If there’s one thing in your makeup routine you probably don’t do enough of, it’s washing your brushes. Sure, some people probably do it once every week or two, but when did you last do it? Last month? Last year? Never?
Whilst washing your brushes feels like a lot of effort for little reward, not doing so frequently can not only damage the brushes themselves, but can also have a negative impact on your skin.
So, if reading this has reminded you to pick up your brush cleaner again, or if you’re looking for a new routine, here are my dos and don’ts.
Do:
• Wash your brushes as frequently as you can. It’s recommended to do this weekly, however if you wear makeup less often, this may not be needed.
• Wet the brushes with warm water before applying any soap to loosen makeup residue.
• Apply your soap or cleanser to the bristles. Whilst you can get specific makeup brush cleaners or shampoos, like the MAC Brush Cleaner or the Blendercleanser Solid Lavender Sponge & Brush Cleanser, they’re not completely necessary. I like to use a gentle shampoo, but you can also use antibacterial soap!
• Clean smaller brushes together. Whilst cleaning face brushes may require some elbow grease, small eye brushes or concealer brushes can be washed together to save time.
• Ensure that the brush is totally clean before leaving it to dry. Though it can sometimes take a while, especially for larger or more dense brushes, it’s important to continue swirling it in your palm or on a cleansing mat like the Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove until the water comes out clear – not coloured, milky or soapy.
• After squeezing out the excess water, dry your brushes upside down, or laying flat.
• Leave your brushes an adequate amount of time before using them again. I like to leave mine laying flat overnight with the bristles hanging off the edge of a counter or chair, checking them and reshaping them when I can.
Don’t:
• Use too harsh of a soap when washing your makeup brushes. Though it doesn’t seem like they require much care, brushes can be expensive – you don’t want to ruin them!
• Dunk your brushes in water completely to clean them. Whilst, of course, it’s OK to get the brush bristles wet, submerging the entire brush can loosen the glue and cause the bristles to fall out.
• Dry your brushes vertically. Though it may seem easy to clean them up and then throw them right back in your brush holder or case, this is another surefire way to damage the handle and loosen the bristles.
• Be too aggressive when cleaning them. Makeup applies best with clean, soft brushes – not spiky, misshapen ones!
Cassidy Pearce
Cassidy Pearce is a news and entertainment journalist with The Western Weekender. A graduate of the University of Technology Sydney, she has previously worked with Good Morning Macarthur and joined the Weekender in 2022.