How To Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Did you know that you should be cleaning your makeup brushes? The reality is, some people never wash their makeup brushes. Most women that I know always skip or rarely wash their makeup brushes or probably do not know the underlying issues that could happen on your skin.

Washing your makeup brushes should be a regular part of your beauty routine. When you use your brushes, bits of makeup, oil, dirt, and even bacteria can get trapped in the bristles. So while it might seem basic, skipping this step can lead to clogged pores, pesky breakouts, and acne issues. So learning how to properly clean them is one of the best ways to protect your investment.

Luckily, cleaning your makeup brushes is quick and easy. The first step to keeping your brushes clean is picking up a daily brush cleaner and spritzing it on your brushes after each use (I like Sephora’s Daily Brush Cleaner). Once a week, it’s time for deep cleaning. (Note that your brushes will need a few hours to dry after a deep cleaning, so I’d recommend washing them after you’ve applied your makeup that day.)

Click here to watch ‘How I Clean My Makeup Brushes‘ on my Youtube Channel

Here’s the right way to deep clean your makeup brushes…

You will need:

  • Brush cleaning mat
  • Gentle clarifying brush soap or baby shampoo (I used my face cleanser)
  • Your sink
  • A clean towel tissue
  • Disinfection spray

Instructions:



  1. Begin by running your brushes under lukewarm water, rinsing out all of the residual makeup. Try to focus on the actual bristles while avoiding the part of the brush where the handle meets the head, as this can loosen the glue over time
  2. Squirt the facial cleanser on the brush cleansing mat, and gently swirl your brush tip on the mat. If you need to, you can also swirl the brush in the palm of your hand to work up a lather.
  3. Rinse the brush tip under running water once again. Repeat steps two and three until the water runs clear from the brush,
  4. Use a cloth to wipe your brush clean/fingertips, reshaping the bristles as you go.
  5. Lay your brushes flat on a cloth to dry or leave them out to dry.
Leaving your brushes in bad form means they’re unable to perform as well as they would if cleaned and fresh.

How often do you need to wash your brushes?

  • I would recommend cleaning your makeup brushes at least once a month, ideally once a week. Pick one night a week – mine are Sundays, it’s a good day for doing chores before the week gets started—and take five minutes to clean your brushes out.

How to store your makeup brushes after wash?

Keep your brushes covered when not in use. Your makeup brushes will likely last longer if you store them correctly. Store your brushes in a closed container to prevent pollutants like dust and dirt from landing on the bristles and eventually onto your skin.

Are your brushes in need of cleaning? Be sure to pin this post so that you’ll remember how to properly wash them.

And there you have it! Your makeup brushes will be as clean a whistle. It’s also worth mentioning that there are specially formulated brush shampoos on the market. A gentle clarifying or baby shampoo will do the trick just fine though.

1 Comment

  1. 7 April 2021 / 11:46 AM

    Nice info! Now I came to know how to clean my makeup brushes. Thank you for posting.

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