Tips for Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes

Cleaning makeup brushes is an important part of any makeup routine. Before you click away in shame after glancing over at you dirty brushes that haven’t been washed in months, hear us out. These easy tips will get your brushes clean and help improve your skin and makeup wear! 

At The KIND Collective, we craft vegan-friendly brushes with ethical bamboo handles. Since they’re developed and made with love, we want you to care for them with the same adoration. That’s why we’ve made this short and sweet guide on the questions we most commonly get asked on makeup brush care.

How often should I be cleaning my makeup brushes?

We’re just going to rip the Band-Aid off – you should be cleaning makeup brushes at least every two weeks. But don’t feel embarrassed, we’ve all been there where the weeks can drift into months... but it's never to late to get into a better routine.  

What are the benefits of cleaning my makeup brushes?

Cleaning makeup brushes isn’t only beneficial to their performance, but it’s also good for your skin. Makeup brushes collect excess product, oils, and bacteria with each use. This build-up can lead to clogged pores and breakouts, especially in the case of foundation brushes. That little extra effort can make a big difference in your skin’s radiance and clarity.

How do I clean my makeup brushes?

Cleaning makeup brushes probably isn’t at the top of your to-do list, and that’s okay. But it’s a short and easy task to pencil in once every fortnight that doesn’t have to be tiresome. Chuck on some music or your favourite podcast and clean away! Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean your makeup brushes thoroughly.

1. Clean with brush cleaner or shampoo

First, pump out your cleaner of choice into the palm of your hand. If you don’t want to go out and buy a dedicated brush cleaning product, that’s not an issue. Cleaning makeup brushes is just as easy with shampoo.

Move the makeup brush around in the liquid  in gentle circular motions, allowing the soap to seep out all the grime, bacteria and dirt in the brush. Wash your palm and the brush under warm running water, and repeat this step until the water runs clear, and no more makeup residue is being drawn out by the soap. 

If it’s your first time cleaning makeup brushes, you may need to do this a few times.

2. Dry your makeup brushes (properly)

After cleaning your makeup brushes, gently shake out any excess water they may be holding and squeeze out excess moisture by using a towel.

Lay your freshly clean makeup brushes out on a towel to dry, with the handle pointed slightly upwards. We don’t want any excess water getting into the handle and damaging the bamboo or ruining bristle alignment.

How long will it take to dry?

Drying time depends on the makeup brush. Little eyeshadow brushes can dry quite quickly (a couple of hours). Larger brushes including powder, foundation and multitasking brushes may need a longer amount of time to shed any moisture. Be patient, as makeup with wet brushes – that’s a recipe for a streaky look.

It’s best to set aside some time in the evening to clean all of your brushes, before going to bed. That way your brushes will be fresh and clean for your morning makeup application.

A good quality makeup brush will last its owner for years. However, if you notice your brush is shedding lots of bristles while cleaning or applying makeup, its time to change it. 

 

At The KIND Collective, we care about crafting quality beauty products to last a lifetime. Browse our beautiful bamboo makeup brushes to get your new lifelong set, or get in touch for assistance in choosing the perfect products for you. If you’re in need for a new travel friendly brush set, take a look at our On the Go Brush Set.