Cleaning Makeup Brushes: A Detailed Process
In the bustling city of New York, makeup artist Alicia D'Angelo shares her insights on a crucial aspect of makeup application – cleaning makeup brushes.
Why Cleaning Makeup Brushes Matters
Using dirty makeup brushes can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Brushes used to apply foundation and concealer are the most prone to bacteria. This is why it's essential to clean your brushes regularly to maintain skin health and keep old product out of current looks.
A Simple Cleaning Routine
To clean makeup brushes at home, wet the bristles with warm water (avoiding the ferrule), apply soap or a brush cleanser, and gently swirl the brush in a circular motion while using your fingers to clean between the bristles. Rinse thoroughly, squeeze out excess water without pulling the bristles, reshape them, and let the brushes air dry flat in a clean, warm place.
Deep Cleaning and Sanitizing
Makeup brushes should be deep cleaned once a week. This process involves creating bubbles by swirling the brushes in a cleaning solution, rinsing thoroughly, and laying the brushes out to dry after use. For a deeper clean, spray the brushes with rubbing alcohol after use.
Sanitizing makeup brushes daily is also recommended to keep them germ- and bacteria-free. This can be achieved by wiping the handles and ferrule with 70% alcohol.
Additional Tips
- If thick makeup requires it, shampoo the brush again.
- Olive oil or coconut oil can be added to the cleaning solution if using oil-based products.
- Clean your brushes whenever you apply different colored products to prevent discoloration in your makeup look.
- Avoid using heat to dry your brushes.
- Hang the tip of your washed brush off the edge of a counter or table to dry.
- Put a clean towel down to catch any extra moisture from the brushes.
- Squeeze out excess water from the brush before drying.
Popular Homemade Cleaning Solutions
A popular homemade cleaning solution is mixing dish soap with olive oil in equal parts. Another simple method uses Dawn dish soap with a brush cleaning mat for effective scrubbing.
Reader-Approved Guide
This comprehensive guide has been co-authored by Alicia D'Angelo and Aly Rusciano. It has been viewed 1,498,373 times and is reader-approved, having received 25 testimonials and 100% of readers finding it helpful.
Last updated on August 12, 2025, this guide emphasizes the importance of maintaining clean makeup brushes for a healthier and more beautiful complexion.
[1]: Source for cleaning instructions and homemade solutions [2]: Source for regular spot cleaning tips [3]: Source for Dawn dish soap and brush cleaning mat method
- Maintaining clean makeup brushes is crucial for skin health, as dirty brushes can lead to clogged pores and breakouts, especially with brushes used for foundation and concealer.
- To clean makeup brushes at home, a simple routine involves wetting the bristles with warm water, applying soap or brush cleanser, and gently swirling the brush in a circular motion while cleaning between the bristles, followed by rinsing, reshaping, and air drying flat in a clean, warm place.
- For a deeper clean, makeup brushes should be deep cleaned once a week by creating bubbles with a cleaning solution, rinsing, and laying the brushes out to dry after use, and sanitizing daily with 70% alcohol.
- In addition, some tips for cleaning makeup brushes include avoiding heat to dry them, hanging the tip off an edge to dry, and adding olive oil or coconut oil to the cleaning solution if using oil-based products.
- A popular homemade cleaning solution is a mixture of dish soap and olive oil in equal parts, or Dawn dish soap used with a brush cleaning mat for effective scrubbing, as suggested in this reader-approved guide co-authored by Alicia D'Angelo and Aly Rusciano, which has been viewed over 1.4 million times.
