How to wash cosmetic brushes and sponges

If you use cosmetics, you will definitely face the question of cleaning your brushes. Whether you are a makeup lover or a professional makeup artist, it is important for everyone to know how to clean cosmetic accessories. How often do you need to wash makeup brushes, what products are suitable for this and why cleaning is needed at all — let’s figure it out.

Why clean your brushes and sponges?

The main reason for cleaning brushes and sponges is said to be hygiene. Some scientists believe that the use of dirty tools is not capable of causing inflammation on the skin, since the viruses and bacteria “responsible” for the appearance of redness do not survive on the bristles of the brush. However, most experts are sure that the cleanliness of brushes is a guarantee of skin health and a guarantee not to transfer sebum and microflora from one person to another. It is very important for makeup artists working with different people to keep the tool clean, but this also applies to those who paint themselves. Wet tonal base, stagnating inside the sponge or brush pile, becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. In addition, a pile with an excess amount of cosmetics ceases to evenly apply a dry or creamy texture to the skin.

How often should instruments be cleaned?

The more often you use brushes, the more often they need to be washed. If you paint only yourself, then brushes for dry textures can be bathed as they get dirty — once a month is optimal, for creamy textures — once a week, and sponges need to be cleaned after each use. Makeup artists should wash their tools at least once a week, depending on how often the brushes are used. Some experts wash their tools after each use — excellent from a hygiene point of view, but it should be remembered that frequent washing threatens natural pile with early failure.

How and with what to wash brushes and sponges.

Home remedies — hand soap and hair shampoo — will not be able to provide complete hair care, so if you often clean and want the tool to serve you for a long time, you should purchase professional products — for example, soap. Unlike hand soap, it does not dry out or break hair, and it can be used to wash natural hair.

My makeup brushes and sponges:

• The water should be a comfortable temperature, but not too hot, otherwise the glue that holds the hairs and shaft in place will melt. Wet the brush under the faucet, holding it diagonally so that water does not get on the glue, or dip the pile in a shallow bowl of water.
• Lather the hair in a circular motion and rinse thoroughly under running water. For greater effect, use a mini glove: its ribbed texture will quickly clean any shape and size of brushes. Pay special attention to the tone brush: a certain amount of cosmetics always lingers inside it, rinse it especially carefully.
• Wring out the washed brush with your fingers and place it on a napkin or towel. Fluffy and large brushes are best dried in a drying net that prevents loss of shape.
• Leave the brushes to dry for five to six hours and they will be ready to go. Do not dry your brushes on a towel or dry them with a hair dryer — they may deteriorate.

To wash the sponge, lather it up and squeeze it under running water until it stops foaming. Do not make sudden movements: this can damage its texture and even tear it.

QUICK CLEANING AND DISINFECTION OF BRUSHES

What to do in situations when there is no time or energy to wash brushes? This is where cleaning products come in handy. They will not replace a full wash, but they will help keep the brushes clean until the bath day. The fastest and most convenient way to clean the tool is to use napkins. They quickly wash off even waterproof textures and disinfect the pile. One napkin is enough for a dozen brushes at once, and the pile remains dry after them. The mini-format will save space in the make-up artist’s case or help out on vacation. Express cleaners work right in the make-up process. They are applied to a paper towel and cleaned with a circular motion brush. The pile almost immediately becomes dry and, most importantly, disinfected. Finally, a way to quickly clean the brush from dry texture is a special sponge. With its pronounced relief, it removes applied cosmetics, such as powder or eye shadow, while the pile remains dry and ready to go. Cleaning and washing brushes and sponges is an important thing in the life of any makeup artist and cosmetics user. We hope that we were able to show you how to make this process quick, efficient and enjoyable.