How To Deep Clean Makeup Brushes At Home
Hey girly! I know, I know the thought of having to clean your entire makeup brush collection is just absolutely daunting — BUT it has to be done.
Because the ugly truth is if your brushes are not properly cared for they will hold onto product residue, oil, bacteria, dirt, and dust - which then transfers directly onto your face when you use them (gross!).
This can compromise your complexion causing acne, breakouts and rashes, cause an infection, such as a fungal infection, E. coli, or a staph infection, which can be very serious - source
And if that’s not convincing enough to get you to want to properly care for your brushes - another issue that arises from dirty brushes is poor makeup application.
It doesn't matter how talented you are, if you are using dirty brushes your makeup application will be flawed.
So without further ado - I’m going to share with you how to clean your makeup brushes, step by step!
HOW TO CLEAN MAKEUP BRUSHES
Screenshot these six steps to give your makeup brushes the thorough clean they deserve.
Step 1: Wet the bristles
Facing downward run the bristles of your makeup brush under lukewarm water. Keeping the water away from the handle - over time if the ferrule (the metal part that holds your bristles together) is exposed to too much water it may loosen causing the bristles to fall out.
Step 2: Add the cleanser
Apply your makeup brush cleanser of choice to the palm of your hand or brush-cleansing mat.
Step 3: Swirl the bristles in the cleanser
Grab your makeup brush by the handle and swirl the bristles around the in the cleanser massaging it into your palm, brush-cleansing mat, or soap bar until you get a really good lather.
Step 4: Rinse the bristles
Facing downward (again to avoid getting the ferrule wet) place the bristles under running lukewarm water. After about 30 seconds you will want to see clear water rinsing out of your bristles. If there is still color (residue) rinsing out you can repeat the steps above until the water rinses clear.
Step 5: Remove excess water
Once the water is rinsing clear you will want to squeeze any excess water out from the bristles. There are two ways you can do this.
Holding your brush with the bristles facing downward, use your fingertips to gently squeeze out the water (be careful not to pull on the bristles while doing so)
Using a clean towel gently swiff the bristles back and forth until the towel absorbs most the water.
TIP FROM JESS: Squeeze the water out first then swift the bristles around on a paper towel to soak up any remaining excess water.
Step 6: Reshape them
Running the bristles under water can cause makeup brushes to temporarily lose their original shape, so after you have completed step 5, go ahead and use your fingertips to gently reshape the head of each brush, smoothing down any bristles that are out of place.
Step 7: Allow to air dry
Congrats, you got through the hard part!! Now your brushes need to dry.
Either hang them upside down using a drying rack like this one, or lay the handles on a towel while allowing the bristles to hang over the edge of your sink or bathroom counter.
Always avoid drying your brushes vertically in a cup with the brush heads facing upward because the water will run down into the base of the brush handle and cause the glue to loosen.
You want to give the bristles the chance to fully air dry so I recommend doing this before bed and allowing them to dry overnight.
If you want to wash them during the day - that’s okay too, just make sure you allow 6 to 12 hours for them to fully dry.
Is it better to wash makeup brushes with hot or cold water?
Neither - the best temperature for your bristles is going to be lukewarm water.
WHY: Really hot water can ruin the bristles of the brush - but you still want a “warm temp” to help breakup the makeup and help to begin to killing any bacteria.
How often should you clean a makeup brush?
Once a week: for the brushes you use to apply liquid formulas - such as foundation and concealer.
Every two weeks: for the brushes you use to apply powder products - such as eyeshadow, blush, and bronzer.
How do you clean makeup brushes between products?
For cleaning in between products I love using this cleanser - because it does not require the use of water! You simply spray the bristles and then swirl it around on a towel - all the makeup residue will come off it’s instantly ready for you to use with the next product or shade.
What are the best products to clean makeup brushes with?
There are many different products that will successfully clean your brushes. I have my personal favorites that I’ve been using for years and I linked them for you here.