How To Clean Makeup Brushes and More

We’ve all been guilty of this one for those of us who use makeup. Whether it’s brushes, sponges, powder puffs and beyond. Not cleaning or not knowing how to clean makeup brushes and the other beauty applicators we use. This is probably one of the main contributing factors to unwanted spots on your face.

Why is it Important To Clean Makeup Brushes?

Just taking dirt and germs alone into consideration is enough to make sure you’re washing your makeup brush. If your brushes, sponges, rollers and plethora of beauty applicators are dirty. Every time you use them, you’re adding germs and bacteria to your face. This could be adding to your pimple and spot problems more than you think.

If you’re using an applicator from say, a concealer, you could be transporting those germs and bacteria to your makeup product. This becomes a vicious cycle of the applicator, to face and to product cross-contamination. Spreading germs and bacteria everywhere. This can lead to blackheads, spots and irritation. Not forgetting you may be using these products, brushes or applicators near your eyes, nose and mouth, urgh!

It Damages Your Brushes

Not only is it unhealthy and potentially damaging to your skin because of the germs. Not knowing how to clean your makeup brushes or just choosing not to will damage your brushes. By leaving the product on them to dry and then to flake. To then have more product be caked and dried again? Bristles will begin to clog and bunch together which over time will render them unusable.

Sponges that aren’t regularly cleaned will hold old product not allowing for a new product to be absorbed properly. Meaning you’ll be mixing products or mixing old and new. Your sponges will soon start to rip and fall apart because of the build-up. Not taking proper care of your beauty equipment will never end well!

What Should I Clean?

• All Brushes
• All Sponges
• Powder Puffs/ Compress Puffs if you’re actively using them
• Jade Rollers
• Pots and Storage
• Towels, Flannels or any other material.

You want to clean anything and everything that comes into contact with your face. It really is that simple as it will stop the spread of germs. Wash out any old product that may stain or damage your items and keep them fresh. You should wash your sponges, brushes and puffs regularly. Preferably after each use to stop the spread of any germs or bacteria to any of your products or more importantly your actual face.

Don’t forget to give your storage a once a week clean to get rid of germs and makeup. This is just as important as the brushes themselves as they’re store there! You don’t want to be picking up dust, old makeup crumbs or bacteria on your clean brushes.

Is It Time to Replace?

You should aim to replace sponges every three months. This is due to the absorbent nature of the sponge even after cleaning it. If you’re using a product to clean your sponges this too, along with water, will build up in the centre of the sponge and can lead to mould and all kinds of gross stuff. It is super important to replace these pretty regularly.

Ideally, you want to wash brushes once they’ve come into contact with any makeup or beauty product. Again, stopping the spread of germs but also colour transfer from what is already on the brush. If the bristles begin to shed it’s time to replace them. You may find that discolouration has prompted you to ask if you need a new set? Eventually, most brushes need replacing. Other than that looking after your brushes well can make them last longer!

How To Clean Makeup Brushes When you Don’t Have the Product?

Straight off there is no need for expensive brush cleaners for your makeup brushes or beauty items. Using just your daily facial wash or even a gentle shampoo is enough. I use either my face wash or gentle baby shampoo to wash brushes and it’s never steered me wrong.

As mentioned above you really don’t need to spend tons of money on a cleaner. Some people like to spend that little extra on a cleaner and that’s great. It probably saves a little time but you don’t need it to clean your makeup brushes and other items. You can use a facial wash, a gentle and natural soap or even a gentle shampoo to clean your beauty items. Something that will melt down the product and allow you to rinse it out and your makeup removers you use daily will do this for you.

How To Clean Brushes

1. Fill a sink with warm water making sure it isn’t too hot as this can damage your brushes.
2. Dip your brushes into the water and soak the bristles well.
3. Add some cleaning solution to the water or you can add a small dot to each brush. If they need a really thorough clean this may be what you need. You can even add a small amount to the palm of your hand.
4. Gently massage the brush until it has a good lather. Make sure to not pull the bristle and damage them it’s a very gentle squeezing motion to loosen product build-up.
5. Rinse the bristles in clean water. Repeatedly if you need to make sure ALL of the old product is gone.
6. Squeeze your new, clean brushes. Then repeat with a towel being careful to only squeeze them. Rubbing with a towel could cause your bristle to splay and go everywhere.
7. Make sure you reshape your brushes if they’ve gone a little out of shape
8. Leave them to air dry preferably with air being able to circulate the bristles. Hanging over the edge of a window ledge is fine.

Cleaning Sponges

1. Soak your sponge well in lukewarm water.
2. Add your face wash.
3. Squeeze the sponge and build up a lather of face wash.
4. Rinse under clean water to make sure all the soap and product is gone.
5. Dry with a towel by, again, squeezing it well.
6. Again, leave to air dry.

The same principle of adding facial wash, gently massage and rinse can be applied to powder puffs, brushes, sponges, lip gloss or concealer wands. Any delicate applicators that you put on your face can be cleaned and dried this way.

All The Others?

For facial rollers, eyelash curlers, storage and containers you can use your facial wash on a damp cloth. Rinse the towel well and use it to remove any product that may be left. You can dry with a clean dry towel. Try to do this once a week minimally to minimise germs and bacteria. You can wash your towels as normal perhaps avoiding harsh detergents if you find this irritates your skin. Try a hand wash with your facial wash for towels used on your face.

What is the Benefit?

This may seem like a lot of work considering it’s just cleaning your makeup brushes and equipment. But the plus side has a lot of bonus’ such as better applied makeup. It’s the reason the brushes were purchased in the first place so they may as well be the best they can be.

It does stop the spread of bacteria, grime and germs which will make sure less is coming into contact with your skin. A decrease in blackheads and pimples may be more noticeable than you think. Plus your equipment will all last longer the best care you take of it. Nobody likes wasting money, do they? What is your cleaning technique? Or perhaps you have a go-to product you’d love to share? Let us know in the comments below or over on the ol’ Facebook.

Thank you so much for stopping by today and I hope this guide on how to clean your makeup brushes and other equipment helped you. Please give it share using the buttons below if it did.

Lots of Love,
Tahnee xxx