How to Properly Clean Your Makeup Brushes

One of the biggest mistake that most of us make is not cleaning our makeup brushes often enough.  Most makeup brushes will last for years and the better you take care of them, the longer they will last.

Each time you use your brushes they not only have makeup residue on them, but also facial oils and anything else that's on your face.  If you don't clean them often enough bacteria can start to grow on them, and can cause infections on your face such as acne or infections in your eyes.  Dirty brushes can also transfer bacteria and facial oil to your makeup.  Facial oil will soak into powdered products and eventually they won't work well.

Makeup brushes should be cleaned once a week.  Regardless whether you are using natural or synthetic bristle brushes, the procedure is the same:

1. Each time you use your brushes, take a moment to wipe off the excess makeup when you are done.
2. Wet your brush under warm water and wash with either your facial soap or baby shampoo.  Don't use your own shampoo as it may be too harsh and could leave the bristles coated in dimethicone (which is essentially plastic) and conditioners.
3. Swirl the brushes in the palm of your hand to help release the makeup from the bristles.  You will likely see the suds on your hand change color.  Rinse and repeat until the soap stops turning colors.
4. Squeeze all the product & water out of the bristles
5. Wipe down the brushes with a towel so there's no water on them
6. Form the bristles into their proper shape with your hands
7. Lay the brushes down on the counter with the bristles hanging over the edge.  Never dry your brushes standing up as the water will run inside and eventually the glue will dissolve.  Also, it's best not to lay them on a towel as the towel may retain moisture and cause the brushes to mold or allow bacteria to grow.

Follow these tips and your brushes should last for years.