You take the time every day to put on makeup to look your best, but it’s easy to forget to clean your brushes. Taking care of your makeup brushes is important to make your appearance look even and flawless.
No matter whether you use brushes with natural or synthetic bristles, if you take proper care of them, your brushes should last for years. Experts recommend cleaning your brushes once a week to remove bacteria, oil, and makeup that can make your skin tone look undefined.
Many products are sold that can help you thoroughly clean your makeup brushes. These include liquids, sprays, and solid cleaners. You can also use old-fashioned baby shampoo, or create your own shampoo using recipes you can find online.
Whatever type of cleaning product you choose, remember that you want to remove makeup, oil, and bacteria gently. A harsh cleaner can cause your brush to dry out, especially if it is made of hair, which is more sensitive than synthetic bristles.
While some people use oil or conditioner on makeup brushes, it is important to remove it completely. Any leftover residue can attract powder, which can make your makeup appear uneven.
There are different methods that work to clean makeup brushes, but it is always important to keep the ferrula (the metal band that holds the bristles) from getting too wet, because that can break down the glue that holds the bristles in place. It is ok to get the ferrula a little wet, but don’t submerge the brush completely in water.
To wash your brush, hold it under running water with the bristles pointing down to get them wet. Then put some shampoo or cleaner in the palm of your hand, dab the brush in the cleaner, and work it through the bristles with your fingers, rubbing them together and swirling them in your palm. Then hold your brush under the water with the bristles pointing down, and squeeze and swirl the brush until the water runs clear. Blot the brush on a hand towel, and then lay it next to the sink to air dry.
If you want to clean your brushes every day, daily sprays are available. Most contain alcohol, which can dry out the bristles, so be careful not to use too much.
If you follow these simple steps to keep your brushes clean, you can have your makeup look smooth and even every day.