How to Clean your Makeup Brushes like a Pro

We use them all the time. For some of us, we use them on the daily, but when it comes time to clean them, it seems like a chore and it’s left on the bottom of the to-do list. Guilty and charge, I do the same thing, I know I should do better when it comes to my personal makeup brushes. So if you’re reading this, perhaps it’s a good reminder to all of us to wash our makeup brushes today😁. Washing your makeup brushes is essential for keeping them in good condition, flawless makeup application, and also for maintaining good skin hygiene. You’re probably thinking ” Rachel I hear what you’re saying, But how do I clean my makeup brushes like a pro” Don’t worry, I got you covered, just keep reading.

How often should you wash your makeup brushes

Before we jump ahead of ourselves, we should talk about how often do we really need to wash our makeup brushes. You might be surprised to find out, how long some people keep reusing their makeup brushes without washing them. I have heard others say six months (gross 🤢) and for some, they don’t remember the last time they washed their brushes. But I’m here to tell you that you need to wash your makeup brushes on the regular. Dirty brushes can breed bacteria within the bristles, which can cause a breakout.

For work, I wash my brushes every time, before using them on different people.

Since I have acne-prone skin. I wash my brushes more frequently than others. I thoroughly wash them once a week and sanitize them every day with a brush-cleansing spray.

If your thinking “girl, you must be crazy. I don’t have time to do that every day”. Well, it’s recommended that you should sanitize your brushes at least once a week and thoroughly was them once a month. Depending on your skin condition you may want to wash your makeup brushes more frequently, then the recommended guideline.

The best makeup brush cleaners

There are so many brush cleaners out there, it may be a bit confusing which one to pick. Here are some of my favourites that I’ve tried👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾. 

Another method that really works and I use it all the time, is washing your makeup brushes with Dish Soap (Down Dishingwashing soap) and Olive Oil. The best part is you already have these two ingredients in your house, so no excuses.

How should you clean your makeup Brushes?

Thoroughly cleaning your brushes

For a thorough clean, all you need is a gentle soap mixed with olive oil and water or your favorite brush cleaner.

  1. Wet the brush bristles with lukewarm water. ( don’t use hot water, it can damage your bristles and also burn you).
  2. Place a drop of brush cleanser of your choice into the palm of your hands and gently massage the bristles to remove all the makeup build-up.
  3. Rinse the bristles with clean water, gently squeeze the excess water out.
  4. Reshape the bristles and let it dry off the edge of the counter, by doing this, you are allowing it to dry in its correct shape.

A Quick Cleaning

For a quick day-to-day fix, spray a liquid brush cleanser into clean tissue/ paper towel. Then gently swirl or using the painting motion, move the brush back-and-forth over the paper towel. This gives you an intense wash and go.

Cleaning your brush handles

Most people don’t think about the handles of their makeup brushes. When working with your makeup brushes you’re also transferring germs and bacteria onto the handles. It’s really easy to clean, all you need is rubbing alcohol and a cotton pad. 

Squeeze a small amount of rubbing alcohol into the cotton pad, and rub it over the handles of your makeup brush. This process not only cleans but also disinfects your brush handles. Oh yeah!

How to Store your Brushes

Most people do their makeup in the bathroom, there’s nothing wrong with that. But it’s also common for most people to leave their makeup brushes in the bathroom. Oh though this may be convenient to most of us. But I’m here to tell you that’s a big no-no. Please, please, please do not store your makeup brushes in the bathroom. The bathroom is a perfect environment to encourage bacteria spread, cause of the damp environment. Like most people, I do my makeup every morning in the bathroom (That’s where the best light is in my house). When it comes to storing them, I store them in my office and some time in my Spare bedroom which is kinda like my walk-in closet. So pretty much, store your makeup brushes in a room that doesn’t have moisture.

I hope this wasn’t a long read..😊😊😊

Also, check out if you haven’t already Must have 6 makeup brushes for beginners


Cover photo by Samantha Hurley

body Photos by The Artistry Of Rachel

6 Comments

  • Tammy

    Wow great info thanks Rachel

  • Tammy

    Wow this article very helpful!!

  • Patrice

    Thanks for sharing! I didn’t even think about how storing them in the bathroom an be a bad idea….thanks for pointing that out!

    • Rachel Okot

      No problem, I know a lot of people store their makeup brushes in the bathroom. Because it’s just an easy access. But Yep it’s just a way for bacteria to grow in them faster.

  • Ouzzi

    Thanks for your tips, i wash my brushes with soap, i don’t like spending money on unnecessary products, i don’t know what they out in those cleaners,

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