Makeup Brush Maintenance: When Should I Clean My Makeup Brushes?

In order to keep your make-up brushes in great condition, you must take care of them. That means cleaning them correctly on a regular basis.

Make up brushes should be cleaned approximately every 2-3 months. They should be thoroughly cleansed with a brush cleaner, or you can try using a clarifying shampoo. If you have sensitive skin, you can even try using your facial cleanser, since it will be less harsh on your skin when you use them again. I like Japonesque’s Makeup Brush Cleaner. A very gentle all-natural dish soap will work too.

After cleansing, make sure to reshape the brushes immediately to avoid ruining them. Then let them air dry.

See, it isn’t that hard to keep your brushes in mint condition! Cleansing and maintaining them this way doesn’t promise that the brushes will last a lifetime, but it will definitely keep them working longer.

Other Tips:

• Make sure each brush you use has its own specific job. For example, don’t use a shadow brush for both dark and light colors. Have a separate brush for each. If you use both wet (this includes cream and liquid) and dry eyeshadow, have one brush assigned to wet and one for dry. This will help extend “brush-life” and will also help you when applying make-up, since it decreases any streaks of dark in your lighter colors.
• Make sure brushes are clean after every use, just by tapping off all the eyeshadow, powder or anything that might be left on it. If you used it for a wet shadow, wipe of excess with a damp cloth or tissue.
• Store your brushes in a safe place to avoid ruining bristles. Consider investing in a cute carrying case. This will help insure that your brushes are being squished under things in your make up bag, and the bristles won’t be funky when you take it out.