How to Clean Your Make-Up Brushes

Although a number of brush cleaners are available in the cosmetic industry, tough economic times demand even a beauty junkie to be resourceful and practical. For sanitary purposes, it is advisable to clean your make-up brushes AT LEAST once a week. If you are not a make-up artist, you do not need to have an on-the-go make-up cleaners that are usually in spray form. They need them to clean their on-hand brushes from one person to another. If you own your own brushes and nobody else is sharing them, you may want to consider the following:

1. Baby Shampoo. Because baby shampoos are so mild and gentle, they are perfect for cleaning your cosmetic brushes. They are free from harmful chemicals that could deteriorate the quality of the brush strands. Wash them like how you would normally wash your hair and let them dry by laying them down on a flat surface with paper towel or wash cloth that would absorb all the water residue. Notice that the shape of the brushes' bristles will follow its form when it was wet so make sure that the ends are properly formed to its function--may it me pointed or domed on the ends. Avoid drying the brush by standing them up for it could cause the water to flow through the ferrel--which is the part that holds the bristles together. If this happens, it may cause loose binding and shedding.

2. Facial Wipes/ Baby Wipes. These have cleaning properties incorporated in them so you can just brush the bristles back and forth until the make-up residue is taken off. This is very convenient if you do not have all the time to wash and dry the brushes with water. The bristles may still be wet after this procedure but it takes a lot less time and effort-- make sure though that they are dry before using.

3. Gentle Facial Cleanser. Works like shampoo and is a great alternative if you are looking for a product that has cleaning but moisturizing properties. Make sure that you rinse it really well and choose the ones that don't have too many harsh chemicals. You want to protect your brushes the way you care for your face--because the cleaner and the gentler the brushes are, the less irritated your face would be and as a result--zero breakouts!

If you are being extra hygienic on your brushes, you might want to try this simple home remedy:


Vinegar and Water: Use 2 parts water and 1 part vinegar, dip your brushes in the mixtures and rinse clean in warm water. This will disinfect your brushes especially if multiple people use them.


Not only should you wash your brushes as often as possible because of bacteria build-up--you would notice that the brushes are just unable to perform well enough in blending the make-up on your face if there is too much product build-up on the bristles. Blend, blend, blend with clean brushes and the results would be absolutely amazing within a few strokes.