Beauty
How To Clean Up Makeup Brushes: The Ultimate Guide for a Clean and Long-Lasting Tools
Learn how to clean up makeup brushes with this ultimate guide! Discover easy steps, tips, and tricks to keep your brushes clean and long-lasting.
If you care about having a flawless makeup day every time you reach for your brushes, then you may want to consider how to properly clean up makeup brushes and how often you should do it.
As much as I love trying the newest tools and makeup products and testing how they wear, it’s also important to consider how to ensure that your makeup tools last you a lifetime.
I know I’m not the only person who wants to use their brushes until they fall apart.
I want to share with you some of my top secrets on giving my brushes an additional couple of years of life.
Through cleaning my brushes often, I’m able to stretch my brushes’ lifespans a bit longer, help ensure that my makeup application process remains flawless and help my skin to remain calm and blemish-free as much as possible.
I know that we all do not want to have to look at our brushes as another task that needs to be regularly performed on top of our regular chores already, which is why I have prepared a list of best quick and easy tips – that even professional makeup artists use – that are helpful in getting your brushes cleaned in a jiffy.
Don’t feel hopeless because I’m here to help. Now let’s get started!
Photo by Angela Nguyen
In This Post:
• Why It’s Essential to Clean Up Makeup Brushes
• How Often Should You Clean Your Makeup Brushes?
• What You’ll Need to Clean Up Makeup Brushes
• Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean Up Makeup Brushes
• Quick Tips for Cleaning Beauty Sponges
• Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Makeup Brushes
• Tips to Maintain Clean Makeup Brushes Longer
• Final Thoughts
Why It’s Essential to Clean Up Makeup Brushes
Photo by Angela Nguyen
Photo by Angela NguyenYou may be wondering, “How dirty can a makeup brush get?”
Well, the simple answer is that it depends on what you use with it and how often. What I mean by this is that not everyone’s makeup brushes will be equally dirty based on several factors.
However, if you do not see dirt and bacteria build-up with the naked eye, bacteria can form on a microscopic level without you noticing.
Sounds disgusting, doesn’t it?
What classifies a makeup brush as dirty goes beyond simple discoloration of the bristles. The main key points that will give it away can be smell, texture, bristle directions, makeup wear, and acne breakouts after usage.
I hate to admit it, but I have gone months without cleaning my makeup brushes before. Ever since then, I have never committed the same horrendous crime again.
I experienced all of the above side effects – and to be frank – it was not great news to find out that my makeup brushes were breaking me out while providing me with poor coverage that left my base looking splotchy.
If you experienced any of these symptoms, I would highly suggest you find out if there’s a chance that it could be related to your makeup brushes and not your food consumption, sleeping schedule, or skincare.
After realizing that I had found the root of my problems, I decided to make a change and clean my tools as often as possible. For me, my sweet spot for cleaning is often defined by every two weeks.
Ever since I converted to this schedule of cleaning, my brushes have retained their bristles longer, and I no longer get acne-related problems regarding makeup brushes.
“Okay, but do I also have to clean it as often?”
Don’t feel overwhelmed. The answer depends on how often you use brushes and with what types of products.
Let me explain a bit more in-depth in the next section.
How Often Should You Clean Your Makeup Brushes?
Photo by Angela Nguyen
Photo by Angela NguyenWhen you use your makeup brushes, be attentive to which brushes you select most often.
I notice that I gravitate towards my foundation, concealer, powder, and blush brushes the most.
This meant that I regularly would clean these brushes to prevent grime and build-up from clogging the bristles and my pores.
To feel less overwhelmed, I like to think of cleaning brushes like doing chores, as killing two birds with one stone.
What I mean by this is, when you make time to do your laundry, you can easily go and clean your brushes while you wait.
I like to think of cleaning brushes as an act of self-care. As much as a girl can love taking a long shower and then ending the night with a face mask, cleaning your makeup ensures that your makeup in the morning is as effortless as it can be as well.
Typically, it’s recommended to clean your foundation and concealer brushes once to twice a week.
From my own experience and by asking other girlfriends, these tools tend to be the ones we comfortably reach for the most.
For powder and blush brushes, I would suggest every few days, since the repetitive pattern of dipping your brush in powder can push it into the base of your brushes more easily.
For eyeshadow brushes, cleaning them every few days will keep them in the best shape.
I find that when I clean my eyeshadow brushes often, the pigment from eyeshadows washes out more easily from the bristle tips and doesn’t stain them.
“Well, what about sponges?”
Sponges are a powerful tool that also needs attention, so don’t forget about those bad boys!
I would recommend washing them after every use, especially if it’s a beauty blender. When the product touches the pores of the sponge, it can stain the sponge if left unwashed for too long.
With the understanding that sponges are the easiest tool to build bacteria, cleaning them after every use is a great way to practice hygiene and to help extend their lives for a bit longer than average.
“Well, I don’t see any major residues or discoloration on brushes and sponge.”
While that may be true, as long as you understand that you religiously use those tools – it’s best that you give them a wash regardless.
With the naked eye, it may be hard to tell the difference between a clean and unclean brush. However, you can never be too clean.
Some major hints that tell me that my brushes are in dire need of a cleanse would be:
- The smell test: If your brush starts producing any odor at all, it’s time to wash it.
- Texture change: If your brush’s bristles begin to look less uniform and you notice a difference in its texture, time to dunk it and soak it.
- Streaky application: If you attempt to do your makeup and notice streaks of pigment, then it’s time for the brush to take a shower.
“Okay, great. Do I just wash it with water, or do I need special soap too?”
There are multiple methods of cleaning brushes, but let me let you in on my delightful secrets on how to keep the washing process easy and simple in this next section!
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What You’ll Need to Clean Up Makeup Brushes
Photo by @teresamadelyne
Photo by @teresamadelyneWhen looking into what you need to renew your brushes to their glory, I would recommend starting small and simple. Cleaning your brushes doesn’t have to dig a hole in your wallet, and I’m living proof of that statement.
Here’s a list of what I believe are the best and most affordable tools and products to get if you haven’t yet.
• Gentle brush cleaner / baby shampoo
These items you can find at any drugstore for no more than a couple of dollars. I prefer baby shampoo because if it’s good for babies, then it should be gentle enough for your brushes.
• Brush cleaning mat or silicone pad
For my girls who think they do not need one, please give it a try first. I guarantee you it will be your best friend once you realize how easy it is to clean out the grime from your brushes.
• Lukewarm water
Much like how our faces prefer lukewarm water to wash away our makeup, so do our brushes.
• Towel/microfiber cloth
Once you wash your brushes, they need to be dried on a clean surface. I prefer a microfiber towel since it doesn’t hold as much moisture as a cotton towel does.
• Brush drying rack or a flat surface
The easiest thing that you will never need to purchase – any flat surface. You can also invest in a drying rack if you have the space for one.
There are also other tools that you can purchase if you want to make sure your brushes stay as clean as possible.
• Brush sanitizing spray
This spray can help to destroy any leftover bacteria on your brush once you spray it on the bristles and gently pat it with a towel.
• DIY concoction
If you have sensitive skin or want to be extremely cautious of what you use to clean your brush, I recommend making your own solution to wash your brushes. Olive oil and dish soap work well together to combat breaking down dirt in your brushes.
Related: 7 Steps for The Perfect DIY Manicure You Can Totally Do at Home
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean Up Makeup Brushes
Step 1: Wet the Bristles
Photo by Angela Nguyen
Photo by Angela NguyenI recommend using lukewarm water to avoid damaging the glue that holds the bristles. Avoid soaking the ferrule (metal part).
Step 2: Apply Cleanser
Photo by Angela Nguyen
Photo by Angela NguyenAdd a tiny amount of brush cleanser or baby shampoo to the bristles. For stubborn stains, mix in a drop of olive oil for conditioning.
Step 3: Gently Swirl the Brush
Photo by Angela Nguyen
Photo by Angela NguyenSwirl the brush bristles on your palm or a cleaning mat to lift product buildup. Focus on cleaning without tugging or damaging the bristles.
Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly
Photo by Angela Nguyen
Photo by Angela NguyenRinse the bristles under lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Ensure all soap residue is removed.
Step 5: Squeeze Out Excess Water
Photo by Angela Nguyen
Photo by Angela NguyenGently press the bristles with a clean towel to remove excess moisture. Remember not to press too hard!
Step 6: Reshape the Brushes
Photo by Angela Nguyen
Photo by Angela NguyenUse your fingers to reshape the bristles back into their original form.
Step 7: Dry Properly
Lastly, lay the brushes flat on a towel with the bristles hanging slightly off the edge of a counter. Avoid standing brushes upright while wet, as water can damage the glue in the ferrule.
“What about sponge cleaning?”
Don’t be distraught, I will be getting to my life-changing tips and tricks for cleaning in the next part!
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Quick Tips for Cleaning Beauty Sponges
Photo by Angela Nguyen
Photo by Angela NguyenWhen it comes to cleaning your beauty blenders, the easiest way to keep them clean is simply by washing them regularly. Sponges are porous and can retain bacteria easily compared to all other makeup tools.
For most people, washing your sponges right after you use them with a product is highly recommended. I also recommend wetting your sponges right before makeup use to reduce the risk of products bleeding deeply into the sponge itself.
You can use the same washing products mentioned for brushes to clean your sponges. I recommend being more gentle with your sponges when rubbing the cleanser into the sponge to prevent rips.
If you want another method for quick and effective sponge cleaning, I recommend the microwave-cleaning method.
This method involves soaking your makeup sponge in a bowl of lukewarm water with a couple of drops of cleanser or soap. Microwave the bowl with the sponge in it on high heat and take it out, and let it cool.
Once the sponge has cooled, rinse the sponge with clean water to effortlessly remove remaining dirt.
As annoying and tiring as it sounds, the only way to prevent bacteria build-up in sponges is to wash them before and after every use. Similar to how to keep your clothes clean, cleaning your clothes often will prevent them from having permanent stains.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Makeup Brushes
Photo by Angela Nguyen
Photo by Angela NguyenWhen cleaning your makeup tools, it can be easy to clean it as it is to easily make some mistakes in the cleaning process.
Let me explain.
Sponges and brushes alike can tolerate lukewarm water to slightly warm water temperatures at best.
Once the water becomes hot, it can lead to damage to the brush bristles and make the glue weaken at the root of the brushes.
You may not notice the damage at first, but after repeated usage of hot water, the bristles may start becoming dry and falling out, with little to hopeless solutions left for you to turn to.
Another common mistake is using harsh soaps and cleansers that can ruin your brush fibers. When using harsh soaps, they can destroy the shape of the bristles and their qualities.
If you want to use your brushes for a long time, I recommend being mindful of the ingredients list within your brush cleansers.
The last step of cleaning your tools is also important. Make sure to dry your brushes upright and allow them enough time to fully dry.
If you are tight on time and do not dry it fully and or upright, it can cause the bristles to become deformed. Make sure to do the most you can to keep your brushes in mint condition!
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Tips to Maintain Clean Makeup Brushes Longer
Photo by Angela Nguyen
Photo by Angela NguyenOutside of using day to day products to help maintain your brush’s longevity, there are other things you can easily use to keep them fresh.
Makeup artists’ trick for keeping a brush sanitized and ageless includes using a cleaning spray in between brush cleanses.
This helps to prevent bacteria build-up between usages.
Another method to keep the brushes clean is to store them in a disinfected and dry area. Ensuring that the area is dust-free and wiped down often helps.
You can also invest in buying makeup brush capsules to prevent dust from adhering to your brush bristles. They’re relatively inexpensive and easily accessible on Amazon and similar websites.
One of the most common ways to prevent bacteria transfer is by making sure that no one else uses your makeup brushes but you. Keep your brushes to yourself, girl!
At the end of the day, remember that it’s also okay to let go of certain brushes once you know that it has reached its time limit.
I know how devastating and how crushing it feels to part with certain brushes when I’ve gotten used to using them often, too.
The best time for me to replace a brush is when I notice that the bristles are beginning to shred, and stains are becoming permanent within the bristle tips or sponge layers.
Final Thoughts
If you have made it this far into my tips and tricks for easy clean-up makeup brushes, then you sure have lucked out by finding out all my secrets to keeping my brushes healthy and clean!
I always think of my makeup brushes as my second layer of skin – in the sense that if my brushes aren’t clean, then my skin won’t look healthy, calm, or transformative with makeup on it either.
Just like cleaning any other things that you use often, like your kitchenware, your sheets, your car, ensuring that your makeup brushes are clean is an effective pastime to add to your list of self-care and self-love list.
I always encourage everyone I know to prioritize their health and hygiene, and the only way to ensure that is to implement it into your daily habits.
Slowly incorporating brush washing helps to refresh your makeup tools and helps to prevent skin breakouts, which is a great two-in-one duo.
For me, it was surprising how easy it is to prevent build-up in your makeup tools once I started cleaning them often.
I encourage you to try these tricks if you haven’t yet, or recommend these tricks to your closest girlfriends. It’s also a great time to visually see all your brushes and declutter if need be, and inspire others to do the same thing.
From one girl to another, it never hurts to share your own secret life-changing cleaning tips if you have any in the comment section below.
Help someone else out if you tried and tested a trick!
Remember that any effort to integrate a new task into your weekly routine is better than no effort. Happy cleaning!
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