Putting on makeup is fun. Playing in different colors, textures, and using different mediums. And then there’s the clean up. I can’t be the only person who dreads cleaning my makeup brushes. but I know that clean makeup brushes and tools are essential to any makeup artist or enthusiast for many reasons, which is why I’ve created this pictorial teaching you How to Clean your Makeup Brushes using Clean Brush Shampoo (review) and alcohol.
Why you should learn how to clean your makeup brushes
Not cleaning your makeup brushes are doing your skin, makeup and brushes a huge disservice. In order for your makeup brushes and tools to perform effectively, and apply your makeup flawlessly, they must be clean. Dirty brushes can lead to muddy looking, or streaky makeup. Dirty brushes can also lead to breakouts since they tend to harbor bacteria and dead skin cells. Additionally, if you’re a makeup artist, not keeping your brushes clean, and doing so in between clients can contaminate all of your makeup. Brushes, like anything else are also an investment, especially if you’re a makeup artist, so think of keeping them clean as protecting your investment. Dirty brushes do tend to lead to a shorter life expectancy for you brushes.
Things you need to clean your makeup brushes
First, you need a few items in order to clean your makeup brushes so make sure you have the following setup before hand.
Brush shampoo
70% Alcohol
Towel
Paper Towel
Now, let’s get to how to clean your makeup brushes
1. Wet the brush with lukewarm water with the brush head facing down.
Remember: Do not wet past the ferrule since continued saturation of the ferrule, overtime can cause the glue to weaken, thus leading to the brush head detaching from the handle.
2. Since I used Clean Brush solid brush shampoo, I also wet that, too.
3. Swirl the dirty brush around in the jar, and then on your hand for extra dirty brushes.
4. Rinse brush under lukewarm water until the water runs clear.
5. Gently squeeze out excess water.
6. Lie flat on towel to dry.
Usually, after my brushes are dry, I wet a paper towel with 70% alcohol, and then wipe down the brush handles. I think this is a crucial step for makeup artists.
I hope this pictorial has been helpful in helping you to learn how to clean your makeup brushes.
How often are you deep cleaning your brushes?
New York City makeup artist, beauty and mom blogger . I immensely enjoy helping myself and others feel beautiful inside and out, which is why I started this blog and my YouTube channel. If you have a beauty or makeup related question, contact me. Your question could be featured on the site! I also accept guest post submissions, check the guidelines.
***Brands and PR firms sometime provide press samples of products for review consideration. These brands are not guaranteed a review on Makeup by Kim Porter Blog, nor do we accept payment of any kind for our reviews. For more on our disclosure policies, please see my terms . 51 Comments on How to Clean your Makeup Brushes using Clean Brush Shampoo
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I've used clarifying shampoo on my brushes every once in awhile, not on a schedule just to keep them in shape!
That's good. How often you clean them depends on how often you're using them. There are instances when you should immediately wash your brushes like after using a creamy or glossy-like product, or even colored products like red lipstick or blush that can stain your brush.
I hate dirty make up brushes and I HATE having to clean them. It's like having to clean your dishes lol its annoying and the more you put it off the more work you have to do later. When I run out of brush cleaner I've been using baby shampoo lol I hope that its okay.
Baby shampoo is totally okay because it is gentle. You'll know if the soap you're using is too harsh if you notice your brushes bleed after washing.
Nice!!! I have some brush cleaner, but most of the time I just clean mine with Dawn.
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Sam Fine uses Dawn, too! It's great for getting rid of the heavier products off of your brushes like the highly pigmented lip tars or cream based product.
I clean my brushes after every use. I'm kind of nuts about it. lol
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that's good, Erika
Thank you for this post. I have never heard of the brush shampoo. I have not been wearing makeup lately. However, when I do , I clean them that night before I go to bed. I do not use a specific product. I have used Dove soap, Aveeno and Olive Oil to clean my brushes.
This brush shampoo is the bomb. Olive oil is good for removing the product, but it isn't optimal for removing bacteria.
I have a lot of brushes, so they tend to not get a lot of use between washings. I may use an eyeshadow brush once, and a foundation brush a handful of times before it gets cleaned. Usually, on Sundays, I have my cleaning session. I have been using Dr.Bronners castile liquid soap to clean my brushes, but I also just bought Cinema Secrets, which I also like.
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I think brushes used with powders can get cleaned, especially deep cleansed less often than the brushes used with cream and liquid products like foundations, concealer, etc. I'd clean my foundation, concealer, and lip brushes after every use.
I wash my brushes every single time. Not only do I worry about introducing bacteria to my skin, but my makeup application suffers with dirty brushes.
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Makeup application definitely suffers from dirty brushes. The makeup can look muddy or untrue to color, and the application can look streaky and uneven.
I use Cinema Secrets brush cleaner. Do I need to do an additional different type of cleaning? I clean my brushes with CS after each use by dipping the bristles into the cleaner and then doing a figure 8 on a towel and then they dry quickly. I need to start cleaning the handles the way you recommend (I only use my brushes on me). Thanks for sharing this!
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I use CS brush cleaner too. It's blue, right? I prefer to deep clean at least once per week because I feel spot cleaning doesn't really get the brushes clean. I think cleaning the handles is a good step because you're also removing any bacteria from the handles, which touch your hands, and we sometimes touch our faces during makeup application.
I wash my brushes as I use them. I haven't tried that brand of brush cleaning soap, but I'll put it on the list. I usually use liquid brush cleaner from Ulta or Burt's Bees Baby Shampoo
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I've used baby shampoo as well, especially when I've run out.
I wash my professional brushes at the end of each day, sanitizing them in between clients.
Great habit, Kendra.
I need to wash mine more… my daughter, who has the messiest room in the world, tells me my vanity needs cleaned up. So… yeah. LOL
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Ugh been there where dirty brushes messed up my skin! Thanks for this post, never did the alcohol wipe down though, must try that next time!
Really? That sucks. I hope it wasn't from a professional.
These are great tips, I pinned this post for future reference. This beauty newbie has yet to experiment with apply makeup with brushes but I'll definitely need to remember these for the future. My face is very sensitive to irritants and I'd hate to have to deal with a break-out.
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Thank you for pinning it 🙂
I am terrible at cleaning my brushes. I mean, it's bad. I'm lucky if I wash them every few months. I know. Awful. I'm trying to do better!
LOL One of my friends washes hers every few months, and then I told her to wash her brushes and see how her makeup application improves. She was shocked when she did try it out.
I needed to read this. It is reminding me I need to wash my brushes. I totally never thought about the using alcohol after. Good tip.
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I dread it too I've gone out and bought brushes to avoid it lol but hate the breakouts I get if I don't. I've used baby shampoo and Dawn but the alcohol is a good step too.
LOL OMG I've done the same thing.
I'm good about cleaning my brushes but I always find my foundation brushes so difficult to clean. I guess I need a solid cleanser.
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Not necessarily a solid cleaner, but maybe try something different? You can try olive oil first to remove the gunk, and then use dawn or another liquid soap.
HAHA I hear ya! I have just switched to solid cleanser too
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Oh which solid cleaners are you using?
I must confess that I'm terrible about cleaning my brushes, but I will be searching for that clean brush solid shampoo!
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This solid shampoo is the business. It comes in different scents too. My brushes are super soft after.
I should PROBABLY wash my brushes right about now…
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LOL are you not good with keeping up with cleaning your brushes?
I see some of my fav brushes!
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Oh nice! Which ones?
I try my best to wash my brushes every week or every 2 wks if laziness strike. Thanks for the tip
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I completely understand. That's why I have a ton of brushes, and sometimes I just let them pile up, and keep using other brushes until I run out. And then comes wash day when I regret the decision of waiting.
I need to try these Brush Shampoo… I use Perian spirit for spot cleaning and it takes a toll on my brushes.
I also use parian spirit for spot cleaning.
Very informative post. Are there any alternative brush cleaning solutions you recommend? Like a DIY solution?
DIY you can use olive oil to remove cream-based products; however, that doesn't get rid of the bacteria. There's a DIY spot brush cleaner you can make, too.
I swear you post stuff just when I need it.I just got some new brushes and I didn't want to use them for fear when when I clean them I would mess them up like my other ones.
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How were you cleaning them before? How did the other brushes mess up?
I deep clean once a week but I clean daily just to keep my brushes as clean as possible.
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That's a good routine.
I know how you feel about dirty brushes. Anyone who is an MUA or for personal use should take care of their brushes to promote healthy skin.
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