Do you know that your makeup brushes and sponges can collect a ton of harmful microorganisms if they aren’t cleaned regularly? According to a 2016 study, 19% of the makeup brushes used in beauty salons were contaminated with fungus or yeast while a whopping 100% of eye and skin products contained bacteria. Using dirty makeup brushes can cause acne breakouts and result in fungal infections like staph or E.Coli.
Consequently, it is essential that you wash your makeup brushes regularly to prevent the buildup of bacteria, fungus, and yeast.
How Regularly Should You Clean Your Make-Up Brushes?
Most dermatologists and make-up artists recommend washing your makeup brushes every 7-10 days. You can increase the number of washes if the brushes have visible makeup on their bristles. Brushes that are used around the eyes can build up bacteria relatively quickly so you should consider washing them every week.
Washing your brushes regularly will keep your skin clean, and healthy, and maintain the integrity of the bristles. This will allow them to apply products more effectively and extend their lifespan. Once you figure out a suitable washing routine, use the following procedure to clean up your makeup brushes;
Step 1: Wet The Brushes
If your makeup brushes have dried up make-up, you will want to get them wet first to make the makeup easy to remove. You can do this by wetting the brush with lukewarm water. Make sure only the bristles are in contact with the warm water as it can dissolve the glue anchoring the bristles in place if it gets into the base.
You want the bristles to be just a little wet, not soaking wet, so don’t soak the brush in water.
Step 2: Lather up Using a Gentle Cleansing Solution
Normal soaps can dry out your bristles, especially those made using natural hair, so make sure you choose a gentle soap. You can also choose a brush cleaner rather than soap. Brush cleaners are especially great at cleaning heavily used brushes and they can be purchased in-person or online in London. A gentle soap solution like baby shampoo or a brush cleaner will get rid of bacteria and makeup residue without leaving any irritants in the bristles.
You can use a brush cleaning pad or some kind of container to hold the cleaning solution. Dip the brush into the cleaning solution and move it around in a circular motion until there is no make-up residue on the bristles.
Step 3: Rinse
Once you have dislodged all the makeup residue clinging to the makeup brush, rinse the bristles with lukewarm water to get rid of the cleaning solution. Rinse and repeat step two as needed until the brushes are clean.
Step 4: Let them Dry
After you have completed the rinsing process and are satisfied that the brushes are clean, gently squeeze the bristles to wring out excess water. Carefully use your fingers to reshape the bristles into their original shape and gently dab them dry using a microfiber towel. Here’s where you need to be careful; lay the brushes down on a flat surface with the bristles hanging over the edge to dry.
If you leave the brushes standing upright, moisture from the bristles will collect at the base and cause the glue holding the bristles in place to degrade. Make sure the base of the brush head is always away from moisture throughout the washing process to prevent the bristles from coming loose and falling.
Makeup brushes require regular cleaning to keep them in perfect condition and to prevent yeast, fungal, and bacterial infections. Contact Regional Services today for more tips on how to clean your makeup brushes.
