To protect your skin and kill any harmful bacteria that lingers in your makeup brushes, it's a good idea to wash your brushes every 7 to 10 days.
We recommend replacing your makeup brushes about every 1-3 years. For upkeep, makeup brushes should be washed weekly - whether it's application brushes, blush, bronzer or eyeshadow.
If you've just purchased new makeup brushes, Kaicker recommends giving them a good shampoo from the start. “Always wash new brushes before using them for the first time," she says. "Just like cleaning your undergarments before wearing them, the same goes for brushes before touching them to your skin.”
The bathroom has a lot of bacteria that could land on the brushes' bristles if you leave them out. Then that bacteria gets transferred to your face when you put your makeup on. Brush rolls and cosmetic bags prevent that from happening because they completely cover your brushes.
“Application can take a bit longer with your fingers because you need to keep layering and blending to get what you want. If you're in a rush, and want your foundation application to be quick and polished, then I'd use a brush.” For the best of both worlds, you could use your fingers and a brush in tandem.
This is another important point - never leave your brush with the hairs down in a cup of water - not even for a few minutes. This will cause the hairs to bend and/or fray and go all wonky, and the effect is irreversible. If your brushes are precious to you, then this is a definite no-no.
Let them air dry.
Air-drying is the safest and most effective way to dry your brushes—if you use a hair dryer or other forced-air tool, it can warp them out of shape or cause them to lose their hairs much faster by loosening the glue.
When it comes to storing your makeup brushes correctly, the best way to do so is to store them upright in a container or inside a drawer. Generally, it's not a good idea to store your makeup brushes loosely in a makeup bag as it can spread bacteria and germs and cause damage to them.
What should you use to clean your makeup brushes? The best and most thorough method for cleaning your tools requires water and either a gentle soap (regular soaps and rubbing alcohol can dry out the bristles, especially if they are made of natural hair) or a brush cleanser.
The best way to do this, is to use rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and wipe round the ferrule and handle. After you've cleansed your brushes, to further disinfect and ensure they are thoroughly sterilised, you can also spray the rubbing alcohol or 70% isopropyl alcohol over the bristles.
Soap: Any soap or shampoo will technically work for deep cleaning your makeup tools, but Dial (liquid or bar) is a popular choice for synthetic brushes. “It's antibacterial and gets rid of stubborn buildup,” said makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic.
Remember, there's no “best way” to apply your foundation, as both application techniques have their perks and unique touch. Applying foundation with a brush achieves flawless coverage and a precise, even finish. When you apply foundation with fingers, you tend to get a more natural effect that mimics your skin.
For a foundation brush to deliver an airbrushed finish it needs to be fluffy, not overly dense, not too flexible, if it's very soft and too flat it will not fit that purpose.
To protect your skin and kill any harmful bacteria that lingers in your makeup brushes, it's a good idea to wash your brushes every 7 to 10 days. To clean your makeup brushes, dermatologists recommend the following tips: Rinse the tips of your brushes under lukewarm, running water to remove residual makeup.
Soak in Warm Water
While you don't want the water to be boiling (that could ruin the bristles of your brush), a good warm bath temperature will help to break up any makeup and also begins to kill bacteria. Allow your brushes to soak in the water for at least 15 minutes.
It's not a willy-nilly scrubbing of the skin; dry brushes have stiff bristles, so do it wrong and you can cause skin irritation. Ouch! Also, because the lymph flows towards the heart, brushing in the opposite direction doesn't have the same lymph-draining benefits.
We recommend washing them before bed and letting them dry overnight. Many people dry their brushes in a cup, and while that seems easy, we caution against it. This causes the water to trickle down into the ferrule, which contains the glue that holds the bristles and handle together.
Dry shampoo for your brushes? Yep, it exists. All you need to do is spritz on a few short bursts directly onto your brushes, then swirl it on a tissue or paper towel to rub off the excess product. Cinema Secrets is a cult-fave brand in the industry, and for good reason.
Sponges work best, for instance, with lightweight liquid formulas or stick foundations. Creamy, thick foundations would be better served with a brush (so you can buff out the edges for a more natural finish).
Applying foundation first creates an even base to reduce overall redness, discoloration and minor blemishes. If you apply your concealer first, you may end up wiping some off when you apply foundation or using a lot more product than necessary, which can create a heavy, cakey look.
“Start with a test on the back of your hand and look for a color that feels like you—you'll know it when you see it. Once you're down to one or two shades, try them on your whole face,” Yaitanes says.