** UPDATE: **
A pin is going around on Pinterest that says to soak your brushes for 20 minutes in vinegar. I do NOT suggest this. Unfortunately someone pinned this with the wrong information that came from a readers comment on this post. This could potentially damage your brushes. You do not want to use anything besides shampoo that is formulated for makeup brushes. I hope none of you have been misinformed. Please read and follow my method below. This is the best and safest route to clean those brushes of yours! The best of luck and happy cleaning!
Cleaning your makeup brushes is one of the most crucial, yet overlooked, tasks that should be done regularly. Cleaning your brushes is important for multiple reasons. First of all, brushes are an investment. It has taken me years to build up my brush collection and we all know they aren’t cheap. Quality makeup brushes can range in price from $5 to above $50. It’s important to take care of them because they should last you years, maybe even a lifetime if you take care of them properly. Another important reason your brushes need cleaned regularly is because they collect bacteria. If you’re prone to acne this is especially true. If you don’t clean your brushes you are only continuing to spread bad bacteria that can cause breakouts. And finally, if you’re not cleaning your brushes you will not get the optimum results from them. A brush packed full of makeup isn’t going to do the job it was designed to do. Here are the steps to take when cleaning your brushes.
1. Find a makeup brush shampoo. I’m currently using Well-Cared For Brush Conditioning Shampoo by Bare Escentuals. I absolutely love this product because it conditions your bristles and is free of skin-irritants. It also removes every last bit of makeup from your brush. For a budget-friendly option, use a mild baby shampoo such as Johnson’s Baby Shampoo. Next, add a quarter size amount of your shampoo to a cup of lukewarm water and swirl your brush around in the water for a few seconds. Be careful not to submerge the metal part (ferrule) of your brush into the water, which can loosen the glue of the brush.
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2. Rinse out your brushes with lukewarm water, squeeze out the excess water, and make sure they are smoothed out into their original form. Lay your brushes on a towel flat to dry overnight.
For some brushes, such as lip and eyeliner brushes, I will also clean them with alcohol and then shampoo them for extra cleanliness. Some people would tell you not to do this, but I like to make sure my brushes are extra clean. If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to shampoo your brushes, another great product to use is Quick Change also by Bare Escentuals. This is a very quick-drying cleansing spray that removes the pigment out of your brushes and sanitizes them. It leaves your brushes smelling great too! If you’re a makeup artist, it’s a great product to use in between clients.
Makeup brushes that are used for personal use should be cleaned every 2 to 4 weeks. Make sure to follow these steps and you’re on your way to clean, better performing brushes that will give you optimum application results. You might even see a difference in your skin too!
Do you clean your makeup brushes regularly?
