A great set of make-up brushes is essential if you want to create a flawless complexion and head-turning beauty look. Because you’re most likely using them on a day-to-day basis, knowing how to clean your make-up brushes is not only essential if you want them to last the distance, but is crucial if you want your complexion to be healthy and luminous.
Make-up brushes are notorious for harbouring bacteria. And if you forget to clean your brushes regularly you could end up subjecting your skin to unwanted breakouts, congested pores, and irritation and inflammation.
To help keep your skin glowing and healthy and to keep your brushes in tip-top condition, here are our top tips for how to clean your make-up brushes.
Bobbi Brown Conditioning Brush Cleanser ($40); Sephora Collection Daily Makeup Brush Cleaner ($17); MAC Brush Cleanser ($34); MECCA MAX Sponge & Brush Shampoo ($22); Clinique Makeup Brush Cleanser ($41)
How often should you clean your make-up brushes?
Unless you’re a make-up artist, you don’t need to clean your make-up brushes each time you use them. Instead, you should aim to give your brushes a quick clean each week and a thorough wash once a month.
If you’re borrowing someone else’s make-up brushes or lending your brushes to a friend, the make-up artist rule does apply: ensure that make-up brushes are cleaned before they are used on someone else.
How should I clean my make-up brushes?
A great spray-on make-up brush cleanser should do the trick for your once-a-week clean, provided you’re the only one using them. Look for an antibacterial spray, such as MECCA MAX Brush Refresh Mist that has been designed to get the job done quickly. Simply spritz onto your brushes and then used a tissue or cloth to remove make-up.
When it comes to your monthly clean it pays to invest in a make-up brush shampoo. Avoid using household detergents as they can destroy the bristles. Gently work your chosen cleanser through the bristles before running through warm water to rinse thoroughly.
Although it can be tempting to speed up the drying process with the likes of a hairdryer, applying heat to your brushes can damage the brushes and change the shape of brushes. Instead, find a flat surface, such as a table, and lie them flat with the bristles overhanging the edge of the surface so brushes maintain their shape as they dry.
