How to Clean Makeup Brushes to Enhance Your Beauty Routine

Keeping makeup brushes clean is essential for maintaining healthy skin. Experts emphasize that dirty brushes collect bacteria, oil, and dead skin, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts.

Neglecting proper cleaning can also affect how well brushes work, making them less effective for makeup application. Regular cleaning ensures brushes stay fresh and function optimally.

Medical professionals warn that unclean brushes can pose serious health risks. Harmful bacteria like staph and E. coli, along with viruses such as those causing cold sores, can survive on brush bristles for extended periods.

This increases the chance of infections and skin irritation. Proper hygiene for makeup tools is a simple step to avoid these potential problems.

• Spray brush cleaner 
• Brush cleaning mat
• Warm water
• Soap
• Microfiber cloth (optional)

1. Spray Brushes with Cleaner

Once you are all set, spray your brush with your favourite cleaner. Just drench it all in and let it soak the liquid for a few minutes.

2. Massage Into Bristles and Rinse

Then, massage the bristles slowly and rub it on the silicone to get all the leftover products. As you are satisfied with the process, rinse it thoroughly with clean water.

3. Squeeze Out the Remaining Moisture

Make sure you rinse well and then squeeze out the remaining moisture from the brush. However, you have to have a firm hand but also be cautious not to break off the bristles simultaneously.

4. Dry

Lastly, let your brush air dry for a few hours and you are good to go.

Things you need

• Baby shampoo or makeup brush shampoo
• Warm water
• Conditioner
• Silicone mat

How to Wash Makeup Brushes Using Your Shampoo?

Here is the step by step process of cleaning makeup brushes using a shampoo-

Step 1: Rinse Bristles With Warm Water

Step 2: Add Shampoo

Step 3: Massage Bristles

Step 4: Rinse and Condition

After rinsing the shampoo meticulously by rubbing it on the silicone mat, it's time to apply some conditioner. Yes, you can purchase a brush conditioner at your local store and use it like you would on your hair.

You can massage it generously and rinse it right then, or leave the product for a few minutes and wash it off. No matter which technique you choose, it's going to make those bristles buttery soft.

Step 5: Reshape and Dry

In the end, fluff the bristles and reshape them like they were before leaving them to air dry. As the bristles were rolled in the mat in different directions, they lost their shape, and if you forget to reshape it, they might be stiff and all over the place.

When working on a multi color eye look, cleaning your eyeshadow brush after each color can be impractical. Thankfully, a textured sponge offers a quick solution. 

Many makeup artists recommend swiping the brush over the sponge to clear off powder between shades.

The sponge's coarse texture removes leftover pigment from the bristles, allowing seamless transitions between palettes without needing multiple brushes. This easy trick keeps the process smooth and efficient.

Spray Dawn Powerwash directly onto the bristles of the brush.

Brush the bristles back and forth across your hand or a silicone scrubbing mat to work the suds into the bristles.

After you’ve worked the soap into the brush, gently run the bristles under lukewarm water.

Repeat the Dawn Powerwash application and back and forth brushing motion until the water runs clean and the suds are gone.

Gently squeeze out any excess water, reshape the bristles, and lay flat on a towel to dry.

Micellar water can be a handy option for removing makeup from brushes. To try this method, pour some into a bowl or soak a cotton pad, then gently press it against the bristles.

Be careful to avoid the metal part, as contact with water can damage the brush. This technique helps loosen and lift makeup buildup.

While micellar water works well for surface cleaning, it may not completely get rid of bacteria. For a deeper clean, regular washing with soap or a brush cleanser is still necessary.

The frequency of cleaning makeup brushes depends on the type of product they are used for.

Brushes used with wet or liquid-based products, such as foundation or concealer, should ideally be washed once a week. This helps remove buildup and keeps the brush working effectively.

For brushes used on the eyes or with dry products like eyeshadow and eyeliner, cleaning every two weeks is recommended.

Since the eyes are more prone to infections, keeping these brushes clean is especially important to avoid potential issues.

Proper storage extends the life of makeup brushes while keeping them hygienic. And if you consult any aestheticians or makeup artists, they advises you to store brushes in a closed container to protect them from dust and dirt that can transfer onto your skin.

Options include a clean makeup bag or pencil case for grouping brushes together or an acrylic organizer for a tidy and accessible setup.

Well-made makeup brushes can last for years with regular cleaning and proper drying. However, signs like shedding bristles, bad smells, frayed edges, or bristles that won't reshape are clear indicators they need to be replaced.

Stubborn buildup that won’t come off is another reason to retire old brushes. Makeup artist suggests highlights that good brushes are an investment.

Taking care of them through proper cleaning and maintenance ensures they stay in good condition and work effectively for a long time.

For a quicker solution, tools like makeup brush sanitizers can be helpful. While they’re useful for cutting down bacteria between cleanings, they shouldn’t replace regular manual washing.

Washing brushes by hand remains essential to keep them thoroughly clean and in good condition.

Brushes used for liquid foundation or other wet products should be cleaned after every use.

While regular washing works best, there are quicker options for in-between cleans to remove pigments, oil, and residue:

• Wipe brushes with a makeup-removing towelette.
• Use a spray cleanser, such as Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner.
• Rinse under warm water.
• For beauty blenders, rinse thoroughly and squeeze them repeatedly to remove all products.