Do you wash your new makeup brushes before you use them for the first time? I must admit, when I first got into makeup at 14 years old, I didn’t… Naive young me thought, “these brushes are brand new and still in their plastic packs, so they’re bound to be clean and germ-free, right?”
Older and wiser me knows better. I cringe when I think how reckless I was with my makeup brushes and my skin. Truth is, there’s more than one reason why you want to wash your brand new makeup brushes before using them. Let me tell you why this is a good idea:
3 Reasons To Wash Makeup Brushes Before You First Use Them
1. Remove Bacteria
Here’s the deal: you have no way of knowing where your brushes have been. They may have been lying around in the factory for months, collecting dust, dirt, and who knows maybe germs too, before they were packaged and shipped to the store.
Your brushes are gonna come into contact with your skin, so you need to make sure they are clean and sterilized before you use them. If not, and there are bacteria and germs on those brushes, you’ll transfer them onto your skin – and end up with a breakout or, worse, an infection.
2. Improve Performance
Washing your brushes before you use them improves their performance in several different ways:
It eliminates loose bristles – better for them to end up down the drain than onto your freshly mad-up face, don’t you think?
It removes residue: Some brushes are coated with a residue from the manufacturing process or the packaging that can affect performance. A quick wash will get rid of that in no time.
Removes stale smell: New brushes don’t always smell nice. A good wash gets rid of the stale smell, replacing it with a fresh scent.
Removes extra dye: Washing your brushes may remove some of the extra dye the bristles are covered in, so the colour doesn’t mix that of your foundation or eyeshadow, changing it!
Who knew that a simple wash could improve the performance of your makeup brushes so much!
3. It Helps Them Last Longer
Washing your brushes also has another benefit. It softens and conditions the bristles, so they feel softer on the skin. Plus, it helps prevent bristles from shedding, so they’ll last you a lot longer. I don’t know about you, but when I buy a new makeup brush, I expect it to last me for a decade or more. And they do, if you take good care of them.
How To Wash Your Makeup Brushes
Now you know why it’s a good idea to wash your new makeup brushes before you use them for the first time, how do you do it? What do you use to wash your makeup brushes? You have two options here:
Baby shampoo: I’m a huge fan of baby shampoo to wash your makeup brushes. They’re gentler than most cleansers on the market, but still able to remove long-lasting makeup and grime. When using baby shampoo, wet your bristles first to help them pick up the cleansers more easily and then brush them onto your hand to give them a good cleanse.
Brush cleanser: This option is more expensive, but it’s great for when you don’t have a lot of time or don’t have access to water. Buy a brush cleanser from the shop and spray the solution on the brush. Then, massage it on a cloth or paper towel to remove all product residue. It’s not as deep of a cleanse, but it works when you’re pressed for time. I do this after every use and then cleanse with baby shampoo once every 10 days.
SHOP BRUSH CLEANING PRODUCTS
The Bottom Line
Next time you buy a new makeup brush, wash it with water and baby shampoo (it’s so delicate and won’t ruin the bristles). You, and your brushes, will feel better, if you do!
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
