If you wear makeup, you probably use makeup brushes. There’s a brush for everything and they come in all shapes, sizes, colors and price ranges! But no matter what brushes you use, there’s one common factor: you need to CLEAN THEM. I struggle with this too, don’t worry. Ideally, you should clean your brushes as often as you use them. Just thinking about the bacteria and germs that sit on your brushes and then get spread all over your face makes me shiver. So here’s how to clean your makeup brushes properly:
When you dry your makeup brushes, make sure the bristles are facing down to avoid attracting bacteria!
Shop: Rose Gold Makeup Brushes
You can always buy a specific makeup brush cleaner like this one, but if you’re in a pinch and trying to save a few extra dollars, enter my savior: baby shampoo! You can pick it up at almost every drug store, and this gentle soap is perfect for cleaning all the makeup of your brushes.
1. Wet your brushes under warm water. Make sure you always keep your brushes facing downward, to avoid the water loosening the glue keeping the bristles in place!
2. Squeeze a quarter-sized amount of baby shampoo in the palm of your hand.
3. Gently swirl the brush around for about 30 or so seconds. You can see the makeup melting off almost instantly!
4. Wash off the soap from the brushes under warm for around 30 seconds.
5. Repeat the process until your brush is clean!
When it comes time to dry your brushes, try to keep them facing down as much as possible. Pat them dry with a paper towel, then lay them flat to dry overnight! Make sure to dry your brush sideways or brush part down because you want the water to completely dry or it will attract bacteria. You can buy a drying rack specifically for your brushes, but it’s up to you!
When was the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes? Let me know in the comments below! Have a great Tuesday everyone!
Credits:
Photography by Karla TicasWhat do YOU think?
61 responses to “How to Clean your Makeup Brushes Properly”
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I love your ingenious hair band teepee trick!
I clean my brushes more or less the same way except I use an BrushEgg which I find cleans brushes more effectively with Dr Bronners baby unscented pure castile liquid soap. I leave them to dry in a Real Techniques brush case, but I’m definitely going to try your hairband tip!
Washing makeup brushes I find is a real chore however its defiantly a must! I loved this post and agree on using Baby Shampoo so much cheaper and does a great job!
These are great tips! I always like using Dawn Dishsoap because it really gets all of the oil and dirt out of my brushes!
http://www.youarebeaut.blogspot.com
[…] 4. One of the most important make-up tips out there (www.thechrisellefactor.com) […]
I clean my brushes twice a week – in my hand, with shampoo. But I didn´t know that the best is to hang them upside down when drying. Thanks for this blogpost.
Cleaning my brushes is a necessary chore that I hate. I think thats why I have so many brushes so I can go longer in between cleanings. I like to use Dr. Bronner’s Lavender soap to clean mine. I love that you hang yours upside down to dry. I need to start doing that.
Trecee
http://treceefabulous.blogspot.com/
I so need to get better at washing my brushes more often! But when I do I use dish soap and olive oil and its amazing to see all the junk that comes out of my brushes! Thanks for sharing 🙂
xox Tess | Sequins are the New Black
I do wash my makeup brushes but not as often as I should! I like your tip to wash them in your hand, rather than how I was doing. it, which was in a bowl of warm water with shampoo which could possibly loosen the glue that holds the bristles together. My method to dry the brushes is bristles angled down on a folded towel.
Thank you for sharing this really simple method! To be honest I never look forward to cleaning my brushes, because it’s always a lot of fuss. I also noticed that they don’t look as good as they used to after my cleaning – I think it’s because I clean them with regular soap. I’ll switch to baby shampoo as you suggest and I hope it’ll be better!
http://stylestandpoint.com
I rinse my brushes in hair conditioner, this helps make them softer. It is also a good hint to put face sponges,make up puffs into a net bag and pop in the washer with towels.
Err.. I’ve only cleaned my makeup brushes twice this year and I’m not proud of that at all.. I hardly wear makeup because my skin is acne prone and when I do, it has to be lose powder or Mac compact powder…never foundation otherwise I’ll break out in a million places! However, I’ve sure learnt a few tips on how to keep them clean and free of germs! Thank you.
I clean my brushes with liquid hand soap and face cleanser mixed in a cup of water. And I clean my beautyblender sponge with Fairy (the cleanser gel for plates haha), but it actually works like magic because it really cleans every bit of foundation on it.
Someone please envent self-cleaning brushes !
Amen.
This would be an invention of a century that will save many of us
=)
Oh my god! I didn’t realise you were supposed to clean them in your hand like that! That is so clever – I bought an amazing brush cleaner with my beauty blender so I’m going to try using this method and cleaning them today.. It’s been a while since I gave them a good clean (Oops!)
x
Shloka
thesilksneaker.com
Oh My, I have to go wash them right after writing to you! Haha! So ashamed, and thanks for the reminder! I didn’t know that it’s important to wash and dry them with the brushes facing down! Very important tips 🙂 Off to the bathroom now!!
Thanks for sharing and have a great day!
Stella
http://www.stellaasteria.com
Honestly this is how I wash my brushes as well! But of course, I need to push myself into doing it as often as possible, but you know , most of the time, um, I just forgot!
xx Margaret
http://www.maleemaleehong.com
Great post dear 😉
http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com
Oh I didn’t know that about drying the bristles down! Great tip! I very good about washing mine, but will take your advice about drying <3 x
http://www.chevronsandeclairs.com/blog
This will be in handy the next time I clean them. Very detailed with clear pictures. Great tips!
http://www.busyandfab.com
Thank you so much for these tips Chriselle! 🙂 Haha I know what you mean – even though I know I have to clean my brushes, sometimes, I just feel so lazy, but I also know that my skin will definitely protest if it comes in to contact with all of the building bacteria in the bristles! Do you think it’d be possible to do a version for sponges/puffs/beauty blenders? I think those are a little more difficult to clean, given the material they’re made of, so any tips would be much appreciated! <3
XO, Elizabeth
http://clothestoyouuu.com/
Such a great post, and so essential to healthy skin! I am always having trouble with my brushes, and I am definitely using your advice tonight!
xoxo
http://theindiegirl.com/indiegirlblog/romanholiday/vipme
This is a good reminder that I need to wash my brushes!
http://www.petiteandhungry.com
I use makeup cleanser/face soap bar to wash my brushes, but i think i gotta go get myself some baby shampoo. Face cleanser is too expensive for cleaning makeup brushes!
Especially since im quite a germaphobe and i cleanse my brushes once a week or like once every 2 weeks if i dont use them all the time.
x Carina
Blog-Running White Horses || YouTube
Great tips!
LIVING IN PLAID – Personal Style Blog from Brussels
Thanks for reminding me! *flips ’em upside down* 😀
xx
Lauren
http://www.shoesandsashimi.com
Great tips, Chriselle! It’s also a reminder for me to clean my make-up brushes now 🙂 Thank you! xo, sharon
http://www.stylelullaby.com
Love these tips!! Thank you 🙂
XOXO, Ashley
http://reasyume.com
Haha, it has been shamefully too long! But you have inspired me 🙂
It definitely an easy task that is looked over! Thank you for reading. xoxo
Great post, such useful tips! I’m always having hard time when it comes to cleaning brushes and eventually proper skin care!
http://www.sanssouci.website
I know what you mean! It sometimes feels like a chore! xoxo
It has definitely been WAY too long and I keep meaning to do it but…life. I wouldn’t have thought to use baby shampoo and I definitely have that lying around so I know what I will be doing this weekend!! Thanks!
Allison / Joy and Ivy
http://www.joyandivy.com
It is a perfect hack! It is so gentle. Thank you for reading. xoxo
I have to admit I don’t always clean my brushes as regularly as I should…#GUILTY. Thanks for the reminder!
xx Cindy
http://www.whenindoubtblog.com
I feel as if everyone has this issue! It is easily overlooked! Thank you for reading. xoxo
Cleaning my brushes regularly gotta be my biggest vice 🙂
http://www.ofsilkandsatin.com
I post every Monday and Thursday, I would love it if you checked out my blog!
That’s awesome, Sophie! I wish I could be more like that. xoxo
Cool!
Shall We Sasa
Thank you, Sasa! Have a great day. xoxo
Clean makeup brushes are a must for me. I use a silicone brush cleaning mat that I got for under $4 from Amazon instead of my palm. I posted about it on my blog!
I’m glad you can relate to this post! Thank you for reading! xoxo
I always try to keep my makeup brushes clean since I have acne prone skin and the feeling of bacteria on my face also makes me shiver. I usually use a glycerine soap but I feel like that might be a little too harsh on my brushes. I think I’ll try baby shampoo then 🙂
I totally know what you mean! The bacteria that stays on makeup brushes is not a comforting thought. The baby shampoo is gentle enough for skin and the brush! xoxo
Really nice tips on how to clean brushes! It is sometimes forgotten but it’s so necessary!
Marta
http://www.martamademoiselle.com
Thank you! I’m glad you liked the tips. xoxo
So happy you made this post. I have never cleaned my makeup brushes thoroughly because it just seems hard and time consuming. But, with this it seems easy, especially with a cost-effective baby shampoo! Great tip to wash them facing down and same with drying 🙂 Saved this!
http://www.dressupchowdown.com
I’m so glad you can use the tips in this post! It really is quick and almost relaxing activity knowing that your brushes are all clean. xoxo
Excellent points and tips on the cleansing of these brushes, it is most of the time overlooked, but it is very important to clean it properly. Merci for the sweet tips as always! 🙂
La Bijoux Bella | by mia
It is so important! Thank you for reading, Mia! xoxo
Great tips, I need to get better at washing my brushes. I always forget.
||D I A N A||
http://www.TheNeonFactor.com
I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. Thank you for reading. xoxo
Oh wow it’s actually way easier than I thought! I have never actually washed my makeup brushes (shame on me!) but instead just use them for awhile then toss them. This is so useful, I’m going to do this…probably like right now haha
It will save you a lot of money in the long run so you don’t have to buy anymore brushes! xoxo
I love doing my make up but I got to admit that I really struggle with keeping my brushes clean and cleaning them
So thank you for this motivational post. Need to start doing this straight away 🙂
xx
http://mariannelle.com/
I’m so glad this post can be helpful for you! Have a good day. xoxo
Hi chriselle Yes , it’s very important to clean brushes make-up!! I always do it with my shampoo twice a week!
Xoxo M.
I’m glad that you do this already! Thank you for reading! xoxo
I’m guilty of not cleaning my brushes enough! I need to remember to hang them upside down to dry instead of laying them flat!
Polly
http://gemsandjoy.com
That is a good idea so they keep their shape! Thank you for reading, Polly. xoxo