If you’re not convinced that you need to clean your makeup brushes, let me change your mind. Dirty brushes can lead to spots and breakouts because they are a breeding ground for bacteria. Think of all the oil and dead skin on your face which you cycle between your products and brushes. It’s a cross-contamination nightmare! Cleaning your brushes will also help to prolong their life, saving you money in the long run. Finally (and honestly if I haven’t convinced you already) clean brushes = smoother application of make-up.
For beauty blenders you should really be washing them after every use and for other brushes at least once a fortnight. Brushes that use wet products, like foundation brushes, are most likely to harbour more bacteria. After all, bacteria loves warm, damp conditions. For this reason, it’s a good idea to give these brushes a wipe down after use. Try and store your brushes in a cool, dry place. Since bacteria loves damp and warm conditions, the bathroom probably isn’t the best place for them!
Washing your brushes is super simple. All you need is some soap (I use a literal bar of soap) and lukewarm water. Try not to use any soap that you wouldn’t want to put on your face, like washing up liquid! I like to use a brush mat (I got mine in TKMaxx) to thoroughly clean my brushes. This way you can literally see the brushes cleaning with the bubbles getting lighter and less orange (why does it always look orange?!) and it’s also quite satisfying to watch. The actual steps are really simple.
- Wet brushes under water.
- Dip into your bowl of soapy water / swirl on a bar of soap.
- Gently rub with fingers / use a brush mat to swirl and clean.
- Rinse.
- Leave to air dry for at least 10 hours.
It is so easy, and I promise your skin will thank you for it. Just another little tip, make sure you wash them on a day when you know you won’t need them the next day because they can take a while to dry!