Brush Maintenance Makeup brushes can harbour unwanted dirt and bacteria, but frequent gentle washing of your makeup brushes can keep them - and your face - clean and healthy. You should follow these general care and hygiene guidelines: Wash your brushes thoroughly at least every three months. If someone else uses your brushes, wash them before using them again. Use different brushes for light and dark shades of make-up. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to apply a light shade of eye shadow or blush and getting a darker smudge as a result of the last colour you used with the same brush. Use a daily cleanser or a mild washing up liquid to wash your brushes. This way, you're less likely to have an allergic reaction. There are professional brush cleaners on the market, but they can be harsh. Reshape your brushes after washing and let them dry thoroughly before reusing them. Here's how to clean the brushes: 1. Run the bristles of the makeup brush under warm running water. 2. Apply a small amount of good quality hair shampoo to bristles and work into a light lather. 3. Rinse bristles thoroughly under warm running water. You will notice that the water leaving the brush is tinted from old makeup. 4. Continue rinsing until no colour leaves the brush. 5. Allow the brush to air-dry. |