Cleaning Makeup Brushes: Extreme Closeup Photos Show The Gross Reason Why It's Important | HuffPost

Don't look at this while you're eating.

By

Parents & Style Editor at HuffPost UK

Extreme closeup photos showing the debris gathered on the bristles of makeup brushes, have given us all the motivation we need to clean our beauty tools more often.

The photos were shared by Reddit user garlicpoptart on Thursday 12 January with the caption:

“Friendly reminder to clean your brushes! Here’s some pictures I took of my brushes using my Mpow Macro Lens and iPhone 6.”

Click through the gallery below to see the reality of unwashed brushes in all their horrifying glory.

Watch the video below to learn a quick and easy way to clean your brushes.

Before You Go

How To Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Method 1: Lukewarm Water And Shampoo(01 of16)

A simple mixture of shampoo and water is great for cleaning your brushes. To see exactly how to do it, continue clicking through. (credit:Wikihow (Creative Commons))

Step 1: Run Your Brushes Under Warm Water(02 of16)

Use your tap to rinse away most of the excess dirt, makeup, and oil stuck in the bristles. Keep the bristles angled down and try not to get water under the metal clasp, as it could loosen the glue. (credit:Getty Editorial)

Step 2: Mix Gentle Shampoo And Warm Water In A Bowl(03 of16)

Mix about a teaspoon of shampoo with 1/4 cup of lukewarm water and swirl your brush tip around in it. We like using Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo -- if it's good enough for baby skin it's good for us! (credit:Johnson & Johnson )

Step 3: Rinse The Brushes Again(04 of16)

Once you've swished the brushes around, remove them from the water and massage the bristles between your fingers to loosen up the makeup and dirt. Then, run the bristles under warm water until it runs clear. (credit:Gettystock)

Step 4: Use A Cloth Or Paper Towel To Wipe Clean(05 of16)

Once you've rinsed the brushes and the water runs clear, you can use a clean dry towel or cloth to remove some of the moisture. (credit:Wikihow (Creative Commons))

Step 5: Lay Brushes Flat To Dry(06 of16)

Reshape the bristles with your hands and then lay brushes flat to dry. Make sure none of the outside bristles are bent. (credit:Shutterstock)

Method 2: A Sponge(07 of16)

A sponge and a little bit of soap make makeup brush cleaning a breeze. Juct click through to see how to use this method. (credit:Gettystock)

Step 1: Apply Shampoo/Gentle Soap To Sponge(08 of16)

Apply a dime-size amount of gentle soap/cleanser/shampoo to a clean, damp sponge. Make sure the sponge is brand new, as you don't want gross kitchen bacteria to transfer onto the bristles of your brushes. (credit:Gettystock)

Step 2: Swirl Brush Tip Over The Sponge(09 of16)

Lightly rub the brushes over the sponge in a circular motion to saturate the bristles in soap. Don't press too hard, as you don't want to damage the brushes. (credit:Wikihow (Creative Commons))

Step 3: Rinse The Brushes(10 of16)

Rinse the brushes under warm water to rinse off the soap and dirt. If you see residue after rinsing, repeat step two and three again. Once your brushes appear to be clean, lay them flat on a cloth or towel to dry. (credit:Gettstock)

Method 3: Olive Oil And Soap(11 of16)

These household ingredients are also great for cleaning and disinfecting your makeup brushes. (credit:Gettystock)

Step 1: Mix 2 Parts Dish Soap With 1 Part Extra Virgin Olive Oil(12 of16)

Popsugar suggests mixing your ingredients on a clean plate, to give yourself ample room to swish around the brushes. Don't use a paper plate, as the oil will seep through. (credit:Gettystock)

Step 2: Run Your Brushes Under Water(13 of16)

Loosen the dirt and makeup by running your brush (or brushes) under warm water. Make sure to hold the bristles down to protect the brush. (credit:Gettystock)

Step 3: Dip The Brushes In The Mixture And Coat(14 of16)

Once you coat the bristles in the oil and soap mixture, massage it in using your hands. Continue until the residue comes out clear. Then, rinse with lukewarm water until all the soap is gone. (credit:Gettystick)

Step 4: Leave The Brushes To Dry(15 of16)

Once all the dirt, grime, and makeup are washed from your brushes, lay them on a towel to dry. Pro tip: prop up the towel with a second rolled up towel, and place the handles along the higher end. This will allow the water to drain down. (credit:Shutterstock)

Method 4: Use A Brush Cleaner (The Easiest Method)(16 of16)

There are plenty of makeup brush cleaners on the market that allow for easy brush cleanup. Just spray the solution -- we like Sephora's Master Cleanse: Daily Brush Cleaner -- on a dry towel or cloth and rub the brush with it until dirt and oil are removed. (credit:Sephora)

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