How To Properly Wash Makeup Brushes, How Can You Wash Cosmetic Sponges (including For Foundation), How Often You Need To Do It

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

The genius of pure beauty: my makeup brushes and sponges

Almost every girl has a set of makeup brushes and sponges in her arsenal. But not everyone knows that these items need to be washed and disinfected regularly. By applying powder or blush, you simultaneously collect fat, particles of sweat and dead epidermis from the skin. And if you have acne, then there is also bacteria. This creates a favorable environment for the reproduction of microorganisms, which, when reused, get onto the skin along with cosmetics.

Content

• 1 You paint me, artist: types of makeup brushes

  • 1.1 Types of cosmetic tools for applying makeup - gallery
  • 1.2 Brush material

• 2 Rules of daily cleaning for beauty instruments

  • 2.1 How often to wash brushes and sponges for powder, foundation and make-up

  • 2.2 How to clean tools after each use

    2.2.1 Disinfectants and their use

• 3 My brushes

  • 3.1 How to wash your brushes with shampoo
  • 3.2 How to clean brushes with olive oil
  • 3.3 Liquid or solid soap - for synthetics
  • 3.4 Professional tools

• 4 Homemade brush cleaner

  4.1 How you can prepare a spray for cleaning brushes - video

• 5 Drying the brushes correctly

• 6 Tips for handling sponges and beauty blender

  • 6.1 How to wash a beauty blender and makeup brushes - video
  • 6.2 How to properly wash flat sponges and puffs
  • 6.3 How to wash mascara brushes

You paint me, artist: types of makeup brushes

To have many or few brushes is everyone's business. There is a minimum set required for makeup, but it is your right to expand this list. There are dedicated tools for applying foundation, powder, eyeshadow, blush, lip gloss, and more.

It is best to store makeup brushes in a special case

Types of cosmetic tools for applying makeup - gallery

Apply oily foundation lushe with a brush with artificial bristles

Tool for applying lipstick or gloss is usually sold in a separate case

Synthetic beveled brush for perfect definition of brow shape

For dry eyeshadow, it is advisable to use brushes made from natural raw materials.

Concealer brush made from synthetic fibers

Blush, bronzer and powder brush with natural bristles

Brush material

Makeup tools are made from natural or synthetic fibers. For dry bulk products, brushes made of natural bristles are used, for liquid and cream - made of synthetic.

1. Natural fibers are soft and delicate, they are good for applying loose powder, blush, shadows. Liquid and cream products are well absorbed by these brushes. This makes the pile heavier and affects the quality of the make-up. It is impossible to blend foundation or concealer well with a natural brush.
2. Synthetic fibers are stiffer. This is not the best option for friable products: the sensations from such use are not very pleasant. But they perfectly blend the tonal base, they are convenient to mask minor skin imperfections with a concealer. Since the villi have a smooth structure, they are not clogged with the product.

There are no big problems with synthetic brushes, they do not absorb fats, they are easy to clean and dry quickly. Natural brushes require a special approach. Improper care can ruin them hopelessly. But regardless of the material of manufacture, the brushes must be washed and done regularly.

Daily cleaning rules for beauty instruments

Professional makeup artists wash and disinfect brushes after each client. And this is correct, because bacteria living on the skin of one person can be easily transferred with a dirty brush to the skin of another. At home, there is no such risk. If the brushes are individual, only your own bacteria can be transferred to your skin. True, they have multiplied fairly. After all, if we wash ourselves every day, the situation is different with brushes.

Take care of hygiene when using makeup tools

How often to wash brushes and sponges for powder, foundations and makeup

Care is divided into superficial cleaning, which is recommended after each use of brushes, and deep. There is no consensus on the frequency of deep cleansing. Some sources advise washing all brushes once a week or even a month. This is permissible with daily surface cleaning. One caveat: brushes for liquid and cream products, and even more so a brush for liquid eyeliner, should be washed every day. The fatty moist environment of these products is a sanatorium for bacteria. One day is enough for them to multiply in incredible quantities and cause skin irritation when used again. This is especially dangerous if the brush is intended for eyeliner.

Recommendations for the care of a cosmetic instrument:

• brushes and sponges for foundation, concealer and other liquid or cream products, as well as eyeliner and lip brush are recommended to be washed after each use;
• brushes for powder, blush should be washed once a week with daily use;
• wash applicators every three days;
• it is enough to wash the puff once a week.

How to clean tools after each use

For this purpose, make-up remover wipes and disinfectant are used. First, the brushes are cleaned of residues of cosmetics, then disinfected, if these two functions are not combined in one tool.

1. Wipe the instruments with a tissue until they are clean. You can use mycelial water for this purpose.
2. There is another interesting way - dry cleaning with any microfiber cloths. According to the manufacturer, they remove 99.9% of bacteria.
3. To free the brushes from residues of funds, it is convenient to use special ribbed rugs or mittens.
4. After cleaning, treat the brushes with a disinfectant.

A special ribbed mat will help wash the brushes

Disinfectants and their use

1. Professional quick cleaners - sprays, liquid lotions. The spray is sprayed onto the brush, the napkin is moistened with lotion. You can pour a small amount into a glass and dip the nap of the brush into it. Such means are good in that they simultaneously clean and disinfect instruments. The special formula allows brushes to dry in a few seconds.
2. A disinfectant available to everyone is sold in a pharmacy - chlorhexidine.
3. Another disinfectant found in every home is table vinegar. Mix it with water in a 1: 2 ratio and soak the brushes in the solution for a few minutes, then rinse with running water.
4. For brushes with synthetic bristles, you can use a 1: 1 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. Rinse the brushes in this composition, rinse with clean water.
5. Professionals sometimes use alcohol for this purpose. At home, it can only be used for brushes made of synthetic fibers, since such treatment will damage natural pile. Dry your brushes well after processing so that the remaining alcohol evaporates and does not cause irritation and dryness of the skin.
6. Alcohol lotions perfectly disinfect brushes. Simply spray the product onto your brush and wipe it off with a dry cloth. But don't use it all the time.

My brushes

Deep cleaning of brushes is washing them. To do this, you can use industrial or household products:

• Klinzer is a professional tool;
• hair shampoo, better for children;
• soap;
• tea tree oil;
• olive oil;
• hydrophilic oil;
• gel or other cleanser.

Hydrophilic oil - a versatile natural product for cleansing the skin of make-up - is also an excellent product for deep cleaning cosmetic brushes

How to shampoo your brushes

1. Apply a drop of shampoo to palm.
2. Rub a drop with a damp brush and beat until lather. Treat large brushes in a circular motion, small ones with strokes.

3. After that, massage the nap to remove all internal dirt and rinse well in running water, holding the nap down.

   

   A ribbed mat is convenient for washing brushes

You can use another way.

1. Pour water into a small bowl or glass, add detergent and stir. You can add a few drops of tea tree oil. This will soften the lint. In addition, the oil has antibacterial properties.

2. Dip the brushes into the resulting solution and leave to soak for 15-20 minutes.

   

   The brush is dipped in a soapy solution and kept in it for several minutes

3. Shake them in a container, removing dirt, gently massage if necessary.
4. Rinse well with clean water.

How to clean brushes with olive oil

Olive oil does not cause irritation, has healing properties, well dissolves dirt, moisturizes the skin and hair. Unlike other oils, olive oil does not form a film on the surface and is easily washed off.

1. Pour some oil into a saucer and dip the tool. Spread the oil over the pile in a circular motion on the saucer, massage so that it penetrates the fibers and softens the dirt.
2. Wash off the oil with the remains of cosmetics with shampoo, rinse well with clean water.

An alternative to this method is to add a little olive oil to the detergent. Mix the ingredients and wash with this brush composition.

Liquid or solid soap - for synthetics

1. Moisten the brushes and rub them on solid soap or take a drop of liquid.
2. Massage to distribute the product evenly over the entire pile.
3. Rinse off with running water.

This is the best way to remove dirt with concealer and foundation from synthetic fiber brushes. Soap leaves a thin film on natural fibers.

Any liquid or solid soap can be used to clean artificial bristle brushes

Professional remedies

Special products for washing cosmetic brushes are presented in different forms - lotion, aerosol, gel, shampoo. Most of them are universal, suitable for any brushes, but there are special ones for natural bristles. When buying a product, pay attention to this.

Aerosol, lotion, liquid is used for quick surface cleaning and disinfection, they were already mentioned above. Their main advantage is the minimum processing time for tools: brushes dry in just a few seconds. For deep cleaning, professional shampoo is used, as well as gel, paste or soap. With their help, brushes are washed, then rinsed with clean water and dried.

Aerosol spray is sprayed onto the brush, then it is cleaned with a paper towel

Homemade brush cleaner

You can make your own quick brush cleaner. For this you will need:

• 250 ml of distilled or melt water;
• 50 ml of alcohol;
• 1 tbsp. a spoonful of liquid dishwashing liquid;
• 1 tbsp. spoon of baby shampoo.

Operating procedure:

1. Mix the ingredients and pour the composition into a spray bottle.
2. Spray the brushes and dry thoroughly on a paper towel to remove any dirt. The brushes dry after such treatment within 5 minutes, since the product contains alcohol.
3. If you don't have a spray bottle at hand, moisten a napkin or cloth with lotion and wipe your brushes with it.

The disadvantage of such a lotion is that the detergents remain on the hands, which is harmful to the skin. In addition, alcohol does not have the best effect on natural hair. Yes, professional products also contain it, but the amount of alcohol there is strictly verified so as not to damage the brushes.

How to make a brush cleaning spray - video

Drying the brushes correctly

It is important to dry the instruments properly after washing and disinfection.

1. Squeeze clean brushes gently with the palm of your hand. Do not squeeze too hard to avoid damaging the pile. Then blot with a paper towel or a towel to remove excess moisture.
2. Brushes should not be dried near heat sources or in a draft. Don't try to speed up the process with a hairdryer. It is more correct to lay out wet tools on a napkin laid on the edge of the table. Place them so that the handles are on the table and the pile hangs loosely from the edge.

To dry, the brushes are laid out on a towel along the edge of the table.

Sponge & Beauty Treatment Tips

For those who use beauty blender sponges to apply foundation, it is important to know that this item needs to be thoroughly cleaned. Such products contain fatty components, which can only be washed off with soap or fatty compositions. And you need to do this after each use.

1. Lather on a damp sponge. It is more correct to use a product specially designed for this purpose (soap or gel), which is often sold with a sponge.

   

   You can purchase a special soap for washing sponges and brushes.

2. Carefully wrinkle the sponge, wash until foam appears. Then rinse it with water, pressing from the center outward to flush out the dirt.
3. If the sponge is heavily soiled, dip it in olive oil and mash thoroughly to soak it completely. After that, lather and mash again, then rinse with clean water. If the oil is not completely removed, repeat the wash.
4. Dry the sponges at room temperature on a paper or cloth napkin.

It is convenient to apply foundation with a sponge, but the tool must be washed after each use.

How to wash a beauty blender and makeup brushes - video

How to properly wash flat sponges and puffs

Flat puffs and puffs are made from various materials. But all of them also need to be washed.

1. Wash the sponges with water and baby shampoo.
2. Treat heavily soiled ones with olive oil or hydrophilic oil. Make-up remover is also suitable.
3. Rinse off residues with running water. For the puff, add a dash of conditioner or balm to restore its fluffiness.
4. Gently squeeze with your palms between two layers of paper or terrycloth towels, shake the puff.
5. Dry by spreading on a dry cloth.

How to wash mascara brushes

When buying mascara, we believe that this item is protected by a tube and does not need maintenance. By applying mascara to the eyelashes, we simultaneously collect bacteria from them and, together with a brush, transfer them into a tube. And if you suddenly have eye irritation, it may not be a poor-quality mascara, but a brush that was not washed in time.

The mascara brush needs to be washed periodically

How to clean mascara from a brush:

1. Remove excess mascara and dried lumps with a paper towel. To do this, gently wrap the brush with a towel, gently pinch with your fingers and rotate.
2. Place the item in a glass of hot, but not boiling water. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes. You can shake the brush in a glass to quickly release the mascara.
3. Remove from water and dry with a towel.
4. Immerse in the isopropyl alcohol container for a minute. If during this time the brush has not cleared, lower it for another minute.
5. Rinse thoroughly and dry before inserting back into the tube.
6. It is also recommended to clean the threads of the tube from the stuck mascara to close it tightly.

You can also wash the brush with shampoo. If it doesn't work the first time, repeat until it is clean. Good results are obtained by using makeup remover wipes.

Do not neglect the rules of hygiene for your assistants in the difficult task of creating beauty. After all, beautiful skin is healthy skin. And that largely depends on how clean your instruments are.