Unless you're a makeup artist, chances are that you don't wash your makeup brushes all that often or ever. While normal, reusing the same dirty brush time and time again is not only gross but also, it's downright bad for your complexion. Unwashed makeup brushes are a hotbed of bacteria that you continually swipe away from and apply to your face day after day. Moreover, the constant buildup can wear on your bristles and significantly reduce the lifespan of your brushes. If you say no thanks to breakouts and broken brushes, you're not alone. So, what are you going to do about it?
We know you're tempted to say you'll throw your bristles in water every once in a while. Wouldn't that be nice, if a bit of water could wash away the grime? Unfortunately, soaking your brushes is not enough. To learn the right way to clean your bristles, keep reading.
How Often Should You Be Washing Your Brushes?
How often you should wash your makeup brushes really depends on how frequently you use them. If you apply makeup daily, you're going to want to wash your bristles far more frequently than someone who applies makeup once a month. But what's a good guideline for all? Six months? Once a year? Once a month? The answer is far more frequently than you would have thought. According to the Academy of Dermatology, you should be washing your makeup brushes every seven to 10 days. If you're a heavy makeup user, you should increase that frequency to after each use. If you're freaking out because, well, who has time for that, don't. We've got tricks that even the laziest of lazies can use to wash their tools with ease.
For Weekly Cleanings
If you typically go light on the makeup, there's no need to invest a brush cleaner. Rather, pour a dollop of gentle shampoo into a glass of warm water, stick your brush in and gently swirl the bristles around. To remove any build up, massage the bristles downwards, so as to avoid fraying them. Rinse with clean water, and then lay them flat to dry overnight.
For Daily Cleanings
If you like to play around with makeup, invest in a quality brush cleaner. Pour a small amount into a cup and dip your brush in after each use. Gently swirl the brush around, then remove and swirl it around again on a paper towel. This last step should remove any remaining makeup dust and dirt. Cleaning your brushes does not have to be difficult or time-consuming, and it can save you the headache and money that comes with trying to treat breakouts. If it's been months (or decades) since you last cleaned your makeup brushes, go ahead and bust them out now to give them a good cleaning. Your complexion will thank you for it.
