How should I clean my eyeliner brush after use?

Every time I use an eyeliner brush, there's residue left on the bristles of cream or liquid eyeliner. If I don't clean it promptly, the residue will stick to the bristles. This not only causes uneven application the next time I use it, resulting in clumping and bacterial growth, but can also cause redness and breakouts around the eyes. Many people ask, how can I clean my eyeliner brush without damaging the bristles?

Wipe off any residue from the surface

After using an eyeliner brush, don't soak it directly in water. First, use a clean tissue or makeup remover pad to gently wipe it along the bristles to remove any excess eyeliner product. For example, if you've dipped the brush in eyeliner, you'll see a noticeable amount of color on the tissue. Wipe until the color is gone. This will reduce the amount of detergent needed for subsequent cleaning and make it easier to clean. When wiping, be sure to follow the direction of the bristles. Avoid rubbing them back and forth, as this will tangle the bristles and cause them to fall out. This is especially true for animal-hair eyeliner brushes, as the bristles are relatively soft. Rubbing them back and forth can easily damage the cuticles.

Choose the Right Cleaner

Eyeliner brushes should use a mild cleanser. Avoid harsh detergents like laundry detergent and dishwashing liquid, as these can dry out and stiffen the bristles, and may also leave residue that irritates the skin around the eyes. If waterproof eyeliner remains on the brush, add a small amount of cleaner to allow the bristles to fully contact the cleanser. Instead of rubbing the bristles directly with your hands, gently press them with your fingertips to release the waterproofing agent.

Warm Water Rinse

After preparing the cleanser, soak the eyeliner brush with warm water. Be sure to only wet the bristles. Avoid getting water in the brush shaft and the connection between the bristles, as this will melt the glue and cause the bristles to fall out. Then, place the soaked bristles in the cleanser foam. Use your fingertips to gently rub the brush in the direction of the bristles, for example, from the base to the tip, to remove any residue. Don't be too aggressive, especially with fine-tipped eyeliner brushes, as the bristles are thinner. Excessive pressure can break the bristles. After rubbing for 1-2 minutes, rinse the brush with warm water, rinsing in the direction of the bristles until the water runs clear and no slippery residue remains.

Squeeze out excess water

After rinsing, squeeze out any excess water from the eyeliner brush. Again, squeeze in the direction of the bristles. Gently pinch the bristles with your hands and squeeze from the base to the tip. Don't wring the bristles like a towel, as this will deform them and cause them to fall out. Squeeze until the bristles are dry; avoid over-drying them to avoid damaging the cuticles. After squeezing, use a clean towel or paper towel to pat dry the bristles. Rub in the same direction as the bristles, avoiding back and forth movements. Rub until the towel is completely free of moisture.

Drying Tips

Drying your eyeliner brush is crucial. Failure to dry it properly can lead to mold and warping of the bristles. First, hang the cleaned eyeliner brush bristle-side down to dry. For example, use a makeup brush drying rack or place the brush handle against the edge of a cup, leaving the bristles suspended. This allows moisture to drip down the bristles and prevents them from accumulating at the joint between the handle and the bristles, thus preventing mold. Avoid laying your eyeliner brush flat on a table to dry, as this can deform the bristles. Also, avoid leaving it in direct sunlight, as this can cause discoloration and brittleness. It should generally dry in about 24 hours in a well-ventilated area. If the weather is humid, place it near a fan to speed up the drying process.

Combing the Bristles After Drying

After the eyeliner brush is completely dry, gently comb the bristles with your hands to even them out. After combing, you can spray a little makeup brush care liquid on the bristles to keep them soft, and then put them in the makeup brush storage box. Don't mix them with other makeup brushes to prevent the bristles from being crushed and deformed. If you don't use the Eyeliner Brush for a long time, put it in a clean plastic bag and put it in the storage box to prevent dust. The next time you use it, you can take it out and use it directly without additional cleaning.