How to Properly Care for Makeup Brushes
Queen of Cosmetics, Bobbi Brown, said it best when she said, “The right tools are just as important as the makeup itself.” This is particularly true when it comes to makeup brushes used to directly apply makeup. Women who use makeup brushes on a daily basis would likely agree that any tool directly touching your face should be as clean and sterile as possible. Not just to keep your makeup brushes from wearing out, but more importantly because of the dirty little fact that those fabulous tools can harbor live bacteria causing breakouts, skin irritations, and even infections! That’s right! After excessive use, dead skin cells, oils, and residue can build up and become the perfect incubator for bacteria. And for those of us with sensitive or acne prone skin, this can be especially problematic, not to mention, yes, good makeup brushes and applicators can be costly, so keeping them clean definitely prolongs their life cycle. Here are some tips to help you keep your favorite beauty tools in tip-top shape!
- Choose what type of cleaner to use – Makeup brush cleaner is available to purchase but you can also use a bit of mild dish soap or baby shampoo to clean your brushes.
- Run your brushes under luke warm water to saturate them, concentrating on the bristles and avioding the handle where the glue can loosen over time.
- Fill a bowl with water and soap and swirl your brushes to loosen any residue and work up a lather. Rinse the bristles under running water. Repeat the process until the water runs clear.
- Gently squeeze the bristles with a lint free cloth and lay flat to dry. Even better, hang your brushes on a drying rack, bristles facing down. Excess water that runs down the handle can cause the metal part of the handle to rust over time.
A few extra hints –
- A good way to determine when to clean your brushes is when the bristles are no longer soft and residue is visible to the naked eye. But a good rule of thumb is to clean your makeup brushes and applicators once a week.
- For super caked-on build-up, place a drop of olive oil on the brush to loosen up that excess debris.
- Makeup brushes should be cleaned after each use and once dried, stored in closed containers.
So don’t just throw away those old makeup brushes when they look like they’ve just plastered the side of a building! Regular cleaning and care will ensure you get the most bang for your buck and will help prevent collateral damage from dirty little bacteria lurking just beneath the surface. If makeup and skincare have always held a special appeal for you, check out the Cosmetology and Esthetics Programs at Continental School of Beauty. Continental is helping students across upstate New York get the training they need to become fully licensed cosmetologists and estheticians. With a variety of campus locations and flexible schedules, Continental School of Beauty may be the perfect fit for you. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a tour of a campus near you.
