Makeup Brush Cleaning - Some "Dos" and "Don'ts"

How often do you clean your makeup brushes? I just washed mine but it had been far too long! My husband has long ago taught me the value of keeping things clean and in good condition helps them to last longer! (Not that I wasn’t doing this before, but he’s the pro!).

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Everybody has a favorite makeup brush, am I right? If not, make sure to join my deal group and let me know you’re looking! I often find discount codes on them. (Join here). If you don’t have a favorite set of brushes, I love this Eco Tools set! Well priced, work great, and cruelty free!

How often should we clean them?

So, how often should we be cleaning our makeup brushes? A quick google search says once a week is ideal to clean them. Wow! I am definitely not on top of it like that, but I have learned a few things trying to keep mine clean.

Wait, why do I even need to worry about keeping them clean?

Keeping makeup brushes clean is super important! Not only can makeup buildup in the brushes be irritating to our skin, but it can also be a breeding ground for bacteria! Even in my 30s I get the occasional breakout, so I try to do everything I can to avoid them when possible.

How do you clean your makeup brushes?

I’m definitely not a pro! But, I have learned a few things and I’m happy to share!

First, you need a good makeup brush cleaner. Harsher cleaners can mess with the bristles and ruin your makeup brushes even faster. There are some good reviews I found on using Dawn Dish Soap and Olive Oil, but it was easier for me personally to just get a cleaner that I knew was safe. There are all sorts of price points out there, but of course I tried to get the best deal.

I’ve been very happy with this one! I also use very little of it at a time so it’s lasted me quite a while! (I bought it 2 years ago and still have quite a bit left… maybe I should clean my brushes more!). In fact, the packaging has changed since I bought mine, but the soap is the same!

Next, a silicone cleaning tool is super helpful to get the makeup out of the bristles without ruining the brush! I currently have one very similar to this one. You can hold it with one hand and the brush with the other. I like it and think it works well. I recently also saw this silicone mat! The cool thing about is that you can just lay it in the bottom of the sink and you don’t have to hold it.