The Dos and Don’ts of Keeping Your Makeup Brushes Squeaky Clean

Wearing makeup is a fun form of artistic expression, empowerment, and confidence boosting. You get to be creative with different colours, experiment with different looks and styles, and gain personal satisfaction. And what’s more interesting about makeup is that it gives you control over your appearance and creates a sense of self-assurance.

But here’s the catch—no matter how skilled you are in contouring or drawing the perfect wing, dirty cosmetic brushes can sabotage it all. From breeding bacteria to acne flare-ups, unclean makeup brushes can silently wreak havoc on your makeup goals. That’s why knowing how to wash cosmetic brushes isn’t just a habit but essential hygiene.

Why Is Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes Necessary?

Let’s be honest, cleaning your cosmetic brushes isn’t the most exciting thing in the world. Squeezing the beauty sponges to clean the makeup residue, oil, or dirt can feel tedious, just like cleaning your cupboard. In fact, a Huffington Post survey suggests that only 61% of women clean their makeup brushes once a month, 39% clean them less than once a month, and 22% admit to never cleaning them at all!

As tedious as the process may be, clean, sparkling brushes are essential for four reasons.

Removes Product Buildup

The daily use of makeup brushes accumulates product residue, impurities, sebum, dead skin cells, and harmful bacteria like Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli. Not cleaning them regularly can cause breakouts or skin irritation.

Enhances the Makeup Look

You can buy high-end makeup brushes, but if they are full of product buildup, you won’t get the flawless look you want. Product buildup can affect the brushes’ shape and ability to blend properly. With regular cleaning, you can restore the shape of the brush head and blend products smoothly on your skin.

Extends Makeup Brushes’ Lifetime

For makeup enthusiasts, owning a good set of makeup brushes is like a chef splurging on their favourite knife set—it’s not just a tool but an integral part of their craft. Knives or makeup brush sets—taking good care of your tools will make them last longer. So, removing old makeup from bristles will protect the brushes from becoming brittle and losing shape and colour.

Avoids Cross-Contamination

A good skincare routine isn’t enough if your makeup products are contaminated. Using dirty makeup brushes with different products can transfer pathogens, bacteria, and other impurities. Timely brush cleaning can prevent cross-contamination and save your skin and products for more prolonged use. So, look through the brushes and makeup applicators regularly to improve the overall skin health and hygiene.

How To Clean Your Makeup Brushes—Dos and Don’ts

To clean your makeup brushes, follow these dermatologist-recommended dos and don’ts:

Dos

Don’ts

Wash the cosmetic brushes at least once every two weeks to prevent bacterial buildup.
Use gentle/baby shampoo/mild liquid dish soap/a mix of white vinegar and lemon to deep clean the brushes.
Swirl, massage, and rinse the brush tips using running water for precise cleaning
Repeat the process to ensure there’s no product residue
Squeeze out the excess water from the bristles using paper towels
Lay them flat on a dry towel to dry the brushes.
Ensure the brush tips hang off the edge, not upright, to prevent water from flowing down the bristles.

Submerge/soak the entire brush in water, as it will damage the glue between the bristles.
Use boiling water; it will damage the bonding between the handle and bristles and cause shedding.
Use hot hair dryers to dry the brushes.
Dry the brushes upright in a container. The water will run down the bristles and loosen the glue connecting the brush head with the handle.
Overlook the cleaning routine for your makeup brushes to maintain hygiene and skin safety.
Squeeze the bristles hard and dry them, as it will alter the shape and texture.

To conclude, cleaning your brushes from time to time is a crucial step to cleaner and healthier skin. Follow a regular cleaning routine to remove residue, prevent bacteria growth and contamination, and improve the outcome of your makeup.

See more of my beauty-related posts here

Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.

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