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Contrary to belief, I can admit when I am wrong—and after shooting some content for IGTV with a friend Mollie, who happens to be a makeup artist, I found out that I have been cleaning my makeup brushes ALL WRONG! All these years I thought I’d been cleaning them properly, but apparently, I have been doing my brushes and my face a disservice. I’m going to share with you what I’d been doing so you don’t make the same mistakes as well as my friend’s tips for the proper way to clean your makeup brushes.
A lot of people don’t realize the importance of having clean makeup brushes. After repeatedly applying the brush to makeup and your face, oil and bacteria can collect on the bristles. Dirty makeup brushes can actually cause acne, rashes, and breakouts, so having clean makeup brushes is essential.
Use an Actual Makeup Brush Cleanser
I made the mistake of thinking that makeup brushes were just like human hair, so I used regular shampoo and conditioner to clean them. The problem with that method is, as mentioned above, makeup brushes have bacteria on them, and hair shampoos aren’t designed to be anti-microbial. Using a proper makeup brush cleaner will ensure that your brushes are clean and bacteria-free.
Use a Brush Cleaning Mat
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One thing I was actually doing right, was using a cleaning mat to remove makeup from my brushes. Brush cleaning mats have a suction cup on the back, so you can stick yours to your sink or hold it in the palm of your hand. The texture on the cleaning mat helps to remove makeup and keep your brushes clean.
Only Clean the Top of Your Brushes
This was a major mistake I was making! I used to stick my brush in the sink so that the entire head would get wet. My makeup artist friend told me that when you wet the entire brush, water can penetrate and actually loosen the adhesive that attaches the metal to the wooden handle of the brush shaft. Soaking your makeup brush essentially damages it. #LessonLearned
Clean Your Brushes Weekly
I thought I was cleaning my brushes often enough, but apparently, I was incorrect. You should be cleaning your makeup brushes at least once a week if you’re using them on a daily basis. Feel free to clean them more often, especially eye makeup brushes that you often use with different color shadows. In between weekly cleanings, rely on quick sprays to clean your brushes for immediate use.
I hope I got you thinking about the last time you actually cleaned your brushes. Now that you have tips from a pro, it’s probably time to get them out and give them a good lather.
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