Cleaning makeup brushes is a necessity. Each time you use a makeup brush, it picks up both makeup and any natural oils on your face, as well as any other products that are on your face. Then there is the dust in the air that just lands on a resting brush. Bacteria can make a home in dirty makeup brushes, so this buildup must be removed on a regular basis. Here's how to do it.
STEPS:
Sable Brushes
- Mix lukewarm water with a drop of your chosen cleanser and swish it. Swish your brush through the foamy water and then dump the water out. Keep making a new mix and swishing the brush through it until the water no longer gets discolored.
- Rinse the brush gently under softly flowing water. It is also ok to swish the brush through plain water in a separate cup.
- If the brush is thick, gently squeeze it between a folded lint-free cloth.
- Place the brush on a level surface to air dry, making sure the bristles hang freely over the edge.
Nylon Brushes
- Wet the brush and take a dollop of your chosen cleanser and gently work your cleanser into the bristles with your fingers. Do not rub up the shaft of the bristles, either go down repeatedly or gently rub from side to side
- Rinse under softly flowing water
- If the nylon brush is thick, it is ok to squeeze it between the folds of a lint-free cloth.
- Place the brush on a level surface with the bristles hanging freely over the edge.
Tips
- If you don't know what sort of brush you have, poke the brush into a small drop of water. Nylon brushes do not absorb very well, which is why they're preferred for liquid makeup. A sable brush will pick the water right up.
- If it's possible, brushes love to be hung up so bristles point to the floor.
- If you are in a hurry, makeup remover wipes can be used as a quick way to clean brushes, but the wipes will not work as well as a good washing.