. Avoid using alcohol for fur or animal hair brushes, as it will damage it. Regarding the olive oil, it is best if you apply it with the soap. It is important that the vinegar be properly diluted. Also, don’t worry about the smell, as it would go away once the brush is fully dry. When using any kind of liquid, always remember to keep the bristles aimed downward in order to prevent the glue, which holds the bristles together, from being loosened. After rinsing, dry the brushes by placing them flat on a smooth surface in a windy area so they properly dry. Otherwise, bacteria may settle in due to left-over moisture.

Conclusion

It is very important to take proper care of your makeup brushes. There are a plethora of methods and materials available. In fact, there are even dedicated cleaners made specifically for cleaning brushes! In addition, don’t overclean, as brushes that have been cleaned too much could end up being unable to pick up beauty products properly. Just make sure to wash it well. It is a good idea to spread out your brushes when storing, if you have a quantity of them, to avoid cross-contamination. If the brush doesn’t seem as clean as before, begins shedding, or becomes too pinched or squashed, consider buying a new one. The quality of the brush will also affect the outcome of your makeup application, so always keep in mind to take care of your brush for best results.