From your blush brush to your lip brush, fan brush and flat foundation brush, the number of brushes finding their way into our make-up bags is forever growing.
Not only does cleaning your brushes make it easier to apply product flawlessly to your face, especially if you want to apply liquid or cream foundation, but it also helps keep your skin clear.
Neglecting to clean your angled brushes or contour brushes can easily lead to the spread of acne and blemish causing bacteria. More seriously, when applying eye make-up such as eye shadow or liner to your lash line with a dirty brush, you are significantly increasing your chances of contracting a serious eye infection.
Cleaning your brushes can be a challenge. There are plenty of make-up tutorials out there showing you how to apply your make-up ‘correctly’, but when it comes to caring for your beauty tools, advice is far less readily available.
To help you get the most out of your make-up brushes, we’ve put together the ultimate guide on cleaning your brushes.
So, how often should I clean my brushes?
There are lots of opinions on how often to clean make-up brushes. Most skincare experts will recommend that you soak your make-up brushes at least once a week. This will help to stop product build-up, leaving them feeling fresher when you use them.
To keep them clean, it’s good to give your make-up brushes a thorough clean once a month, and twice a month if they’re used around your eyes. It is particularly important to use a clean eyeliner brush every time to limit the chances of infection.
By keeping your make-up brushes clean, you not only extend the life of them, but you also reduce the risk of clogged pores and spots.
What should I use to clean my make-up brushes?
When it comes to cleaning your make-up brushes, you should always use a specialist brush cleanser or a gentle soap with warm water, as this won’t damage the bristles.
There are several good make-up brush cleansers available on the market. We believe at Avon that brush cleaner should be of the best quality. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to take this into consideration when finding the right cleanser for you. Avoid any products that might have strong ingredients that you could find irritating to your skin.
How do I clean make-up brushes at home?
Follow these three simple steps to ensure clean, hygienic make-up brushes:
1. Squeeze a pea-sized amount of gentle soap into a glass of warm water.
2. Dip the brushes into the water and gently swirl them around. For a deep clean, massage the bristles to remove any leftover make-up. This is particularly important if your brushes have densely packed bristles.
3. Finish by rinsing your brushes with clean water and laying them out flat to dry.
How to clean a make-up sponge
Just like cleaning your brushes, cleaning your make-up sponge is super simple, too.
1. Fill a bowl with warm, soapy water.
2. Gently massage the make-up sponge in the water and wash out all of your old make-up. Keep massaging until the water runs clear, you may find that you need to replace the water more than once to achieve this.
3. Finish by rinsing the make-up sponge until it’s completely clean. To dry your sponge, gently blot it with a paper towel.
How to dry your make-up brushes
Drying your make-up brushes correctly is just as important as cleaning them, so here’s how to do it right:
1. Find a clean towel and a flat surface. Lay your brushes on one half of the towel and fold over the other half, gently adding pressure to release any excess water.
2. Next, unfold the towel and leave the brushes lying flat to dry out in the air. We recommend leaving them to dry overnight or while you’re out for the day.
3. Never leave your make-up brushes to dry in a cup upright. The water will trickle down to wear away the glue that’s keeping the brush together.
When to throw away old make-up brushes
No matter how well you look after your make-up brushes, there’s only so long they will last. If you are not sure what to look out for, here are some early signs you may need some new brushes:
1. Your brushes never seem to get properly clean.
2. The bristles start to fall out.
3. You notice that the brush is starting to smell.
None of the above? We’d recommend replacing your brushes every 3 to 4 months, as this will help to keep your make-up looking fresh.
From cleaning your brushes to drying them, we hope this guide has turned you into a make-up brush cleaning professional.
If you are looking to replace your old set of brushes, our collection of vegan-friendly make-up brushes prove especially popular with environmentally conscious individuals. From blending cream blush to applying eyeshadow – we’ve got you covered.