Beauty tip

Cleaning Makeup Brushes

Makeup brushes can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus, so it’s a good idea to wash your makeup brushes at least once a week. Every time you use one on your face, it picks up dirt, bacteria, oils, and dead skin cells (not to mention saliva and tears). Also, after a while, dirty brushes get stiff, the bristles separate, and your makeup streaks when you apply it. Clean brushes are softer on the skin and pick up makeup more evenly. So, keeping your brushes clean will not only help prevent nasty infections and clogged pores, but will also result in your makeup looking smoother and prettier.

There are specially-made makeup brush cleansers, but a face wash will do the trick just as well. Look for a foaming cleanser like Olay Foaming Face Wash, which helps dissolve makeup and oils. Creamy or milky cleansers may not be strong enough to remove dried foundation or caked-on makeup. Avoid bar soap, laundry detergent, or dishwashing liquid, all of which can weaken the bristles and leave residue that irritates your skin. Follow these steps to make sure your brushes last longer and your makeup looks its best:

Run your brushes under warm water to rinse off loose makeup. Do this with bristles facing down.

Apply a small amount of foaming cleanser, and work it into the bristles with your fingers. Periodically rinse and reapply cleanser as needed, until water runs clear.
Gently pat dry, reshape the bristles, and lie flat on paper towels. Do not dry brushes in an upright position since water trapped inside the base of the brush can dissolve the glue that's holding the bristles in place. When bristles start falling out, it’s time to get a replacement brush.