The Importance Of Cleaning Make-Up Brushes

Why Clean My Make-Up Brush?

I was out an about the other day shopping, and I had overheard some young ladies discussing whether they should or shouldn't clean make-up brushes.  Granted, they were young teens, but it had bothered me that they had no clue of the importance of cleaning your brushes. 

We use them every day and are necessary to finish and polish off our look so we don't look like a hot mess when we leave the house.  However, many people rarely take care of their brushes.  Take a look at your brushes, and inspect them.  You may see some foundation or blush in the bristles.  Do you remember ever cleaning them? Or the last time you did?  I recommend cleaning all your brushes once a week, twice if you use a lot of foundation and if the make-up is caked on in the brush. 

Why you ask? 
Cleaning your brushes will help ensure that they will last longer, and that they will keep your  face cleaner..helping to decrease breakouts.  Well maintained brushes can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years!  Cleaning them will extend their life, which means less costly for you!  Cleaning them will also keep the bristles fresh and will help prevent them from drying out, being clumped and caked together, and from breakage.  Most importantly, regularly cleaning and disinfecting them will help prevent the growth of BACTERIA.  Bacteria is usually the main culprit of causing clogged pores and breakouts.  Cleaning also helps prevent the spread of viruses.  The Herpes virus can be spread by lip gloss brushes, and eye shadow and eyeliner brushes can spread Pink Eye and other viral infections.  Basically, any brush that comes in contact with the eye or mouth is more liable to transfer viral bacteria...and NOBODY wants that.  

How can I clean them?
You can clean them by purchasing some store-bought make-up brush cleaner.  You can find these at health stores like Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid, Target, Ulta, Sephora, and other stores that usually sell make-up and tools will most likely carry some sort of make-up brush cleaner.  They usually run anywhere from $5- $15 depending on where you go, and what size of cleaner you buy. 

You can also opt out and clean them at home.  I have used a mixture of olive oil and antibacterial soap.  I personally like this method because it is easy, and does just as good as using the store bought cleaner.  I found this great video tutorial to show this method.  http://youtu.be/tKPYexZtHCw

Another method is to use a combinatin of baking soda and baby shampoo.  The Sodium Bicarbonate will help deodorize and disinfect while the baby shampoo will help to soften the bristles.  Whatever method you choose to use, make sure that you dry them off with a clean towel and let them air dry.  If you can, dry them with a downward angle or upside down.  This will help prevent any excess liquid form seeping back into the brush handle and base of the brush.  I recommend doing the cleaning at night so it can dry overnight.