This is your reminder to clean your makeup brushes!

Every time you use them, your brushes pick up oil, old makeup and bacteria, and then they go right back on your face. Yikes!

Keeping your makeup brushes clean is essential for maintaining healthy skin and achieving a great makeup application.

Dirty brushes can harbor bacteria, oil, and old makeup residue, which can lead to breakouts and uneven coverage.

Here’s a step-by-step process for washing your makeup brushes effectively. Just remember to always lay them flat to dry! Drying them upright can weaken the glue that holds the base onto the handle and keep the base of the bristles from drying all the way.

Here’s the quick version: wet just the bristles with warm water, swirl them in a little mild soap on your palm or a textured cleaning mat, rinse until the water runs clear, gently squeeze out the extra water, reshape the bristles and lay the brushes flat to dry. Aim for once a week, or at least once a month if you only wear makeup now and then.

Why Should You Wash Your Makeup Brushes?

Before we get to the cleaning process, here’s why it’s so important to wash your makeup brushes regularly:

1. Prevent Breakouts: By removing dirt, oil, and bacteria from your brushes, you reduce the risk of clogging your pores and developing acne or other skin irritations.
2. Ensure Smooth Application: Clean brushes allow for better color application and smoother blending, resulting in more even and professional-looking makeup.
3. Extend Brush Lifespan: Regular cleaning helps maintain the shape and quality of your brushes, ensuring they last longer.

Step-by-Step Guide to Washing Your Makeup Brushes

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

• Mild shampoo, cleanser, or brush cleanser. I often just use my all-natural hand soap or Dr. Bronner’s tea tree liquid soap. You can also use a special brush cleaner if you’d like.
• Warm water
• A clean hand towel or paper towels

Step 2: Wet the Bristles

• Begin by running warm water over the bristles of your brush, making sure to avoid wetting the handle or ferrule (the metal part that connects the bristles to the handle).

Step 3: Apply Cleanser

• Squeeze a small amount of mild shampoo or brush cleanser onto your palm or a textured cleaning mat. Textured cleaning mats are great to help scrub your brushes (I’ve used this one, and I’m currently using the one below in the next step.)

Step 4: Gently Cleanse

• Swirl the bristles of your brush in circular motions on your palm or cleaning mat. This will help remove any product buildup and ensure a thorough cleanse.
• I’ve been using this handy makeup brush cleaning tool that spins and has a textured mat built into the bottom to speed up the cleaning process. It’s optional, but it makes quick work of it (and it’s fun, too!):

Here’s a cheaper option:

Step 5: Rinse

• Rinse the bristles under warm water until all soap residue is gone. Be sure to keep the brush pointing downwards to prevent water from seeping into the ferrule.

Step 6: Squeeze Out Excess Water

• Gently squeeze the bristles with your fingers to remove excess water. Avoid pulling on the bristles, as this can cause damage.

Step 7: Reshape and Dry

• Reshape the bristles by gently tapping them against a clean towel or paper towels.
• Then, lay your brushes flat on a clean surface and allow them to air dry completely before using them again.
  Always lay them flat! That will allow the water to completely dry from them instead of getting stuck at the base. Water pooling at the base can weaken the glue holding your brushes together.

Step 8: Clean Your Makeup Bag

Now it’s time to clean your makeup bag, too.

How Often Should You Clean Your Makeup Brushes?

Ideally, you should aim to clean your makeup brushes at least once a week. However, I know most people don’t do that. If you’re an occasional makeup wearer, then wash them at least once a month.

If you use your brushes daily or apply liquid products like foundation or concealer, it’s best to wash them more frequently. Regular cleaning will help maintain the integrity of your brushes and ensure optimal performance.

Here’s a link to all of my brush cleaning items:

Makeup Brush Cleaning FAQs

Can you clean makeup brushes with dish soap?

You can. A gentle dish soap is great at cutting through oily products like liquid foundation and concealer. Use just a drop and rinse really well. Mild shampoo or a plain liquid hand soap works too, and that’s what I reach for most of the time.

How long do makeup brushes take to dry?

Small brushes usually dry in a few hours, while big, dense brushes (like foundation and kabuki brushes) can take overnight. Make sure they’re completely dry before you use them, and keep laying them flat so water doesn’t settle at the base.

How do you clean makeup brushes without a mat?

Your palm works perfectly. Put a little soap in your hand and swirl the bristles in small circles until the suds look clean, then rinse. A mat just makes it faster when you have a lot of brushes to get through.

Taking care of your makeup brushes is an essential part of any healthy beauty routine. By following these simple steps for washing your brushes, you can keep them clean, prolong their lifespan, and get smoother makeup application every time. Remember, healthy skin starts with clean tools! If you want to keep things simple, here’s my 3-minute makeup routine and my 80/20 rule with beauty products.