After using make-up brushes for a few weeks, sebum, make-up residues and bacteria begin to accumulate on the bristles. Cleaning your brushes regularly not only eliminates germs, it also prevents makeup colors from mixing. In addition, it allows you to soften the bristles. This article will not only teach you how to properly wash and dry brushes, it will also give you tips on how to care for them.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Wash Slightly Dirty Makeup Brushes
Step 1. Examine the bristles
Have you used the powder or cream makeup brush? If you used it for a cream product, it should be washed more thoroughly than a brush with which you applied a powder product. To learn how to wash rather dirty brushes, read the second section of the article.
Step 2. Let lukewarm water run over the bristles
Avoid getting it under the metal buckle on the handle, as it will ruin the glue that holds the bristles together. Keep running the water over the bristles until most of the makeup residue is gone. Make sure you turn the brush upside down and fold it diagonally under the flow of water. If water gets on the metal buckle of the handle, it will damage the bristles.
Do not use hot water, as the heat could damage the bristles
Step 3. Fill a small bowl or glass with water
You will need 60ml of warm water. Avoid the hot one, as it could damage the bristles.
Step 4. Pour some baby shampoo into the water
Measure 5 ml of baby shampoo and pour it into the glass; mix gently to dissolve it in the water.
If you don't have a baby shampoo, use liquid castile soap instead
Step 5. Dip the brush in the water and swirl it around
In the soapy solution, you should only turn the lower half of the bristles to prevent water from reaching the handle.
Step 6. Remove the brush from the solution
Dissolve makeup residue and dirt by gently massaging the soapy water onto the bristles with your fingers.
Step 7. Rinse the bristles under warm water
Continue to massage them while they are under the flow of water. Continue until the flowing water is completely transparent. Avoid getting the handle wet.
Step 8. Dab the bristles to dry them
Use a towel to gently wipe off some of the water. Wrap it around the wet bristles and gently squeeze with your fingers.
Step 9. Reshape the bristles
If after washing they are crooked, you need to recreate the original shape. Use your fingers to straighten them, unfold them and bring them back to the proper position.
Step 10. Let the brushes dry
Don't spread them out on a towel - this can cause mold to grow. Instead, place them horizontally on a table, with the bristle part hanging over the edge.
Step 11. Fluff the bristles
Once the brushes are completely dry, gently fluff the bristles. They will be ready for use again.
Method 2 of 3: Wash Very Dirty Brushes
Step 1. Examine the brush
If you've used it for cream products, soap and water won't be enough to remove makeup. You need a little oil to be able to dissolve the product, especially if you have been applying it for a while.
Step 2. Pour some oil onto a paper towel
Fold a paper towel and pour a drop of oil into it. You can use olive or sweet almond. Dip the bristles in the oil and swirl them. Don't use too much product - you shouldn't soak them. Gently move the brush from one side of the wipe to the other, letting the dirt dissolve.
Step 3. Rinse the bristles with warm water
Make sure you turn the brush upside down and arrange it diagonally under the flow of water. Avoid getting wet where the bristles meet the handle. This could cause the metal buckle to oxidize or melt the glue inside. Keep running the water between the bristles until most of the makeup residue is gone.
Do not use hot water, as the heat could damage the bristles
Step 4. Squeeze baby shampoo into your palm
If you don't have this product, you can use liquid castile soap instead.
Step 5. Swirl the brush across the palm
Dip the bristles into the cleanser on your hand. Gently move the brush in a circular fashion. The bristles should be in constant contact with the skin. You will see that the shampoo on the palm will become dirty. This happens because makeup residues come off the bristles.
Step 6. Rinse the brush with warm water
Use your fingers to gently massage the bristles as you wash off the shampoo. Again, try not to wet the part where the bristles join the handle. Keep doing this until the running water is clean.
Step 7. Dab the bristles to dry and, if necessary, recreate their original shape
Once the water runs clean, turn off the tap and gently wrap the bristles with a towel. Squeeze out any excess water using your fingers. Remove the brush from the towel and, if necessary, restore the proper shape. You can do this by gently pressing the bristles, opening the ones that have gathered on themselves and returning them to the right position. Try to recreate the original shape as much as possible.
Step 8. Spread out the brush to dry
Do not place it on a towel, as this can cause mold to grow. Instead, place the handle on a countertop or table and let the bristles hang over the edge.
Step 9. Fluff the bristles
If the brush was soft and thick, some bristles may have collected on themselves, even after drying. In this case, take it and shake it vigorously.
Method 3 of 3: Take Care of Your Brushes and Keep Them Clean
Step 1. Find out how often you need to wash your makeup brushes
Dirty ones not only promote bacterial proliferation, they can also alter the color of your makeup. Some products can also damage the bristles if they stay there too long. Here are some tips for cleaning brushes based on their bristles.
- Wash your natural bristle brushes once a week, including those used for powder products like eyeshadows and bronzers.
- Wash synthetic brushes every other day, including those used for cream and water-based products, such as lipsticks, creamy blushes, and liquid or gel eyeliners.
Step 2. While drying, do not arrange brushes vertically
The water will seep up to the handle, causing them to oxidize or mold. Also, the glue that holds the bristles together could melt.
Once the brushes are completely dry, it will be safe to store them vertically
Step 3. Do not use a hair dryer or brush straightener
The intense heat of the hair dryer or straightener will ruin the fibers, even natural ones, such as sable or camel hair. Make-up brush bristles are much more fragile than hair.
Step 4. Dry your brushes in a well-ventilated place
If you leave them to dry in a closed place, such as the bathroom, the bristles will hardly get enough air, which could cause mold to grow. As a result, they will have an unpleasant smell.
Step 5. Store your brushes carefully
Once dry, place them vertically in a glass or lay them sideways. Do not store them upside down, otherwise the bristles will deform.
Step 6. You could disinfect the brush
Before putting a brush to dry, but also between washes, sanitize it with a solution based on vinegar and water. Don't worry - the strong vinegar smell will disappear once it dries. Fill a small bowl or glass with two parts of water and one part of vinegar. Swirl the brush in the solution, but avoid wetting the parts where the bristles meet the handle. Rinse it with clean water and let it dry.
Advice
If possible, hang the brushes on a hanger to dry them. You can do this using a paperweight spring or a clothespin
Warnings
- Do not use aggressive heat sources on the bristles. Let the brushes dry gradually.
- Do not immerse the brushes in water. This will ruin the glue on the handle.
- Before using the brushes, let them dry completely, especially if you have to use powder makeup. If they are even slightly damp, they could ruin them.
