How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Clean your brushes after you’ve purchased them and clean them on a regular basis to remove dirt and debris, old makeup, oils, bacteria and dead skin cells. One of the greatest advantages of keeping your brush set clean is softness. As makeup builds up, especially foundation and powder, brushes become scratchy, so if you have sensitive skin, cleaning you brushes will make them feel soft and lush.

Clean Makeup Brushes: A Few Guidelines

How often should one clean makeup brushes? Ideally, every day. Since no one has time to do that, here are a few guidelines to cleaning your brushes, depending on their use. Foundation and powder finishing brushes should be cleaned at least once a week, while blush and bronzers brushes once a week. Clean eye shadow and concealer brushes every 2-3 days, but eyeliner brushes after every use.

Types of Cleansers for Makeup Brushes

You can clean your makeup brushes using different brush cleaning products: sprays, foaming or conditioning cleansers. ABT Foaming Brush Cleanser not only cleanses, but also sanitizes as it works. The bubble action helps brushes dry within minutes. A Bobbi Brown Conditioning Brush Cleanser is specifically designed to remove makeup and residue safely without damaging brushes. Take special care of your brushes by cleaning them regularly for a longer lasting life.

Cleaning sprays are another option: Paula Dorf Brush Out Brush Cleaning Spray or Clinique Makeup Brush Cleanser thoroughly cleanse your brushes, removing makeup residue build-up. Keep brush hairs in optimal condition. Regular cleansing ensures the highest level of hygiene and helps brushes last longer.

Brush Cleaning Steps

Run the bristles of the brushes under warm water. Put a drop of Bobbi Brown Conditioning Brush Cleanser or ABT Foaming Brush Cleanser on the bristles. Put a heavy drop on for foundation, blush and bronzer, and powder brushes, and small drops for concealer, eye shadow and eyeliner, and other small brushes.

Rub in the foam or conditioning cleanser gently, until you have a bit of a spume forming. Depending on the makeup you’ve used, the spume might be a bit colored, so make sure you get to almost every bristle. Rinse meticulously, until there is no more visible spume. Blot the brushes dry on a towel. Try not to change the natural shape of the bristles.