Life Hack: How to clean makeup brushes and sponges and how often should they be washed?
You Regularly? Tools Your Makeup Cleaning Are
Whether you use them every day or just once in a blue moon, if you’re not cleaning your makeup brushes correctly and regularly you could be causing quite a few problems for your skin.
Dirty brushes and sponges can harbour lots of bacteria and cause skin problems like spots and blackheads. According to Irish makeup brand Sculpted By Aimee, you should be giving your brushes a clean a lot more regularly than many of us might be doing. They say foundation and concealer brushes should be washed once a week, eye makeup brushes should be cleaned twice a week and other brushes that aren't used daily should be cleaned once a month. They also suggest washing new brushes immediately before use as some, particularly those handmade, can shed their bristles when first used and cleaning before that first use can prevent this from happening.
To deep clean your makeup brushes, fill a large bowl with warm water and a small amount of brush cleanser, though baby shampoo will also work if it is very gentle and un-perfumed.
Dip the brush into the bowl and swirl it through the water, rubbing it onto your palm to help remove makeup residue. Avoid getting the metal part under the bristles wet as that could loosen the glue that keeps the bristles in place.
Under a tap, rinse your brushes with the bristles pointing down until the water runs clear. Remove excess water from them with a towel, reshaping the brushes so they dry in their original shape. Place them on top of a towel to fully dry overnight.
If you’re washing makeup from a sponge or beauty blender, dip it into the bowl of water with brush cleaner/shampoo and give them a good squeeze. You can rub in some of the cleanser you’re using to create a lather. Rinse it under the tap until the water runs clear. Squeeze the sponge to remove excess water and leave it on a towel to dry overnight.
When a deep clean isn’t possible, you can easily refresh your brushes on the go. An antibacterial spray with isopropyl alcohol or surgical spirits in between uses will kill bacteria so you can use them again immediately. Just dilute these as a heavy concentration could cause skin irritation. Similarly, Irish company Ella and Jo have a brush cleaning product called Squeaky Brush Cleaner which will clean brushes straight away and leave a lovely scent. Spray some on the brush or onto a tissue and rub the brush into the tissue to clean it.