How to clean your make-up brushes in 7 easy steps!

Have you cleaned your make-up brushes lately? It’s very important you do this regularly as bacteria builds up in them and they can start to break down and fall apart. If you are someone who buys new make-up brushes regularly, then you could save yourself some money by keeping your brushes clean and in good working order.

Cleaning your brushes is very easy and you can do it with simple household products. All you need are the following products:

1. Baby wipes
2. Johnson’s baby shampoo
3. Conditioner
4. Olive oil
5. Paper towels
6. A towel

If you don’t want to go and buy the Johnson’s baby shampoo, you can use any shampoo you have at home. As I don’t have baby shampoo or baby wipes at home, I have substituted Nutrimetics NutriClean OLC for the shampoo and the Nutrimetics NutriClean OLC Multi-purpose Wipes instead of baby wipes and it works really well! Nutrimetics’s OLC is very gentle on the bristles of my brushes (as is the baby shampoo) and if some is left on your brushes, then it shouldn’t cause an irritation on your skin when you go to use them again.

Step 1: Run some luke-warm water into a glass. Do not use hot water as it will damage the bristles.

Step 2: Dunk the bristles of your brushes into the water. Don’t dunk the timber part of the handle into the water as if you get this part wet, it can damage the glue that holds it together.

Step 3: Wet your fingers then squeeze a small amount of the shampoo onto your fingers. Swirl your brushes in a circular motion. Don’t put too much pressure on the brushes as you can ruin the shape of your brushes. Keep swirling until the shampoo has lathered up. If the brush isn’t clean by this point, repeat Step 3 until it is clean.

Step 4: If you have a brush that is being stubborn and the make-up isn’t coming off, you can use the olive oil. This will break down the grime and deep condition your brushes. Use it in the same manner you would the shampoo. You can then wash it again with the shampoo.

Step 5: Rinse the brush until all the soap is gone. Pinch the brush to squeeze out the water then lightly rub over a paper towel in a circular motion to remove any excess water.

Step 6: If you find your brushes are a little rough, course or dry, you can use the conditioner in the same manner you would the shampoo. This should be enough to soften the bristles.

Step 7: Use the baby wipes to clean the handle part of the brush. Roll a towel half way (as per the picture) and rest your brushes facing downwards to dry. Again, this allows any water to travel down to the towel and not to glue area of the handle, causing it to become unstuck.

Repeat this process for all of your brushes.

How often should I clean my brushes?

If it is a foundation brush that is being used regularly, or any brush that is used with a liquid such as concealer or mascara, they should be cleaned once a week to every two weeks. This is because the bacteria will build up much more easily and could cause a break out on your skin. They also become clogged and dirty quicker when using a liquid. Other brushes that are used for powder products should be cleaned about once a month.

It really is a very easy and inexpensive way to look after your brushes, not to mention more hygienic and a money saver. Happy cleaning, sistas!

Nutrimetics is a direct selling company. This means you will not find these products on the shelf of a store. Instead you have to find someone with an account who will be able to order the product for you. In the interest of disclosure, I will advise readers that I do have my own Nutrimetics account. I did not receive any endorsement of any kind from Nutrimetics to write this editorial. This is purely my opinion. I am not seeking any sales from this editorial. If you wish to purchase this product, simply go to the Nutrimetics website and do a search for a consultant in your local area who will be able to help you with your purchase.