Sis, we need to talk about your makeup brushes. I’ve seen your face beat all week long and you look amazing. But when was the last time you cleaned your makeup tools?
If it’s been a couple weeks, it’s time to fix that. I’ll be the first to admit that makeup brushes can be a chore to keep clean, especially if you have more than one set. But clean makeup brushes are essential for good skin hygiene and improved makeup application.
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Makeup brushes and sponges can hold bacteria, oil, dirt and dead skin cells if not cleaned regularly. Dirt, bacteria and oil left on your makeup tools, transfers to your skin causing breakouts and clogged pores. Also, applying your makeup with a dirty brush can leave streaks or have your makeup looking caked on.
Your Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES?
Ideally, you should wash your face makeup brushes and sponges weekly to remove any excess foundation and concealer. Liquid products can be soaked off of the brush first before washing to make sure the product between the bristles is removed. Unless you use your eyeshadow brushes daily, those can be washed a couple times a month. There are many products in the stores that you can purchase to clean your brushes or you can use some products that you already have at home.
HOW DO YOU CLEAN MAKEUP BRUSHES AND SPONGES?
My personal favorite way to clean my brushes is by using baby shampoo, it’s unscented and hypoallergenic and a little olive oil. Swirl the brush in the palm of your hand with the olive oil and shampoo until it foams, and the water runs clear. Lay the brushes flat, on a clean towel and allow to air dry.
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To cleanse your beauty sponge, massage your cleanser into the sponge until it lathers. Repeat until the sponge is spot free and bouncy and let it air dry. Try not to use too harsh of a cleanser for your sponges as they are more delicate than your brushes.
Next, we’ll give you some suggestions of makeup cleansers you can purchase from your favorite beauty counter.
Sephora Collection-Daily Brush Cleaner -$15- The Daily Brush Cleaner is great for the on the go artist. The spray works quickly to dissolve makeup while conditioning the brushes for extended use. The spray is safe for sensitive skin and has grapefruit and tea tree oil in it’s ingredients.
EcoTools Makeup Brush Cleansing Shampoo– $7.99- The EcoTools makeup brush shampoo is a deep cleanser that effectively removes makeup and oil from your brushes. This cleanser is hypoallergenic and boasts that it removes 90% of the makeup without leaving a residue.
Beautyblender Blendercleanser Solid Unscented Sponge & Brush Cleanser– $16- Cleaning your beauty sponges are a breeze with the Blendercleanser Solid cleanser. This cleanser goes deep to make sure the beauty sponge is left clean and free of leftover makeup and bacteria. This Blendercleanser is formulated with palm oil and coconut oil, both of which are nourishing and great for removing excess dirt and rinsing clean.
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Real Techniques Brush & Sponge Cleansing Gel $6.99- The Real Techniques cleansing gel is a cult favorite and rightfully so. This cleanser gets deep into the brush heads to remove any leftover makeup with ease. A little goes a long way and this is gentle enough to use on your brushes and sponges. The cleanser has a nice lather and is free of alcohol and parabens so it’s safe for sensitive skin.
NYX Professional Makeup On The Spot Makeup Brush Cleaner Spray -$10- The NYX On the Spot brush cleaner spray is great for quick cleaning and small brushes like eyeshadow or lip brushes. One or two spritzes will remove the makeup quickly and it dries down so you can use the brush the same day. This spray does have a slight sweet smell, so keep that in mind if you’re sensitive to smell.
MAC Cosmetics Brush Cleanser $17.00- The MAC Cosmetics brush cleanser is super easy to use. Simply apply the cleanser directly to the brush, wipe across a towel or paper towel until the residue is gone. This gentle cleanser extends the life of your brushes by not stripping them of their softness. The Brush Cleanser has a sweet scent, but not so overwhelming that it will irritate sensitive noses.
We hope this post has inspired you to clean your makeup brushes regularly. We all want our skin to flourish and our makeup to blend seamlessly and clean tools can help with that.
If you have a favorite way to clean your brushes or a favorite brush cleaner, let us know in the comments.
I find that my make up brushes take a very long time to dry and if they don’t dry completely can start to smell a little musty. Do you recommend using a hair dryer?
Hi there! First I’d recommend making sure the brushes are dried well with your towel, try squeezing the excess water out before you lay them flat. If you need your brushes to dry quickly, then you can use a blow dryer on very low heat. Lay them flat, then gently run the blow dryer over the brushes (without making direct contact). Hope this helps!