If there’s one makeup lesson we’ve only recently learned it’s that washing our brushes REGULARLY ––not just once in a blue moon— is extremely important in order to avoid skin issues. We’re sure that keeping makeup brushes clean was never on the top of anyone’s beauty checklist, so when the news broke that brushes need to be cleaned at least once a week, it was a WTF moment for many. ‘Coz, let’s face it, it’s every girl’s worst nightmare to learn that their favourite trusty makeup brush could be the cause of acne, blackheads, sties and other skin infections. Since the bristles on your brush are porous, they hold on to oils, dirt, makeup residue and become a breeding ground for germ and bacteria. This nasty concoction creates a recipe for an assortment of skin problems. But while most of us have understood the importance of a clean makeup brush, when it comes to the cleansing process, not everyone gets it right.
Yes, that’s correct, there is a right and wrong way to get squeaky clean, germ-free brushes and simply running them underwater isn’t one of them. On the other hand, rigorous washing can also destroy the bristles and ruin your perfectly good makeup brush. So, what do you need to do? Keep on reading to get all the deets.
How To Clean Makeup Brushes Like A Pro
Before you turn your back on your brushes, we’ve created an easy, step by step guide to help you get rid of the nasties lurking around on the bristles and make them good as new again. These tips will leave you with clean brushes that won’t damage your skin and without the buildup of makeup residue, achieving a flawless finish will be easy peasy. Also, keep in mind that since we’re in the middle of a pandemic, you can never be too careful when it comes to disinfecting your surroundings and surfaces, including your makeup tools.
Step 1: Grab A Bowl and Soap
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If you want to get rid of all the gunk, fill a bowl with lukewarm water, add a drop of antibacterial soap to it and work up a lather. The WIPEOUT Germ Killing Facewash not only helps you get rid of the germ and bacteria on your face but on your brushes as well. Bonus: Since it’s enriched with natural antibacterial ingredients, it will get rid of and hinder the growth of bacteria without damaging the bristles. Just add a drop to the water and you’re good to go.
Step 2: Put Your Brushes Under Running Water
Before adding them to the bowl, first, put each brush under running water. Most people end the process here, which doesn’t do much good. Putting the bristles under running water only gets rid of loose gunk, leaving behind the bacteria and oils.
Step 3: Insert The Brushes Into The Bowl
Here’s where your deep cleansing process begins. Once you’ve individually placed each brush under the tap, go ahead and insert them into the bowl. Gently rub the bristles with your fingers to remove any stubborn oil, makeup residue and bacteria. To give it a good deep clean, you can also add a drop of face wash on your palm and gently swirl each bristle on it.
Step 4: Give Them A Thorough Rinse
Once you’re done with the cleansing part, it’s time to give your makeup brushes a good rinse. Hold them under running water once again for a minute or so to remove the lather. You don’t leave the shampoo lather in your hair so you shouldn’t for your brushes either. The lather could contain bacteria and other debris, so it’s best to wash it all off.
Step 5: Squeeze Them Dry
Once you’re sure they’re squeaky clean, squeeze out the water from the bristles, lay them down on the edge of a table or hang the brushes upside down and let them air dry. You can also fold the makeup brushes in a clean microfibre towel and gently press them to remove excess water. The best time to wash your brushes is at night so by the time you wake up in the morning, your brushes will be dry and clean. To prevent bacteria from settling on them use the WIPEOUT Sanitizing Spray to keep the nasties away.
Bonus Tips To Keep In Mind
– Even if you’re pressed for time, do not under any circumstances, wipe them dry with a towel or use a hair drier. Contrary to popular belief, it will ruin your brushes. While this does speed up the drying process, it can destroy the fibres or damage the shape.
– Use your fingers to gently pinch the bristles back to their original shape. You could also invest in brush shapers. Using brush shapers after every wash helps restore the shape of the bristles.
– Do not soak your brushes. Unlike your dirty dishes, you don’t need to let your brushes soak in water for hours to remove the gunk. Prolong water exposure can degrade the glue that holds the brush together and could also result in fibre shedding.
– Do not machine wash your brushes. We get that washing your makeup brushes regularly can be a bit tedious, but no matter how tired or lazy you are, avoid throwing them in the washer.
– You can incorporate these same steps when it comes to your beauty blenders or sponges. But if they are riddled with black spots or green patches, discard them IMMEDIATELY. These spots are mould which makes your sponges/blenders naturally unhygienic to use on your skin, especially your face.
– Given that we’re living in a virus-filled world, avoid sharing your makeup brushes and don’t utilize brushes at makeup counters that have been used by others.
Taking care of your makeup brushes is like taking care of your own hair. If you want to preserve them, remove accumulated grime and leave them shiny and soft, you need to wash them at least once a week.
Featured Image: Pexels
