I am going to preface this post with the following, so that you all know that I was not always like this and I am not perfect. I used to never clean my makeup brushes, and I when I say never, I really do mean never.
Now, I do wash my makeup brushes, but I would say I do not wash them as often as I probably should. Most skincare specialists recommend that you wash your makeup brushes at least once a week to prevent product and oil, dirt and bacteria build up. Dirty brushes can cause breakouts and other skin irritations. I usually end up washing mine once every three months, because it does take time to wash them and let them air dry. I do, however, make a point to always wash my brushes before starting a new powder, blush, bronzer or eyeshadow palette, so that I start fresh and don’t add bacteria to my palettes straight out of the gate.
Also, washing your makeup brushes lengthens the life of the brushes and allows for better makeup application since less makeup stays stuck on your brushes from previous application. Who doesn’t want that?
So, how do you actually clean your makeup brushes, and what should you use to clean your makeup brushes. You want to mix lukewarm to warm water with a nontoxic gentle soap, such as Dr. Bronner’s pure castile soap. All you need to do is wet your brushes with the lukewarm to warm water. Then, put a little bit of the soap in the palm of your hand and swirl the wet brush bristles in your hand. Makeup should start coming off. Rinse of the bristles after you feel like the bristles have absorbed the soap and repeat until no makeup comes off in your hand. Once clean, gently squeeze the bristles to get rid of excess water. Then, let air dry. I either like to put the brushes in a cup with the bristle side up to air dry or I let them hang off of the counter with the bristles hanging off (just be careful to not bump them). If you bump them, then the bristles are dirty again and you have to start over. You should be careful to not get the base of the brush where the bristles meet the handle wet because that may cause the bristled to separate from the handle.
Good luck, and hopefully, you start washing your brushes more often than I do.
Here’s to being a little more well preserved.
Always,
Taylor
