How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes

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Hello friends! Today I’m bringing you a beauty post for the cleaners and organizers out there.  I’m going to share how to clean your makeup brushes. I’ll be the first person to admit that years ago I never cleaned my brushes.  I know you are horrified and that is ok.  In addition to being young, I just didn’t pay attention to things like cleaning your makeup brushes.

Well as I get older I have also gotten wiser and cleaning my makeup brushes is a priority for me.  I used to be worried they wouldn’t dry fast and I’d be without my brushes for days. However, that isn’t true, most brushes dry overnight.  Also cleaning them takes a few minutes and isn’t hard at all.  I’ll show you how.

Cleaning Recommendations

So how often should you clean your brushes?  Most people in the makeup industry would say the cleaner your tools the better.  I’ve once heard a dermatologist recommend cleaning your brushes once a week.  However, I think that is overkill.  I think every other week or once a month  seems pretty reasonable. However you should do what you think it best for you.

You are cleaning your brushes for three main reasons.  First to remove any bacteria that may be on the brush.  You don’t want that being spread all over your face.  Second, to extend the life of the brushes.  And third, to allow for the best application of your makeup. Having excess build up on the brushes limits their ability to work. 

Tools To Use 

I clean my brushes with two main tools.  The first is being the cleansing mat. I picked mine up on Amazon for $5.  I personally wouldn’t spend any more on a cleansing mat.  The mat is made of silicon and has several different textured areas to clean your brushes.  Depending on the brush type the different sections on the mat will clean your brush easier. Test each out and see what works best.

Cleaning solution to makeup brushes is like shampoo to hair, you need to have a good one.  I personally use the MAC Brush Cleanser since all my brushes are MAC.  However you can pretty much use any cleanser.  The price doesn’t matter, an expensive one works just as good as a super cheap one.  The cleanser is all about your preference.  

How To Clean Them 

Once you have your tools lined up, it’s pretty easy to do and super satisfying.  I love to clean and that goes for my makeup brushes too. 

Step 1 -Put a little cleansing solution in a bowl.  The smaller the bowl the better as you want the full brush to be submerged in the solution.

Step 2 – Dunk the brush into the solution and swirl it around, get the whole brush wet.

Step 3 – Rub the bristles on the cleansing mat to work out the excess product.  The solution will start to look murky, this is a good thing because the brush is getting cleaned.

Step 4 – Continue to rinse the brush with more solution until the murkiness goes away.  In addition you should be able to see the bristles look clean.

Step 5 – Gently pat the brush with a towel to remove the excess liquid.

Step 6 – Reshape bristles if needed.

Step 7 – Let your brushes dry.  Lay them flat on the counter with the bristles hanging off the edge.  This will allow air to get around all the bristles. Do Not let your brushes dry on a towel, they will develop mildew.

Keep Cleaning or Replace 

Now you can religiously clean your brushes, but sometimes they just need to be replaced.  While regular cleaning will extend the life of your brushes, it won’t make them live forever.  I’ve use MAC brushes and have had them for years.  I’ve actually lost count and they are still full and fresh.

When your brushes start to lose bristles or fray you will want to replace them.  When they start to deteriorate they don’t work as well and your makeup application will start to suffer. 

See I told you it was super easy.  Now get to work and clean those brushes!  Looking for more makeup posts?  Check out my 5 minute Makeup Routine here.