How do you clean your makeup brushes and how often?

WikiWombatWhisperer783
09/15/24 7:31pm
Full disclosue I have never cleaned any of my makeup brushes. I know it's gross, don't judge me. I recently heard it's really bad to never clean your brushes and can cause infections so I want to get better about cleaning my makeup brushes but I'm not sure how to start. What do you do to clean them? How often are you supposed to clean them or replace them? Thank you in adnvace!

WikiNarwhalWatcher458
09/16/24 8:28am
Rinse your makeup brushes under running water, then swirl them in a bowl full of water with a few drops of gentle shampoo. Rub the soapy water into the bristles. Alternate cleaning and rinsing until the water runs clear, then gently squeeze out the excess water and lay your brushes flat on a clean towel to air dry.
WikiGopherLeaper245
09/16/24 9:41am
You can also use a dish soap like dawn. I use it to clean my beauty blenders too and it works great.
WikiChinchillaJammer673
09/16/24 3:53pm
That;s sounds easy thanks. how often do you do it
wikiHow Expert
Tymia Yvette
Tymia Yvette
Makeup & Lash Artist
09/17/24 12:19pm
Keep your personal brushes and tools sanitized by cleaning them weekly with alcohol and brush cleanser. If you want to be more stringent, clean them after each use. Make sure you're cleaning any other tools you use besides your brushes. For instance, to clean a lash curler, wipe down the rubber pad on the lash curler and metal surfaces with a cotton pad saturated in 70% isopropyl alcohol. Don't just spray alcohol on the lash curler as you may not fully sanitize the tool.
Anonymous WikiBandicoot
Anonymous WikiBandicoot
11/14/24 9:10pm
Ouch! I never thought about cleaning my eyelash curler. Mine is at least 10y/o. 😬
All I've ever done is to scrape off the old mascara before I'd use it. I guess that I'm lucky that I never suffered from an eye infection.
WikiEagleDiver276
09/17/24 5:14pm
Also keep in mind that unless your brushes are high quality AND you're cleaning them on the regular, you'll probably need to replace them every year or two. If this is the first time you're cleaning your brushes, no offense but unless they're still relatively new I'd just buy brand-new ones and start over, and I'd try to clean them more often this time
Anonymous WikiBandicoot
Anonymous WikiBandicoot
11/14/24 9:17pm
I have a different opinion. Just clean your old, dirty brushes. If a brush doesn't survive being cleaned, replace that brush. If an old dirty brush survives the cleaning process, why would you need to replace it?

If you have multiple brushes that don't survive being cleaned, it might be cheaper to buy a set.
Rat 2
11/19/24 6:56am
you are putting SO much dead skin cells back onto your face oh my god????
Anonymous WikiLion
Anonymous WikiLion
12/13/24 11:51pm
I typically clean mine about once a week and I replace them if they are getting ruined or about once every year. Hope this helps :)

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Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
Do not share your makeup or makeup brushes with others! They could have germs and diseases you aren't aware of and you could contract them.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
Try soaking your brushes in some makeup remover that isn’t too strong. Don’t soak them for too long though.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
You might need to clean your brushes twice or more to get all the makeup off. Just be patient.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
Always lay your makeup brushes flat to dry. This way they will keep their shape and it will prevent liquid from getting into the barrel of the brush.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
Be careful you don't get alcohol or soap into the barrel of the brush! This can loosen the bristles and ruin your brush.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
Witch hazel and grapefruit oil are great for cleaning your makeup brushes. I mix them together in a one-to-one ratio and lightly spray my brushes with the mixture, then I pat down the brushes with a dry paper towel.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
Dish water and alcohol may technically clean your brushes, but they can also leave them feeling brittle, so be sure to rinse and dry your brushes immediately after using these products.