We are currently running our 30-day self care challenge and if there’s one thing we have learned thus far is that self care doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as ensuring you drink a liter of water daily, listening to a short guided meditation, or even taking 20 minutes off your day to clean your makeup brushes. Cleaning your makeup brushes regularly is more than just a beauty routine; it’s a form of self care practice that goes beyond skin-deep. While it might not be the most exciting task, it is undeniably crucial for maintaining both beauty and hygiene. Neglecting to clean your makeup brushes regularly can wreak havoc on your skin.
Beyond simply collecting product residue, dirt, and oil, dirty makeup brushes are a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. This could compromise your skin in the form of breakouts and rashes. Even if you are not a Makeup Artist, keeping your brushes clean is essential and regular cleaning of your personal makeup tools is equally vital. By incorporating a consistent cleaning routine, you can ensure that your brushes remain free from harmful contaminants, extending their longevity and in turn promoting healthier skin.
How often should you clean your makeup brushes?
Cleaning your makeup brushes should be a regular part of your beauty routine. The frequency of cleaning depends on whether the brushes are for personal or professional use.
Personal brushes
For personal use, it is recommended to clean your makeup brushes at least once a week or every 7-10 days. However, brushes used with cream or liquid products, like foundation and concealer brushes, should be cleaned after every use. These products easily leave behind residue, which can harbor bacteria and compromise your skin. According to a survey carried out by the Huffington Post, only 61% of women clean their makeup brushes once a month if at all while a shocking 22% admitted to never cleaning them at all.
We get it, it’s a tedious task but the key is to find a way to make it fun. Taking the time to clean your brushes can be a meditative/mindfulness practice, It can be the perfect opportunity to focus on the present moment, creating a sense of calm and relaxation. Alternatively, you can consider listening to a podcast or doing your affirmations while cleaning them. This mini-ritual can be a form of self care that helps you destress and unwind.
Professional brushes for makeup artists
This is a no-brainer, Makeup artists who use their brushes on multiple clients need to be even more vigilant with cleaning. Ideally, professional brushes should be thoroughly cleaned after each use, or at the very least, at the end of each working day. This practice ensures the health and safety of clients and prevents cross-contamination.
Four key reasons why it’s important to regularly clean your makeup brushes
1. Avoid breakouts and skin irritation
When you don’t wash your brushes, they naturally accumulate bacteria and dirt from the environment around them, and when you apply makeup with dirty brushes, you are essentially transferring all the gunk and bacteria back onto your skin. This accumulation can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and skin irritations. Regularly cleaning your brushes helps to prevent these issues, promoting clearer and healthier skin.
2. Enhance makeup application
Blending is one of the most important steps in achieving a beautiful makeup look, when you have makeup built up on your brushes, you will not get that flawless look and application you want. Clean brushes pick up and distribute products more effectively, ensuring your makeup goes on more smoothly and evenly, resulting in a more polished look.
3. Prolong the Lifespan of Brushes
Investing in high-quality makeup brushes can be costly, and regular cleaning can significantly extend their lifespan. Removing old makeup from the bristles and cleaning off any dirt or oil buildup can keep the bristles from becoming hard, brittle, or losing their shape over time preventing the need for frequent replacements, and saving you money in the long run.
4. Avoid cross-contamination
Dirty makeup brushes can easily contaminate your other makeup products by transferring oils and bacteria. This in turn compromises the effectiveness of the product in your makeup kit.
Step-by-step guide on how to properly clean makeup brushes
Step 1: Wet the brush under lukewarm water (do not use hot or boiling water) use your fingers to separate the bristles and rinse out all of the residual makeup. Only rinse the tip, as submerging the whole brush will dissolve the glue that connects the bristles to the handle.
Step 2: Put a drop of mild shampoo or dishwashing soap onto the palm of your hand or a brush cleaning mat then gently swirl the brush in your palm or on the mat, working the soap into the bristles.
Step 3: Rinse the brush thoroughly under running water and repeat this process until the water runs clear and all the soap is gone.
Step 4: Gently squeeze out any excess water with your fingers and reshape the bristles, then lay your brushes flat on a clean paper towel and allow them to air-dry. Do not dry your brushes upright as this can lead to water seeping into the adhesive that connects the bristles to the handle causing damage. Once your brushes are completely dry, store them in a brush holder or container with the bristles facing up to maintain their shape.
Say goodbye to pesky germs by cleaning your makeup brushes regularly and making it an essential part of your beauty routine. It may seem like a chore at first but once you start doing it regularly, you may notice that you experience less skin irritation, clogged pores, and fewer acne flare-ups. Clean brushes can also be the catalyst for better makeup application.
![4 Beauty Experts [Makeup Artists] On Their Favourite Everyday Makeup Look](https://uremboluxe.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/4-Beauty-Experts-Makeup-Artists-On-Their-Favourite-Everyday-Makeup-Look-qb4bec31fxxph69rq31e33ujinacwxv81jlwea5ly0.png "4 Beauty Experts [Makeup Artists] On Their Favourite Everyday Makeup Look")
