How to clean makeup brushes: 3 easy and effective methods

Are you a make-up addicted? Do you want to know how to clean make-up brushes? We help you! If you regularly use make-up brushes, you should know that sebum, make-up residues and bacteria accumulate on the bristles. It goes without saying that it is important to regularly clean your brushes for germs and bacteria. In addition, washing will also soften the bristles. Let's see 3 effective methods to sanitize your brush set, but first a "gentle makeup idea."

1 - How to clean lightly soiled make-up brushes

The first method we present to you will be super effective for personal, lightly soiled brushes. All make-up lovers have at least one set of brushes in their collection: from foundation, for blush, for eyeshadows, eyebrows and even for highlighter. All these accessories should be washed regularly after each use to avoid problems with rashes (even serious!) on the skin of the face.

  • Examine the bristles to divide brushes stained with creamy products from those that are dusty. The former will be washed more thoroughly and will need a few more minutes of rinsing, while for the latter the matter will be simpler.
  • Wet the bristles of the brush well and preferably use lukewarm water. Try to remove as much make-up residue as possible, but be careful not to let the water end up near the attachment of the metal handle: the part of the bristles could irretrievably detach. The secret is to hold the brush upside down under the jet of water.
  • At this point fill a small bowl with lukewarm water and pour a few drops of baby shampoo.
  • Dip the brush in the soap and water solution and try to swirl the bristles by resting them on the bottom of the bowl. Avoid getting the handle wet.
  • Rinse the brush under running water, dab the bristles on a dry cloth, then try to restore their natural shape.
  • Let the freshly washed brushes dry horizontally on a flat surface.

See also

DIY lip balm: 5 simple and effective recipes

Permanent hair removal: what are the most effective methods?

How to reduce wrinkles: 8 effective methods for smooth skin

© Istock

2 - How to clean very dirty makeup brushes

If the make-up brushes are very dirty and the cream products are encrusted on the bristles (this can happen with the eyeliner brush, for example), the method to use will be another. First of all, the advice we give you is to try never to reduce your make-up brushes in this state, after each use, if possible, remove the excess product with a tissue. If, on the other hand, the situation seems irreparable, follow the instructions. our advice.

  • First pour a few drops of oil on a piece of paper, you can use olive oil or sweet almond oil. Rub the bristles of the brush on the oil in a gentle but firm way, to start dissolving the residues.
  • Rinse the bristles of the brush under a jet of warm water trying to open them well with your hands.
  • Use a Marseille bar of soap and rub the already damp bristles of the brush across the surface. After a few moments, leave the bar of soap and continue massaging the brush with your hands.
  • Also in this case, after having cleaned it, dab the brush on a dry cloth, give shape to the bristles and let it dry on a horizontal shelf.

© IStock

3 - How to clean makeup brushes quickly

Then there is a third method to clean make-up brushes, and it is one of the secrets of professional makeup artists, as it allows you to have the brush immediately available and be able to use it on a new model or with a new color. What we will reveal to you is also a valid method to use when you need to switch from one color to another without having to wait for the bristles to dry for a long time. What does it consist of? There are two products to consider.

The first is a sponge that is easily found on the market, it is dry and it will be enough to rub the bristles of the brush dirty with eyeshadow or other powders, to remove all the color and be able to take another. In this case we are talking about powders, because the sponge method works only for eyeshadows, bronzers, blushes, powders and all "dusty" products in the make-up field.

Alternatively, or for brushes dirty with creamy products, there are instant cleansers to spray on the bristles and then rub on a piece of paper to remove all residues. We are talking about alcohol-based products which will therefore tend to evaporate immediately, leaving the bristles clean, dry and ready for the next use.

© IStock

No Rinse Brush Cleansing Spray - Sephora collection

A no-rinse cleaner for daily brush cleaning. How does it work?
A practical, quick-drying cleaner to be used regularly to remove impurities from brushes.

On sale on Sephora.it at € 8.90

© sephora5

Spa Brush Cleaning Mat - Sigma

The Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning is an innovative accessory with 7 patented textures to wash eye and face brushes. The mat includes suction cups on the back to ensure stable positioning on flat surfaces. Designed to fit most sinks.

You can find it on Sephora.it for € 29.50

© sephora4

Cleaning sponge for brushes - Sephora

A dry cleaner for brushes that, thanks to its sponge, allows you to remove the colored pigments of the makeup. Almost instantly eliminates all types of powders from brushes, between applications, without the need for liquid detergent. How to use?

1. Run the brush over the sponge making circular movements until all the colored pigments have been removed.
2. Run the brush over the back of your hand to check that there are no more colored pigments on the bristles.
3. The brush is ready to be used again!

Buy now on Sephora.it for € 4.90

© Sephora

Fenty Beauty - Dry Brush Cleaning sponge

A dry makeup brush cleaning sponge that quickly and easily removes powdered pigment from the bristles so you can switch from one shade to another in an instant, without the need for soap or water.

Available on Sephora.it at € 20.00

© Fenty Beauty

Tips for taking care of makeup brushes

After seeing how important it is to frequently sanitize make-up brushes, let's now see some useful tips to follow to safeguard the accessories and ensure them long life.

  • During drying, never place them vertically because excess water will stagnate in the handle, creating oxidation and inevitably ruining the brush.
  • Do not use the hair dryer to dry the bristles, especially if they are brushes with natural bristles, which being very fragile would inexorably suffer from the heat.
  • Avoid letting your brushes dry indoors, if possible place them horizontally near a window.
  • When the brushes are dry, store them in a special case taking care not to bend the bristles.

© Istock

How often do makeup brushes need to be washed?

Heavily soiled brushes promote bacterial growth and can also alter the color of makeup.If the products, especially the creamy ones, remain encrusted on the brush for too long, they could damage the bristles. Here are some steps to clean brushes based on their bristles.

  • Wash your natural bristle brushes once a week, including those used for powders like eyeshadows and bronzers.
  • Wash synthetic brushes every other day, including those used for cream and water-based products, such as lipsticks, creamy blushes, and liquid or gel eyeliners.

Tags:  Properly Marriage Parenthood