We’ve already revealed the most essential makeup brushes that every woman needs; now, we’re going to disclose how to keep them in tip-top shape. Neglected makeup brushes can accumulate oil, product buildup, and dead skin cells, which make them a breeding ground for bacteria (and breakouts). To ensure that your brushes stay in perfect condition, you must give them a proper wash down at least once a month. Here are three cost-efficient, DIY makeup brush cleansers.
Dish Soap and Olive Oil
Pour a little bit of dish soap into a plate and add a spoon of extra virgin olive oil, maintaining a ratio of 2:1 respectively. Grab your first brush and stir it in circular motions in the mixture. Then, wipe the brush back and forth on your hand to release the built-up makeup and place on a paper towel. Repeat this with all of your brushes, before rinsing them off under warm water in the sink. Avoid using hot water as this will ruin the bristles of your brushes. Once you finish rinsing the brushes, place them on a clean towel and let them dry overnight. The dish soap works to disinfect and kill bacteria, while the olive oil reconditions the bristles after they are stripped of oils and disinfected by the soap.
Water and Vinegar
In a small bowl, mix two parts warm water to one part vinegar. Gently stir your brushes in the mixture for thirty seconds before rinsing them off with warm water under the tap. Leave the brushes under the tap until the water runs clear. Lay them on a towel to dry. You can add a teaspoon of scented laundry detergent to the mixture to mask the strong smell of vinegar. The vinegar works as a disinfectant to eliminate the bacteria on your brushes.
Rubbing Alcohol
Pour rubbing alcohol into a plastic spray bottle. Lay your brushes down on a paper towel, and spritz them with rubbing alcohol until they are completely saturated. Rub the brushes on the paper towel in a back-and-forth motion to release all the makeup. Keep spraying and rubbing until no more discharge emerges from the brushes. Squeeze out the excess alcohol from the bristles with a clean towel and reshape the head of the brushes before laying them down on a fresh sheet to dry.
—Khaoula Ghanem
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