The best way to get a natural, flawless makeup application is with high quality makeup brushes. Professional style brushes can be very expensive and even if you buy affordable, drugstore quality brushes, the price can add up. A blush brush here and a crease brush there can add up to hundreds of dollars. The best way to protect your investment is by taking good care of your brushes by storing them properly and washing them regularly. Here is everything you need to know about caring for makeup brushes so they will provide you a lifetime of beauty (or at least a few years worth).
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How to Store Your Makeup Brushes
When it comes to caring for your makeup brushes, perhaps the most important thing you can do to keep them looking and performing like new is by storing them properly. If you don’t store them the right way, they can grow mold, the bristles can bend out of shape or the handles can come lose. Here are some of the best ways to store your makeup brushes:
Glass Jar, Mug or Vase
One of the most convenient ways to store your makeup brushes is by placing filling a glass jar, mug or vase with decorative stones or rocks and then sticking the makeup brushes into the rocks – handle side down. This allows your brushes to breathe plus you’ll be able to easily see them and have them right in front of you when you apply your makeup.
Pretty much any type of cylinder jar, mug or vase will work for storing your brushes. Just make sure it is deep enough so your brushes don’t fall out. It can also be fun to choose a mug with an inspirational quote to give you a pick-me-up each morning while you are applying your makeup.
Basket or Flat Tray
Another option for storing your makeup brushes is by placing them flat in a tray or basket. If they are spread out in a single layer, they can still breathe and you will still be able to find the brush you are looking for easily. Short trays can be placed inside a drawer in your vanity. You can also pile the brushes on top of each other in a basket but make sure the brushes are facing the same direction. You don’t want to bend the bristles of a brush by placing the handle of another brush on top of it.
Brush Roll or Cosmetics Bag
A brush roll or a cosmetics bag is a great way to store your makeup brushes when you are traveling. A brush roll is basically a flat piece of cloth with slots. You can slip the brush handles into the slots and then roll them up together and tie it. A few things to keep in mind when you store your brushes in a roll or a cloth bag – first, do not roll up your brushes when they are wet. They won’t be able to breathe and this could cause mold. Second, do not place anything heavy on top of the brushes. You could easily break the handles of the brush or dent the bristles by storing the roll or bag under heavy items.
A word of caution:
When storing your makeup brushes, make sure they are not wet when you put them away. Always lie wet brushes flat on a towel until they are completely dry.
How Often Should You Wash Your Makeup Brushes?
There are two general guidelines you should follow when it comes to cleaning makeup brushes:
First, you should spot clean your brushes after every use. If you do not, then you risk getting bacteria onto your brushes. This is especially important if you store your brushes upright as any dust or bacteria in the air will be attracted to the makeup left on the bristles. Spot cleaning is easy and instructions are provided below.
Second, you should deep clean your brushes at least once a week if you use your brushes daily. If you don’t wear makeup that often, you can get away with once a month but I recommend every two weeks at the most.
How to Spot Clean Makeup Brushes
Spot cleaning your makeup brushes is super easy! You should clean your brushes every time you use them but deep cleaning them is only necessary once a week. In order to spot clean your brushes, you will need the following items:
- Paper towel or hand towel or wash cloth
- Quick-drying brush cleaner – Click here for a list of the best brush cleaners on the market.
The following video will show you how to spot clean makeup brushes:
How to Clean Makeup Brushes with Household Items
The most common household item used to wash makeup brushes is baby shampoo. All you need to get your brushes sparkling clean is Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, a towel and a water source. Watch the video below to see how to deep clean your brushes with baby shampoo. If you don’t have any baby shampoo on hand, scroll down for other ways to clean your makeup brushes.
How to Clean Makeup Brushes without Baby Shampoo
If you don’t have any baby shampoo, you can also use plain dish soap and olive oil to clean your brushes. Watch the video below to see how:
How to Clean Makeup Brushes with Brush Cleaner
There are a variety of brush cleaners on the market. Here are the Top 5 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners on the Market. Below you can see how to use the two most popular brush cleaners on the market: Mac Brush Cleanser and Cinema Secrets.
How to Clean Makeup Brushes with Mac Cleanser
How to Clean Makeup Brushes with Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner
How to Dry Makeup Brushes
The best way to dry makeup brushes is by hanging them up. If your brushes have holes in the handles, then you can hang them on hooks. However, most makeup brushes do not have holes. If you can’t hang your brushes to dry, then the next best way to dry your makeup brushes is by laying them flat on a towel and turning them occasionally so the bristles don’t get flat on one side. Before I lay my brushes out to dry, I always squeeze out any excess water using a paper towel.
How Long Do Makeup Brushes Take to Dry?
The time it will take a makeup brush to dry depends on a variety of factors. Larger brushes will take longer to dry than smaller brushes. Also, if you put your brushes in a drawer to dry, it will take them longer to dry because they won’t have access to fresh, dry air. In general, you should let your brushes dry for at least 10-12 hours.