If you wear makeup, you need to know how to clean makeup brushes. If you don't clean your make up brushes, you'll either wind up spoiling them and throwing them away, or they will mess up your clean, fresh look by changing the colors of your makeup. If you're not sure how to clean makeup brushes, don't worry; it's simple. The main thing is using the right type of cleaner for the kind of cosmetic brush you have. It's also most important to clean your makeup brushes frequently, so that there's very little build up on them.

Applying your make up correctly is at least as important as the quality of the makeup itself. Professional makeup artists take a lot of time smoothing, blending and brushing creams and powders into their clients' soon flawless faces. Great brushes help make perfect makeup possible.

What Materials and Hair Products are Brushes Made of?

Makeup brushes come in all sorts of materials, with the cheapest usually being made of sponge or plastic and the most expensive some sort of animal hair. High quality natural hair brushes used by professional models and painters are made of sable, and if you want a particular brush shape in an excellent quality brush, you can find them at art supply stores. Badger fur, pony hair and even squirrel hair are also used to make brushes. The best makeup, such as mineral makeup, will often come with a set of fine brushes: perfect application gives your makeup a beautiful soft finish.

--Tip ----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Importance of Properly Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes

 Properly cleaning your makeup brushes will save you time, money and even your face! You will save time because clean makeup brushes make application easier, so that loose powder goes where you want it instead of clinging to an oily brush. You won't have to makeup as often because your makeup will be fresh—not contaminated with skin oils and old, oxidized colors. You'll save money by cleaning your makeup brushes because they will last longer, so you won't have to buy new ones. And you can save your face—from breakouts associated with bacterial and oil build up on grimy old brushes. Five minutes a week, a little sudsy water, and your makeup brushes will stay fresh and new much longer

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Properly Cleaning Your Cosmetic Brushes Will Make Them Last Longer

Besides letting your brushes last longer (very important if you're going to buy more expensive, smoother brushes), if you know how to clean your make up brushes, you can minimize skin problems such as breakouts from accumulated oils or eye infections from mascara brushes. Hygiene is one reason that experts say never to share your makeup with a friend: you can transmit bacteria on the applicators. Cold sores, acne, rashes and staph germs can move easily from one makeup brush to another, so never borrow someone else's brush or powder puff. In fact, for people who apply makeup using their fingers, it's not even a good idea to wipe your fingers across someone else's blusher or eye shadow, because you're picking up bacteria from their fingers and skin.

How to Wash Your Make up Brushes Free of Bacteria

You can wash your makeup brushes in warm, soapy water, using an antibacterial soap, shampoo or a hand sanitizer. There are also special products for cleaning your makeup brushes. Lipstick brushes may need extra care because of the extra emollients in lip colors, which can make them sticky and hard to wash. Wash them with a gentle oil removing wash you may already use for your skin, and take your time, working out the lipstick from the brush bristles.

Shape brushes while wet and let them dry to preserve their smoothness. Lay them flat instead of standing them on end, or you will damage either the bristles or handle of the brush. Wash them gently, never scrubbing, or the hairs will start to come out. Follow any cleaning instructions that come with your makeup brushes in case they have special requirements. And if you can't make up your mind to commit to cleaning your brushes, you can always buy disposable sponge brushes and throw them away more frequently. Especially if you suffer from very oily skin or acne, make sure you're always using a clean makeup brush to minimize bacterial problems that may increase your skin trouble.

Dirty Makeup Brushes Carry Bacteria and Will Not Give You a Flawless Look

Whatever you do, don't use the same makeup brushes day in and day out without washing them. Aside from harboring bacteria, makeup pigments bind with the oils from your skin, making brushes sticky and dirty. Makeup colors can change, becoming darker or more orange due to oxidation and to mixing with skin oils or dust, making a mess of your daily makeup routine. Clean your brushes once a week to keep them working properly, and if a brush becomes stained or misshapen, throw it out and get a new one.