The One Makeup Brush Cleaning Rule You Need

Ever feel like you're just cleaning your makeup brushes all wrong? I think everyone has. One of the best tips for cleaning makeup brushes I've ever received is to treat my brushes as I would treat my skin. Think about it: You wouldn't want dirt and germs lingering all over your face, so don't let your brushes be that way either.

The important thing to remember is to keep it simple. You don't need 10,000 products to keep everything clean. Using a gentle cleanser such as baby shampoo or even dish soap can do wonders for your brushes — no fuss necessary. Think of your brushes as an investment. In order to keep them looking great, you need to keep them in their best shape. This means cleaning them regularly. When it comes to your brushes and your skin, it's always best to put in a little extra work.

An important thing to remember is that makeup brushes react differently to a variety of stimulants. Just like your skin, you need to be careful of how you cleanse your makeup brushes. A few tiny mistakes could ultimately destroy the brush itself, and you just don't need that kind of stress in your life. Here are a few tips to make sure that you effectively clean your makeup brushes every time.

1. Keep It Mild

Just like your skin, you don't need harsh chemicals to cleanse your makeup brushes. Reach for gentle cleansers instead. Kim K's personal makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic, told Into The Gloss that he prefers washing his brushes with baby shampoo mixed with tea tree oil. This is a great combination as it removes caked-on makeup from your brushes while killing off any pesky bacteria.

2. Rinse, Don't Soak

When it comes to washing your brushes, you should be holding your brush with the bristles facing downwards. Soaking your brushes can cause the glue that binds the bristles to the brush to loosen, and ultimately fall out. Uhm, no thanks.

3. Watch The Water

Is the water running clear or does it still look like the color of your makeup? If it's the latter, then keep washing. Watching the color of the water is a great indicator to see if your brush (or your face) is makeup-free or not. If you aren't sure, then rub the bristles of your brush against a paper towel. If makeup is still on the brush, it will rub off on the towel.

4. Dial Down The Heat

You wouldn't use a hairdryer on your face, so why would you use one on your brushes? Don't speed up the drying time of your makeup brushes by using a hairdryer. Just like excess water, excess heat can loosen the glue in your brushes. Instead, wash your brushes the night before you need to use them. This way they will be perfectly dry by the morning.

Now you can go clean your makeup brushes like the professional you are.

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