Tue, Jul 30, 2024
How to Clean Makeup Brushes at Home, According to a Celebrity Makeup Artist
As a celebrity makeup artist and the founder of a luxury brush line, I spend a lot of time talking about blending techniques and color theory. But if you asked me for my single most important piece of advice for achieving a flawless, airbrushed finish, it has nothing to do with how you apply your foundation. It all comes down to how you care for your tools: Regular cleaning is the only way to get a professional-grade performance every single time they touch your face.
Here's my definitive guide to cleaning makeup brushes at home without ruining their shape or shedding their bristles.
Gathering Your Supplies
Figuring out the best way to clean makeup brushes doesn’t require a trip to a specialty store. You just need a few essentials:
- A safe cleanser: Use a mild shampoo, a clarifying shampoo, or a brush cleaner formulated specifically for cosmetics.
- The right temperature: Always use lukewarm water.
- Drying materials: Keep a clean towel and some dry paper towels nearby.
Pro Tip: Avoid using plain household soap and water. Basic soap is far too harsh and will dry out the bristles, leaving your brushes feeling scratchy.
Step-by-Step: How to Wash Makeup Brushes at Home
The biggest mistake people make on wash day is accidentally destroying the ferrule (the metal band that connects the bristles to the handle). If water gets trapped inside that metal casing, it will dissolve the internal glue, and your favorite brush will immediately start shedding.
Follow these steps to get a deep clean while protecting the structural integrity of your tools:
- Start with the tips: Turn on your sink and rinse only the very tips of your brushes under lukewarm, running water to flush away the top layer of residual makeup. Be careful not to submerge the whole brush head.
- Mix your cleansing bath: Fill a small bowl with lukewarm water and stir in a tablespoon of gentle shampoo or brush cleaner.
- Work up a rich lather: Dip the brush tip into the bowl and swirl it around. For denser foundation tools, gently massage the soapy brush tip directly in the palm of your hand to help break down stubborn liquids and creams.
- Rinse thoroughly: Hold the brush tips under the running tap to rinse away the suds. Continue shampooing and rinsing until the water runs clear from the brush.
- Squeeze out the moisture: Once clean, use a dry paper towel to gently squeeze the bristles and remove excess water.
- Dry them flat: Lay your brushes flat on a clean towel to dry. Position them so the tips hang over the edge of the counter. (This allows air to circulate around the brush head.) Never dry your brushes standing upright in a container or cup, as gravity will pull the water down into the handle and loosen the glue.
Pro Accessories to Upgrade Wash Day
If you have a large collection, washing every tool by hand can feel tedious. There are a few professional accessories you can incorporate to make the process faster and much more efficient:
- Silicone brush mats: These flexible mats feature various ridges and textures perfect for deep-cleaning every type of brush. You just add a bit of cleanser and swirl the brush directly on the mat under the tap.
- Cleaning gloves: Made from the same textured silicone, these wearable gloves let you quickly scrub brushes of all sizes while protecting your hands from soap and water.
- Automatic cleaners: If you're in a rush and don't have time to wait for your tools to air dry, automatic brush cleaners use centrifugal spin technology to wash and dry your brushes in seconds.
A clean brush is a happy brush. Make wash day a non-negotiable part of your weekly routine, and you'll instantly notice a difference in the way your makeup applies!
Expert FAQ: Your Brush Cleaning Questions Answered
| The Question | The Professional Answer |
|---|---|
How often should I clean my brushes? |
In a professional setting, I wash and sanitize my kit between every single client. But for your personal vanity at home, dermatologists and medical guidelines advise washing your brushes every seven to 10 days. |
When is it time to replace my makeup brushes? |
If you invest in high-quality, luxury brushes and maintain them properly, they can last for years! However, it’s definitely time to replace a brush if it’s constantly shedding, has lost its original shape, feels scratchy and stiff on your skin, or if the metal ferrule has become loose and wobbly. |
Can I use dish soap to clean my makeup brushes? |
I highly recommend skipping DIY kitchen sink methods. Dish soap is formulated to strip heavy, stubborn grease from pots and pans. Using it on your brushes will strip the delicate bristles of their softness, leaving them brittle and prone to snapping. Always stick to a gentle shampoo or a professional cosmetic brush cleanser. |
Do I need to wash brand-new makeup brushes before using them? |
Yes! It’s a great habit to gently wash any brand-new brush before it touches your face. A quick wash removes residual dust, loose hairs, or factory particles left over from manufacturing, packaging, and shipping. |
How do I clean my beauty sponges? |
Beauty sponges absorb much more liquid than brushes, so they need a bit more elbow grease. Wet the sponge under lukewarm water, apply your cleanser directly to the sponge, and gently massage and squeeze it until it lathers. Rinse and squeeze repeatedly until the water runs clear, then leave it out to air-dry in an open, well-ventilated space. |