Makeup brushes are used daily on your face; therefore, they should be cleaned often. When makeup brushes are not cleaned, bacteria begin to buildup on these brushes and can cause breakouts according to dermatologists. Regular cleaning of these beauty supplies is key to healthy, clear skin. How you clean your makeup brushes is just as important as how often you clean your makeup brushes. Follow our step-by-step instructions to clean your makeup brushes correctly.
Makeup Brush Cleaning Supplies
Dirty brushes make for spotty applications, an increased risk of acne, and a shorter lifespan of your makeup brushes. Luckily, you can clean your makeup brushes in three easy steps and a few supplies.
Automatic Brush Cleaning Machine
That’s right, there is a machine that does all the work for you. These automatic brush cleaning machines are a fast, easy way to keep your brushes looking great. They can even dry the brushes for you.
- HIGH QUALITY MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER & DRYER: Ricris makeup brush cleaner is made of premium materials for long lasting service, precision, and safety. our electric makeup brush cleaner cleans your brushes to 99% for better performance applying makeup.
- CLEAN AND DRY 2 IN 1 MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER: By the automatic makeup brush cleaner , you can perfectly clean and dry brushes in less than a minute. This will make makeup application much faster and more pleasing. Don't be surprised if you have a little extra time for another cup of coffee before heading to work. great electric makeup brush cleaner.
- MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER WITH 8 COLLARS INCLUDED to accommodate all size brushes since clean and dry automatic brush cleaner includes an ergonomic electric switch for easy intuitive operation. All parts of the kit are precision crafted for tight, leak proof fit. The bowl is made of hygienic plastic and will not break if dropped. easy use automatic makeup brush cleaner and dryer.
- EASY TO USE MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER: Just 3 steps easily to use this electric make up cleaner and dryer. 1.Attach the brush to the spinner. 2.Pour water and soap into the bowl. 3.Dip & spin to clean, raise & spin to dry, this automatic makeup brush cleaner will free your hands and save your much time.
- For our automatic makeup brush cleaner,ensures this will quickly become your favorite purchase. Many people are stocking up with 2 or 3 of these so they can keep them in multiple bathrooms and bedrooms and share with family members. This makes a great birthday present, holiday gift, or anniversary gift. Also wonderful for friends, family, and co-workers
Gentle Soap
Some people recommend using regular dish soap for this cleaning task; however, a bar of gentle soap is a better choice, especially if your makeup brush is made of natural hairs. In general, using a gentle soap helps your makeup brush bristles to last longer.
- ✅ MADE WITH NATURAL ANTIBACTERIAL INGREDIENTS – This Liquid Hand Soap is infused with Mother Nature’s Natural Antibacterial ingredients and miracle herbs of Sage & Rosemary and the healing properties of Tea Tree Essential Oil as well as infused with Orange Blossom Fragrance which gives a refreshing scent and fragrance.
- ✅ NATURAL HAND WASH – This hand soap is made with natural ingredients and is suitable for all skin types. It is free of Parabens, Phthalates, and other harmful chemicals.
- ✅ CLEANS & MOISTURIZES – Our Antibacterial hand soap will moisturize and nourish your hands and protect them from drying out while washing away germs, dirt, grimes, and impurities.
- ✅ HELPS KILLING GERMS & BACTERIA – This hand wash contains anti-bacterial properties and helps killing germs, leaving your hands clean and soft. Use every day in the kitchen and bathroom.
- ✅ CRUELTY FREE & MADE IN USA – All our products are cruelty-free and have never been tested on animals. All products are made in California, USA.
Makeup Brush Cleanser
A commercial makeup brush cleanser can be used in place of gentle soap for this cleaning task. This cleanser is specifically designed to cleanse hard-to-remove makeup from the bristles of your makeup brushes.
- EcoTools Makeup Brush + Sponge Shampoo effectively removes makeup, oil, and other impurities from your makeup brushes and makeup sponges so they stay in good condition for flawless makeup application. Never run out by using Subscribe & Save
- Eco-friendly makeup brush cleanser is free of harsh chemicals. Paraben free, phthalate free, sulfate free, and free of petroleum-based ingredients making it safe for sensitive skin
- Easy to use: wet bristles with water, squeeze a small amount of shampoo and gently rub bristles between your fingers to create a lather. Rinse thoroughly. Continue until water runs clear. Squeeze excess water, reshape brush, and lay flat to dry
- Recommended to use brush shampoo weekly to deep clean, prolong the life of your brushes and sponges, and prevent shedding while keeping them looking and feeling brand new
- Brush shampoo is suitable for all brush hair types and makeup blender sponge materials- use them with our EcoTools makeup brushes and Bioblender beauty sponges
Makeup Brush Cleaning Mat
A makeup brush cleaning mat is specially designed to help pull makeup from deep within the makeup brush. Available in mats or glove forms, they will help you efficiently clean your makeup brushes.
Hand Towel
A hand towel is used to dry the makeup brush bristles after they have been cleaned.
- Ultra-soft 100% cotton terry construction with a thick, luxurious hand-feel
- Solid color design adds a classic look to your bathroom; plush, highly absorbent 650 GSM weave
- Set includes 4 hand towels of 16 x 26 inches
- Machine wash and dry; avoid contact with products containing benzoyl peroxide
- Made in OEKO-TEX STeP certified factory, an independent certification system that ensures textiles meet high safety and environmental standards
Cleaning Makeup Brushes
If you choose to purchase an automatic brush cleaning machine, all you have to do is operate the device according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The machine does the work for you. Some people, especially pros, use these devices, but most consumers like to keep it simple. The following step-by-step guide for cleaning makeup brushes keeps everything simple. When you follow our directions, your makeup brushes will be clean in minutes.
Step One: Wet Brush Bristles and Apply Cleanser to Pad
Use warm water to wet the brush bristles. Apply the cleanser to the makeup brush cleaning mat. If you chose to use the gentle soap, apply it to the cleaning mat.
- Pro Tip: If you decide to use gentle soap instead of a commercial cleanser, you can also add olive oil to the soap for extra cleaning power. This formula will also moisturize brush bristles. Use two parts soap and one part olive oil.
- SMOOTH EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL: Expertly crafted by The Olive Oil People, this extra virgin olive oil is made from first cold pressed olives, grown and nurtured by our family of farmers.
- SMOOTH, DELICATE TASTE: Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oils are ideal for any meal that starts with a sauté and ends with a drizzle. With its smooth, delicate taste, Pompeian Smooth EVOO is perfect for sautéing and stir-frying!
- 100% FARMER CRAFTED: Quality from The Olive Oil People since 1906.
- IMPORTED, FIRST COLD PRESSED EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL: Certified for Authenticity by the North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA).
- COMMITTED TO QUALITY: Pompeian Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil is Naturally Gluten Free and Non-Allergenic, Kosher, and Non-GMO Verified by the Non-GMO Project.
Step Two: Clean Brushes Using Makeup Brush Cleaning Mat
Rub the makeup brush against the cleaning mat, gently massaging the brush bristles. Once the cleaning mat has worked its magic, rinse the bristles thoroughly.
- Pro Tip: Be sure not to wet the base (ferrule) of the makeup brush head. The ferrule is attached to the handle with glue. Excess moisture can cause the glue to disintegrate.
Step Three: Allow the Makeup Brushes to Air Dry
The hand towel is not for drying the makeup brushes completely. Use the hand towel to gently squeeze the excess moisture out of the brush’s bristles. Once most of the moisture has been removed, you want to reshape the makeup brush bristles. Use your fingers to gently shape the bristles back to their original form.
Then, lay the brush on the counter with the head of the brush hanging slightly over the edge of the counter. This will help ensure your makeup brush retains its shape and dries properly. Pro Tip: Never lay your makeup brushes on a towel to dry. This can cause the bristles to grow mold and mildew.
Final Thoughts
While this cleaning task is easy, it’s important to pay attention to the subtle details described in our instructions. You may want to consider purchasing an automatic brush cleaning machine. Whether you clean your makeup brushes by hand or use an automatic cleaner, you can complete this cleaning task in a matter of minutes.
FAQ: Cleaning Makeup Brushes
Makeup brushes must be cleaned often to prevent bacteria from building up on the bristles. Facial skin is delicate, which means you must pay close attention when cleaning your brushes. Thankfully, we have provided you with the information on how to clean your makeup brushes correctly. Now it is time to answer a few more questions you may have.
How often should you clean makeup brushes?
Makeup brushes should be cleaned once per week according to professional makeup artists. They must be cleaned more often than other makeup applicators.
How long do makeup brushes typically last?
Makeup brush lifespans vary greatly depending on the type of brush and the quality of your brush. For example, high-end brushes typically last longer than budget brushes.
What signs tell you it is time to throw a makeup brush away?
A makeup brush should be tossed if the bristles start to shed, become discolored, or develop a bad odor.
Do natural brushes last longer than synthetic brushes?
Yes, makeup brushes made with natural hairs, if cared for properly, can last up to 6 years.
How long does it take for the makeup brushes to dry after they have been cleaned?
It typically takes about 3 hours for the brushes to dry completely. Ensure your makeup brushes are totally dry before using to help reduce the risk of bacterial growth.
