Cleaning makeup brushes regularly is essential to maintain their performance, prevent bacterial buildup, and keep your skin healthy. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to clean makeup brushes at home:
What you'll need:
- Gentle liquid soap or baby shampoo
- Olive oil or coconut oil (optional, for deep cleaning)
- Clean towel or paper towels
- Small bowl or container
- Running water
Step-by-step process:
Rinse the bristles: Begin by holding the makeup brush under lukewarm running water with the bristles pointing downwards. Avoid wetting the part where the bristles meet the handle, as water can damage the adhesive.
Prepare the cleaning solution: In a small bowl or container, mix a few drops of gentle liquid soap or baby shampoo with warm water. Swirl the brush gently in the mixture, making sure to coat all the bristles with the cleaning solution.
Cleanse the bristles: Gently massage the bristles with your fingers, working the soap through the bristles to remove makeup residue and oils. Be careful not to use excessive force or bend the bristles.
Rinse thoroughly: Rinse the brush under running water again, still with the bristles pointing downwards, until the water runs clear and no more soap remains.
Repeat if necessary: If the brushes are particularly dirty or still have makeup residue, you may need to repeat steps 2 to 4 until the brushes are clean.
Remove excess water: After rinsing, gently squeeze the bristles from the base to the tip to remove excess water. Be careful not to pull on the bristles too hard.
Reshape the bristles: Gently reshape the bristles with your fingers to restore their original form. Make sure all the bristles are aligned correctly.
Dry the brushes: Lay the clean brushes flat on a clean towel or paper towels to air dry. Avoid standing them upright as water can seep into the handle and loosen the adhesive.
Optional deep cleaning (recommended every few weeks):
For a more thorough cleaning, you can do a deep cleaning using olive oil or coconut oil. Follow these additional steps:
In a small bowl, mix equal parts of olive oil (or coconut oil) and gentle liquid soap or baby shampoo.
Swirl the brush in the mixture, making sure the bristles are coated with the mixture.
Gently massage the bristles with your fingers to work the mixture through.
Rinse thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear.
Follow steps 6 to 8 from the main cleaning process to dry the brushes.
Makeup brushes should ideally be cleaned at least once a week, especially if you use them regularly. This routine will help keep your brushes in excellent condition and prevent any skin issues caused by dirty brushes.