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Beauty and Grooming

How to Clean Makeup Brushes Like a Professional

How to Clean Makeup Brushes Like a Professional
Lily Shepherd
Fashion & Style Editor7 years ago
View Lily Shepherd's profile

However confident with cosmetics you may be, there are certain things that we can often forget about during our daily beauty regime.  One key chore that often gets overlooked is cleaning our makeup brushes; time consuming and messy, scrubbing old foundation out of bristles is never our favourite way to spend an evening…

As unappealing as it may seem at first, keeping on top of brush hygiene is a massively beneficial and important part of your weekly cosmetic routine. We reveal why it’s so crucial, and give you some tips to ensure you’ll be getting your brushes squeaky clean in not time…

 

Why Should I Clean My Makeup Brushes?

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To the naked eye, your makeup brushes probably look in a usable condition: whilst there’ll be a build-up of cosmetics, they still look relatively clean – especially if you wipe any excess of liquid product off after use. However, these brushes will touch your face on a daily basis, leading to a build-up of dirt, debris, skin cells, bacteria, old makeup and oils, all of which can irritate your skin.

An added benefit of frequent cleaning? The softness of the bristles themselves: they’ll stay supple and baby-soft for considerably longer if looked after properly. Clean brushes will help your makeup spread evenly and look better on the skin, too!

You Will Need…

  • Any brushes that need cleaning
  • A towel
  • A good quality brush cleanser
  • A sink of warm, soapy water

Clean Your Makeup Brushes Like A Pro

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Leave all brushes to soak in the water for a few minutes before using a cleanser directly on the bristles – this will loosen any ingrained or dried product, making it easier to shift.

Using a pea-sized amount of brush cleaner, work it into the wet bristles, rinsing the dirty water away as you go. The water should run clear once all the product has been removed; once properly cleaned, shape the bristles and leave to dry on an absorbent towel.

Cleaning a beauty blender? No problem. Allow the sponge to absorb water, then squeeze some cleanser directly onto the surface; using both hands, rub the sponge until the cleanser is worked all the way through and the water runs clear. Leave to dry – you’ll know it’s ready to use once the sponge has shrunk back to its smaller size.

We’d recommend washing your brushes at night, or when you won’t need them for a few hours – they need ample drying time before next use!

 

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Lily Shepherd
Fashion & Style Editor
View Lily Shepherd's profile
Collector of rose-gold homeware, scented candles and quirky photograph frames, I’m a Southern girl living in Manchester passionate about fashion, beauty and interiors. When I’m not writing about beautiful things, I can be found fashion blogging, or exploring my new Northern home.
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