You might have heard that you can use shampoo for cleaning makeup brushes. While this is true, it's important to choose the right shampoo.
Step 1: Rinse Bristles With Warm Water
At the sink, hold the brush under warm water. Keep the handle out of the stream to avoid damaging the glue that attaches the bristles to the base.
Step 2: Add Shampoo
Apply a drop or two of baby shampoo or a gentle shampoo. Rich shampoos can leave a residue on the bristles, which will weigh them down. Alternatively, use a makeup brush shampoo specifically formulated for this purpose.
Step 3: Massage Bristles
To create a lather, place the bristles in the palm of one hand, and use your fingers to work the shampoo into them.
Step 4: Rinse and Condition
Rinse the bristles under water until there's no longer any pigment or shampoo streaming from them, and the water is running clear. Squeeze out the remaining moisture. Add a touch of hair conditioner to moisturize the bristles and rinse again.
Step 5: Reshape and Dry
Squeeze out the remaining moisture, reshape the bristles into their original form, and dry flat on a clean towel.
How to Care for Brushes When Not in Use
Your makeup brushes will last longer if you store them correctly when not in use. "Store your brushes in a closed container to prevent pollutants like dust and dirt from landing on the bristles and eventually onto your skin," Tanzi says. Some options for where to keep brushes:
In a clean makeup bag or pencil case with other clean brushes.
In an acrylic makeup organizer.
When to Replace Your Makeup Brushes
Well-made makeup brushes that are washed consistently and dried properly can last many years. Signs that they're ready to be tossed include:
Bristles that keep falling out
Foul odors
Frayed bristles
Bristles that can't be reshaped
Gunkiness that won't come out with cleaning
"A set of high-quality makeup brushes should be considered an investment," says makeup artist Michiko Boorberg. "Treat your tools with respect by cleaning and caring for them properly, and they will last a very long time."
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean liquid products off makeup brushes and sponges?
With a brush used to apply liquid foundation or other wet products, clean it after every use. You can use the regular washing technique outlined above, but there are also a few quick solutions for in-between proper cleanings. Here are some options to help dissolve pigments, oil buildup, and dead skin cells:
Wipe makeup brushes down with a makeup-removing towelette. See our recommended eye makeup removers for our favorite brand of towelettes.
Spritz them with a rinse-free spray cleanser, like Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner Spray.
Rinse under a stream of warm water.
Use the same process to clean a Beauty Blender. When thoroughly rinsing with water, you'll want to squeeze them throughout the cleansing process to ensure all liquid product has been removed.
How do I clean eyeshadow brushes between colors?
When creating a multi-color eye look, cleaning your eyeshadow brush between every color doesn't make sense. Fortunately, there's a tool for that. Alison Raffaele Tatem, a makeup artist based in New York City, says you can swipe your brush against a textured sponge to remove powder between shades.
"The rough consistency of the sponge will remove pigment from your bristles so you can switch palettes without having to switch brushes," she says.
How can I clean makeup brushes fast?
If you're looking for a shortcut, you have a few automated options, like a makeup brush sanitizer. However, keep in mind that a sanitizer is not a permanent replacement for washing your brushes. It's still crucial to manually wash them regularly, but a sanitizer can help reduce bacteria between washings.