Introduction

You should clean your brushes regularly to keep them in good working order and maintain healthy skin. Dirt, oils, and bacteria build up on your makeup brushes, so they should be properly cleaned at least every couple of weeks to prevent pimples and extend the life of your brushes. In this blog, we will show you how to clean makeup brushes properly.

Types of Makeup Brushes

Face Brushes

Face brushes, such as foundation, powder, and blush brushes, are vital for makeup application. Regular cleaning ensures optimal performance and hygiene.

Foundation Brushes

Foundation brushes are used to apply and blend foundation on the face. They can be flat, rounded, or stippling, offering light, medium, or full coverage. Brushes frequently dipped in liquid or cream products are especially important for maintaining hygiene.

Powder Brushes

Powder brushes are typically large with many fluffy bristles, designed to apply loose or pressed powder for setting or finishing makeup. Their loose shape and density allow them to pick up a lot of products, making regular cleaning essential to prevent them from becoming scratchy and losing their effectiveness.

Blush Brushes

Blush brushes are usually smaller than powder brushes and often angled to apply blush specifically to the cheeks. Regular cleaning of blush brushes prevents colour mixing when switching shades and ensures that the blush remains true to its original hue.

Eye Brushes

Eye brushes, including eyeshadow, eyeliner, and blending brushes, are essential for precise application and blending of eye makeup. Regular cleaning ensures accurate colour application and prevents irritation.

Eyeshadow Brushes

Eyeshadow brushes come in various rounded and flat shapes for applying, blending, or detailing eyeshadow. They vary in size to fit different lid shapes. Use a flat brush to pack on colour and a detailed brush for intricate work. Regular cleaning is essential to keep colours true and avoid eye irritation.

Eyeliner Brushes

Eyeliner brushes feature a fine, pointed tip for applying gel or cream eyeliner. Keeping these brushes clean ensures they stay sharp for precise application, which is crucial for achieving a flawless eyeliner look. Regular cleaning is necessary to remove debris and maintain performance.

Blending Brushes

Blending brushes, also known as crease or fluffy brushes, are used to soften edges and blend colours. Their fluffy, rounded bristles diffuse colour well, so keeping them clean is vital to prevent a muddy appearance and ensure a professional finish.

Lip Brushes

Lip brushes are essential for precise application of lip liner, lipstick, and gloss, ensuring a defined and flawless finish. Regular cleaning maintains hygiene and prevents colour mixing for optimal results.

Lip Liner Brushes

Lip liner brushes are designed to apply lip liner precisely, helping define the lips and prevent lipstick from straying beyond the lip line. Regular cleaning is essential to maintain hygiene and ensure accurate application.

Lip Colour Brushes

Lip colour brushes are used to apply lipstick or lip gloss and can also help remove excess product for a perfect finish. Regular cleaning is crucial for colour accuracy and hygiene, so these brushes should be cleaned after each use.

Tools and Products Needed for Makeup Brushes Cleaning

Gentle Shampoo or Brush Cleanser

Occasionally, use a gentle shampoo or brush cleanser to remove makeup residue, oils, and bacteria from your brushes without damaging the bristles. Choose products without harsh chemical detergents to preserve the brush’s quality.

Warm Water

Warm water helps loosen makeup and grime from the brush bristles and activates the detergent to dissolve and rinse away the dirt. Avoid using water that’s too hot, as it can dissolve the glue holding the bristles and reduce the brush’s lifespan.

Brush Cleaning Mat or Glove

Using a brush cleaning mat or glove, which has a textured surface, helps agitate the bristles and remove stubborn product buildup more effectively than hand washing. These tools ensure a thorough clean by reaching the full length and depth of the bristles.

Towel or Paper Towels

Having a towel or paper towels on hand helps with drying your brushes after rinsing. Blotting the brushes with a towel, rather than rubbing, removes more water and speeds up the drying process, ensuring a better result.

Brush Drying Rack or Stand

A brush drying rack or stand allows brushes to dry upside down, preventing water from seeping into the glue that holds the bristles. This method helps maintain the brush’s shape and prolongs its lifespan.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Makeup Brushes

Preparation

Proper preparation involves organising your workspace near a sink, setting up a clean area with towels, and gathering all necessary cleaning tools. This ensures a smooth and efficient brush-cleaning process.

Organising Your Workspace

Ensure there’s a sink nearby to keep your makeup tools separate from regular bathroom clutter. Organise your supplies into piles, such as brushes, sponges, pots of product, and cleaning solutions. This arrangement will make the cleanup process more efficient and satisfying, rather than a chaotic task.

Setting Up a Clean Area

Position your clean area near the sink for easy access to water, and lay out paper towels or a fresh towel on the counter for your cleaned brushes. Having a designated clean space helps maintain organisation and prevents dirty surfaces from coming into contact with your brushes.

Gathering All Necessary Tools and Products

Collect all the cleaning products you need, including gentle shampoo or brush cleanser, warm water, a brush-cleaning mat or glove, and a drying rack or stand. This preparation minimises interruptions and ensures a smooth cleaning process.

Initial Brush Inspection

Before cleaning, inspect your brushes for damage, such as loose bristles or cracked handles. Discard any brushes that are beyond repair to ensure an effective and efficient cleaning process.

Checking for Damaged or Worn-Out Brushes

Inspect your brushes before cleaning them. Look for any damage, such as loose or shedding bristles, cracked or broken handles, or bent brush heads. If you find brushes that are beyond repair, it’s best to discard them rather than waste time cleaning tools that will ultimately need to be replaced. Conduct this inspection before each cleaning session to ensure you are working with both effective and clean tools.

Cleaning Process for Makeup Brushes

Wetting the Brushes

Dampen the brush bristles with warm water to loosen trapped makeup and grease, avoiding contact with the handle and metal ferrule. This prevents damage to the glue that holds the bristles in place.

Using Warm Water

Dampen the brushes with warm water to help loosen makeup and grease trapped in the bristles. Hold the brush bristles under a gentle stream of warm water, ensuring that the water runs only through the bristles and not directly onto the handle or metal ferrule.

Avoiding the Brush Handle

Be careful not to let water touch the handle or the metal ferrule, as this can weaken the glue that holds the bristles in place. Tip the brush downward so that only the bristles get wet, preventing damage to the handle and ferrule.

Applying Cleanser

Apply a small amount of gentle shampoo or brush cleanser to your hand or cleaning mat, adjusting the quantity based on brush size and stiffness. Gradually add more if needed to ensure thorough cleansing of the bristles.

Choosing the Right Cleanser

Use a gentle shampoo or a designated brush cleaner to wash your brushes. Brush cleansers are formulated to remove makeup residue and bacteria, offering a more thorough cleanse than general hair products. Baby shampoo, designed for delicate skin and hair, is also suitable if needed.

Amount to Use

Apply a small amount of cleaner to the palm of your hand or a brush cleaning mat. The amount required will depend on the size and stiffness of the brush. Start with a small quantity and gradually add more as needed to ensure the bristles are adequately cleansed.

Lathering and Massaging

Lather the cleanser into the brush bristles and gently massage it to ensure it reaches deep into the brush. Use your fingers to work the cleanser thoroughly, focusing on the base to remove all residue without damaging the bristles.

Working the Cleanser into the Bristles

Swirl the brush bristles into the cleanser and work it into a lather. Use your fingers to gently pry open the bristles and ensure the cleanser reaches deep into the brush, including the base. Apply a small amount for thicker brushes or a bit more for thinner ones, being careful not to damage the bristles.

Using a Brush Cleaning Mat or Glove

For a more thorough clean, use a brush cleaning mat or glove with textured surfaces to help agitate the bristles and remove makeup more effectively. Swirl the brush over the textured surface, applying gentle pressure to assist the cleanser in reaching all areas of the bristles.

Rinsing the Brushes

Rinse the brushes under warm water, ensuring the cleanser and makeup residue are thoroughly washed away. Gently squeeze the bristles to remove excess water and ensure the bristles are clean and soft.

Using Warm Water

Lather the cleanser into the brush bristles and rinse them under warm water to remove both the cleanser and loosened makeup. Hold the brush bristles under the water stream and gently squeeze to ensure all product is washed out. Continue until the water runs clear.

Ensuring All Cleanser is Removed

Thoroughly rinse all cleanser from the bristles to prevent them from hardening and losing their softness. Ensure you squeeze the bristles gently to remove any remaining rinse water and avoid leaving any cleanser behind.

Drying and Maintenance of Makeup Brushes

Removing Excess Water

Gently squeeze the water out of the bristles after rinsing, taking care not to tug or pull on them. Use a clean towel to blot the brushes, pressing lightly to remove excess moisture without rubbing.

Gently Squeezing Out Water

After rinsing out the soap, gently squeeze the water from the bristles. Avoid tugging or pulling on the bristles, and refrain from using nails or tools, as this can damage the brush. Squeeze from the base to the tip, removing as much water as possible without being too harsh.

Using a Towel to Blot Dry

Wipe the brushes over a clean towel to remove excess moisture. Lay the brushes flat on the towel with the bristles facing out and press lightly to absorb the remaining water. Avoid rubbing the brushes on the towel.

Shaping the Brushes

Reshape your brushes while they are still damp by gently flicking the bristles back towards the ferrule to maintain their original form. Proper shaping is essential for even makeup application and to prevent damage.

Reshaping the Bristles

After wiping off excess water with a paper towel, reshape the bristles to their original form while they are still wet. Use your finger to gently flick the tips of the bristles back towards the ferrule. Proper reshaping is crucial to avoid damaging the brush and to maintain its effectiveness.

Importance of Proper Brush Shape

Maintaining the correct shape of your brush is essential for even and precise makeup application. Dry or misshapen bristles can lead to uneven and patchy results. Taking a few minutes to reshape the brush while it’s still damp ensures it dries properly and retains its intended form.

Drying the Brushes

Place brushes with bristles facing down on a drying rack to allow water to drain out and prevent handle damage. Ensure they are completely dry before use to avoid mould and bacteria, and to maintain their performance.

Using a Brush Drying Rack or Stand

Place the brushes with the bristles facing down on a drying rack or stand. This position allows water to drain out of the bristles rather than seeping into the handle. A drying rack ensures the brushes remain at the correct angle for even drying and proper shape.

Ensuring Brushes are Completely Dry Before Use

Allow the brushes to dry completely before using them again, which may take several hours or overnight depending on their size and density. Ensuring they are fully dry prevents mould and bacteria growth, maintaining their hygiene and effectiveness.

Deep Cleaning vs. Quick Cleaning

Deep Cleaning

Deep clean your makeup brushes monthly to remove all residues and bacteria, especially if used with liquid or cream products. Thoroughly lather, rinse, and reshape your brushes to ensure their longevity and maintain optimal performance.

Frequency of Deep Cleaning

Makeup brushes should be deep cleaned at least once a month to remove built-up makeup, oils, dirt, and bacteria. Brushes used with liquid or cream products (e.g., foundation or concealer brushes) may require deep cleaning every two weeks.

Detailed Steps for Thorough Cleaning

For a thorough deep clean, wet the brushes in lukewarm water, avoiding the handle. Apply a generous amount of gentle shampoo or brush cleanser to the bristles, using a brush cleaning mat or glove to work the cleanser in deeply. Ensure a rich lather forms. Rinse the brushes thoroughly with lukewarm water until clear, squeeze out excess water, and blot with a clean towel. Reshape the bristles and let the brushes dry completely before reuse. This intensive cleaning maintains the brushes’ functionality and extends their lifespan.

Quick Cleaning

Quick cleaning keeps brushes fresh between uses by removing product build-up and preventing colour contamination. Use quick-dry cleansers or sprays for a fast refresh, allowing brushes to be almost immediately ready for use.

When to Perform Quick Cleaning

Quick cleaning can be done weekly or between uses to prevent colour contamination and maintain brush hygiene. For powder products like eyeshadow or blush, a quick clean after each use helps keep brushes in good condition between deeper cleans.

Using Quick-Dry Brush Cleaners or Sprays

Quick-dry brush cleansers or sprays are ideal for a rapid refresh. Spray a small amount onto a clean tissue or paper towel, then swirl the brush bristles on the dampened tissue. Wipe away any residue and repeat as necessary. Since these cleansers evaporate quickly, brushes can be used almost immediately after cleaning, making it a great option for in-between deep cleans.

Additional Tips and Tricks to Clean Makeup Brushes

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Avoid over-soaking your brushes, which can weaken the glue and shorten their lifespan. Use gentle cleansers instead of harsh soaps to protect the bristles and maintain brush quality.

Not Over-Soaking the Brush

Over-soaking weakens the glue that secures the bristles, leading to shedding and deformation, and allows water to seep into the brush handle, reducing the brush’s longevity.

Avoiding Harsh Cleaners

Harsh cleansers or soaps can damage bristles and shorten the life of your brushes. Use gentle shampoos or brush-specific cleansers, and avoid dish soaps or products with alcohol.

Extending Brush Life

Extend the life of your brushes by storing them upright in a dry container and performing regular cleaning and maintenance. Ensure they are completely dry before storage to prevent mould and preserve their shape and integrity.

Proper Storage Techniques

Proper storage helps your brushes retain their shape and integrity. Store brushes upright in a holder or container to prevent bent or misshapen bristles, and ensure they are completely dry before storing to avoid mould and mildew.

Regular Maintenance and Care

Clean your brushes immediately after use and deep clean them regularly. Regularly check for damage, and replace any broken parts to maintain brush quality and extend their lifespan.

Conclusion

Cleaning brushes regularly is crucial for maintaining their performance and keeping your skin healthy! Good cleaning habits help prevent bacteria build-up on the bristles, extend the life of your brushes, and ensure a better makeup application. Keep your tools and skin clean by making brush hygiene a priority!