Cleaning make-up brushes and sponges: how to do it properly
Cleaning make-up brushes is a step that’s often skipped, yet it’s precisely this part that determines how pleasant your routine feels. Foundation, powder and skin oils build up between the bristles of your brushes and applicators. Each tool requires its own approach: a brush for liquid products reacts differently to cleaning than a powder brush, and a sponge requires yet another method than an eye brush. If you clean your make-up brushes properly, you’ll keep your tools in good condition for longer and ensure your application remains even.
- Brushes for liquid products need cleaning more often than those for powder products.
- A mild cleanser and lukewarm water are sufficient for brushes and sponges.
- Brushes dry best when laid flat, with the bristles not standing upright.
- Cleaning a beautyblender involves squeezing rather than wringing it out.
- Tears, discolouration or a lingering odour are signs that it’s time to replace your make-up tools.
Why is it important to clean make-up brushes regularly?
Foundation, Concealer, powder, facial oil and dust become trapped in the bristles of a brush, even if this isn’t visible to the naked eye. Clean make-up brushes apply make-up more evenly, keep colours true and feel more comfortable on the skin. A brush used for liquid products requires a different cleaning frequency to one that only comes into contact with powder, as liquid penetrates deeper into the bristles.
How often should you clean your make-up brushes?
Brushes for liquid and creamy products, such as Foundation or Concealer, need a thorough clean more often than brushes used exclusively for powder. Exactly how often this is necessary depends on the sensitivity of your skin, how often you use your brush and whether you use the same brush for multiple products. There’s no one-size-fits-all rule: usage and how it feels determine the frequency.
How to clean your make-up brushes step by step
Here’s how to clean your make-up brushes step by step:
- Wet the bristles with lukewarm water, taking care not to submerge the metal ferrule and handle for too long.
- Work a small amount of mild cleanser into the bristles and massage gently.
- Rinse until the water runs clear and gently squeeze excess moisture from the bristles, without wringing them.
- Then reshape the brush.
What can you use to clean make-up brushes safely?
A mild brush cleaner or gentle soap is usually suitable, depending on the brush material and the brand’s care instructions. For a quick clean between applications, a light wash is often sufficient, whilst a thorough clean with water is more suitable for regular, intensive use. Harsh household cleaners, such as washing-up liquid, are never a good choice, even for stubborn product residue.
What is the best way to dry make-up brushes?
Make-up brushes dry best when laid flat, or with the bristles pointing slightly downwards, so that water does not get into the ferrule and handle. This allows the bristles to lie freely and dry completely in the air. The heat from a hairdryer or a radiator, or drying the brush upright whilst it is still wet, will warp the bristles and shorten the brush’s lifespan.
How do you clean a make-up sponge or beauty blender?
Due to its porous structure, a make-up sponge requires a different cleaning method to a brush. Wet the sponge thoroughly and gently work a mild cleanser through the material. Squeeze the sponge repeatedly rather than pulling or twisting it, and rinse until no more product residue is released. Then leave the sponge to dry in a clean, well-ventilated place. Do not clean a damp beautyblender by leaving it to dry in an enclosed space, as this creates a breeding ground for bacteria.
How often should you clean and replace a make-up sponge?
With regular use, a make-up sponge requires more frequent cleaning than many brushes, as the liquid products used with a beauty blender often penetrate deeper into the fibres. You should replace a beautyblender as soon as it tears, becomes permanently discoloured, retains an unusual odour or can no longer be cleaned thoroughly.
What mistakes should you avoid when cleaning make-up tools?
There are a number of things you do whilst cleaning your make-up brushes that shorten the lifespan of brushes and sponges without this being immediately obvious:
- Submerging the entire brush, including the ferrule and handle.
- Using water that is too hot whilst cleaning.
- Wringing the bristles out too hard after rinsing.
- Not rinsing thoroughly enough, leaving cleaner residue behind.
- Storing damp tools in an airtight container.
- Using a brush before it is completely dry.
A clean make-up routine starts with well-maintained tools
Regularity, a gentle method of cleaning make-up brushes and careful drying together form the basis of well-maintained make-up brushes and sponges. Tools treated in this way are more pleasant to use, help apply make-up more precisely and stay in good condition for longer. This is why every make-up look starts with clean tools that have been looked after with care.
