How often do you wash your makeup brushes, and what do you use to wash them?

Question

There were lots of good answers to my question, but lots of no-no's, too:
1) NEVER completely submerge your brushes in water. This will allow water to enter the ferrule (the thingy that holds the bristles inside) and weaken the glue, causing shedding.
2) NEVER store brushes to dry with the bristles upward (for same reason as #1).
3) There is no need to use anything harsh or anti-bacterial to clean your brushes. Remember, despite rinsing, anything that touches them will also indirectly touch your face! Also, these are fragile hairs - Would you use an anti-bacterial shampoo and expect your hair to remain healthy? A mild/gentle cleanser is best.
4) Please DON'T put baby powder on your brushes! Talc has been implicated in a number of health problems, and should not be anywhere near your face (though it is present in most face powders and other makeup, but that's a whole other can of worms!)
5) Brushes can be washed often- some do it nightly! (And if you have acne, often = BETTER!)

I really want to stress this "often" point. I read on the package of a Sonia Kushak brush that she washes her brushes nightly, and I've seen this instructed in makeup books. Also, you know they do it nightly in the department stores makeup counters. Seriously, girls OFTEN IS GOOD! =) (I would say, wash your brushes at minimum, every 2 weeks!) It doesn't have to be a complicated routine... simple, quick and easy! Now here's the "best answer" I picked...

Answer 1

How often you wash your brushes depends on the amount of makeup you wear and how often you wear it. You can usually tell when they need washing cos they'll start to feel a bit stiff on the skin.
I wash my brushes about once a fortnight with a mild shampoo. The trick is to make sure you RINSE THEM THOROUGHLY in lukewarm water, blot out the excess water, give them a gentle shake then leave them to dry naturally. If they are not rinsed properly, it can cause the hair to break when you apply your makeup - then you have to spend time brushing the hair off your face/clothes, etc.
If you've spent money buying good brushes, then it only make sense that you take care of them!
Hope this helps!

Answer 2

For natural hair brushes, once a month is best, use hair shampoo and rinse very thoroughly. If they are air dried let them sit, with the bristles formed into the shape you want, for about three days. When they are absolutely dry loosen the bristles up by swishing them around in some baby powder. Then just shake the excess powder off and you are set. Don't put any makeup utensils in the dishwasher or washer/dryer unless you know they won't melt or fall apart.

Answer 3

i use a foundation sponge, and i wash it with warm water and a bar of soap......but for you

The simplest and best way to care for make up brushes is to soak then in warm water for about ten minutes with a mild detergent mixed into the water.

After they are rinsed, simply remove moisture gently with a paper towel - so as not to ruin the bristles - and then put in a glass until they are dry. Only put away once the bristles are totally dry.

Answer 4

I use Bare Minerals makeup (foundation, blush, eye shadow). I wash my brushes every three months. I use the shampoo I use on my hair to wash them. You know it is gentle because you use it on your hair. Fill up the sink with warm water, add shampoo and lather. Drop brushes into the soapy water and gently massage the brush hair. Let soak in water for 5 minutes, rinse thoroughly and position in front of a fan to dry quickly!

Answer 5

i wash mine every 6 weeks or so.... i put a dollop of summers eve feminine wash in my hand with warm water and gently swish the brush around until it's sudsy and let the soap penetrate... then you thoroughly rinse with warm water, make sure the water is running totally clear when you squeeze the water out of the brush... then blot dry with a clean washcloth, shake it to poof the bristles back up and let air dry. i've had the same brushes for several years and they're still like new.... super super soft and puffy!

for those who don't wash... they get rubbed across your skin every day! think of all the dead skin, dirt, oil and other debris on there! EW!

Answer 6

About once a month should do the trick. Rinse them in water then soak them in a cup of makeup remover overnight or longer depending on how dirty they are. After that Rinse them in water and leave to dry in the sun or dry them with a blowdryer

Answer 7

I dont do it often enough - abt once every 3 months. i use my shampoo on them then i even use conditioner on them - just a tiny bit of both and rinse very well with warm water. i then shake all the water that i can get out, then put them in a short cup upright to dry overnite.

Answer 8

I think I saw something about this on GMA the other morning so I immediately washed mine cause they had NEVER, yes I said NEVER been washed. I used shampoo and it took a few days for them to retunrn to their original state but I feel better for having washed them. I was thinking about how dirty they were and it could have been causing me to breakout. Gross!!! I am going to start washing them every couple of months or so.

Answer 9

i clean them after every use bt i wash them about once every 2 months. i clean them with brush cleanser on a paper towel & i wash them with the brush cleanser diluted with water. 4 parts water & i part brush cleanser.

Answer 10

once a month in anti bac soapy water. Other products are expensive and suck