How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes Like a Pro
Time:2024-07-24 Click:
When was the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes? Unfortunately, not washing them often enough is a beauty mistake you're probably making. But learning how to clean makeup brushes is vital not just to the integrity of your brushes but also to your skin and general health.
"I can't stress enough how important it is to clean your makeup brushes," says Jillian Dempsey, a celebrity and editorial makeup artist who's worked with Emilia Clarke, Kristen Stewart, and Julia Roberts, among others. "They accumulate bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells, which will clog your pores and also cause breakouts. Not to mention, leaving your brushes in bad form means they're unable to perform as well as they would if cleaned and fresh."
Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, an associate clinical professor at the department of dermatology at the George Washington University Medical Center, agrees. In addition to poor brush performance and acne breakouts, Tanzi says you're also putting yourself at risk for gnarly infections. "Bacteria, including staph and E. coli, along with viruses like the cold sore virus, can live on bristles for a long time," she says. Convinced yet? Read on for the best ways to keep your makeup brushes clean and sanitary.
How Often to Clean Your Makeup Brushes
"The reality is, some people never wash their makeup brushes," says Tanzi, who recommends cleaning makeup brushes at least once a month, ideally once a week. If you use a brush to apply liquid foundation, blush, concealer, or other wet products, clean it after every use.
"Pick one night a week—mine is Sundays, a good day for doing chores before the week gets started—and take five minutes to clean your brushes," says Los Angeles-based celebrity makeup artist Jo Baker.
What You Need:
Brush Cleaner Method
Spray brush cleaner and brush cleaning mat
Warm water
Soap
Microfiber cloth (optional)
Shampoo Method
Baby shampoo or gentle shampoo, such as Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo
Makeup brush shampoo, such as EcoTools Makeup Brush Shampoo
Warm water
How to Clean Makeup Brushes With a Brush Cleaner
Step 1: Spray Brushes with Cleaner
Spritz brushes with a spray brush cleaner. This is the best option if you have sensitive skin, as it's formulated for this purpose and won't have other additives or artificial fragrances.
Alternatively, mix warm water and a bit of soap. This can be a touch of non-drying bar soap or a few drops of liquid hand soap. (Steer clear of dish soap, which can dry out the bristles.) Dampen a microfiber cloth with it and gently brush the bristles over the cloth.
Step 2: Massage Into Bristles and Rinse
Use your fingers to work the cleanser through the bristle. "I gently massage the tips of the bristles in the palm of my hand or on a silicone brush cleansing mat, and then rinse the bristles, making sure the soap and product are 100 percent out," she says.
Point your brushes downward when rinsing. Otherwise, the water will run into the ferrule—the metal band that attaches the brushes to the handle—and loosen the glue that holds the brush and bristles together.
Step 3: Squeeze Out the Remaining Moisture
Once you stop seeing pigment streaming from the bristles and the water is running clear, squeeze out the remaining moisture. "I gently squeeze out any remaining moisture with a towel," Dempsey says. "It's important to shape the brushes to their desired shape so that when they're dry, they're in their original form for better performance."
To clean makeup brushes fast, a brush cleaning mat expedites the process via patented textures that help pull the product off each brush more efficiently.
Step 4: Dry
Lay your makeup brushes flat on a clean towel or hang them upside down with a product like the JackCube Design Bamboo Brush Makeup Cosmetic Air-Drying Rack.
Never allow a wet brush to dry standing up.
If you wash your brushes in the evening, they can dry completely overnight.
How to Clean Makeup Brushes With Shampoo
You might have heard that you can use shampoo for cleaning makeup brushes. While this is true, it's important to choose the right shampoo.
Step 1: Rinse Bristles With Warm Water
At the sink, hold the brush under warm water. Keep the handle out of the stream to avoid damaging the glue that attaches the bristles to the base.
Step 2: Add Shampoo
Apply a drop or two of baby shampoo or a gentle shampoo. Rich shampoos can leave a residue on the bristles, which will weigh them down. Alternatively, use a makeup brush shampoo specifically formulated for this purpose.
Step 3: Massage Bristles
To create a lather, place the bristles in the palm of one hand, and use your fingers to work the shampoo into them.