DIY: Washing your Makeup Brushes!

Time and time again, I have read on various forums the importance of washing your makeup brushes regularly. Before joining the blogging world, I was also the sort of person who would run the brushes under the water to wash them, not realizing that they were not getting properly cleaned. When I read about the importance of brush cleaning, I began to clean my brushes regularly and now its almost become a weekly ritual. Sometimes, I even wash them after three - five days, depending on how much I use them.

I'm sure you've read this at various other places, but since it is relevant to the post, I will repeat (forgive me :p). Washing your makeup brushes is a must, because it not only removes the previously used pigments pr

operly, it also disposes off all the unwanted bacteria, that can build up in the brushes. And imagine you use the same brushes to apply makeup, which means the bacteria is being transferred onto your face *shudders*. This is one of the reasons why our skin breaks out and we experience those horrible pimples.

Here's a step by step on how I clean my brushes.

• What you need

1. A clean cup or a jar/container
2. Baby Shampoo (This is the mildest shampoo available locally in the market and is extremely gentle)
3. Baby Oil 
4. Clean Towel

• Steps to follow:
  
  1. Pour a generous amount of baby shampoo into your container and then add some water to it. The water should be lukewarm and not very hot. Do not fill the container with water, a little less than half is great. You do want the water to enter and melt the glue in your brushes.

2. Then take a brush and lightly mix the water and the soap. You can even do it with a spoon, but I just mix it with my brush. 

3. Add one or two brushes into your shampoo water and swirl the brushes around lightly, one by one. Do not swirl the brush around for more than 3 minutes. 

I added more brushes for the photograph, but
stick to one or two at a time.

4. Then take the brush and run it under lukewarm water to remove the shampoo and any left over pigments. Gently squeeze the bristles to get rid of excessive water. 

5. Then place the brushes in a titling position on a towel so, that they dry properly and the water does not seep into the bristle heads. Do not let the brushes dry in a closed container or in their cases as it can lead up to build up of moulds or fungus. Moreover, do not store the brushes until they dry properly.

6. Cleaning your gel eyeliner brushes require another step. Put a few drops of Baby Oil on your palm and swirl the brush in the oil. You will see the pigment automatically come off. Then either dip the brushes in the soapy water or take a bit of baby shampoo on your hand and then swirl the brush in the baby shampoo. The oil has to be removed properly so take your time with the shampoo. 

Swirling the Gel Eyeliner Brush in Baby Oil

Cleaning your brushes is not that much of a difficult task and it does not take more than fifteen minutes. In a short time you get nice, clean brushes. You'll note that after washing, the brushes feel fresher and your makeup application will be smoother. 

Moreover, it is important for your makeup application to invest in good brushes and it is a good idea to dispose them when they begin to shed. 

How many often do you wash your makeup brushes? Was this post helpful? Don't forget to leave a comment and follow my blog via the GFC Button on the right. 

Love.