And if you’ve ever found yourself wondering how to wash your makeup brushes so that they stay perfect forever? Well, you’ve come to the right place.
I have more makeup brushes than I know what to do with, and I wash them CONSTANTLY. There is no greater expert on their care and maintenance than me.
I have tried every potion, machine, and magical spell that promises to make your brushes gleam. But even though I’ve tested them all, there’s a very simple way to clean your brushes that turns out to be the best.
Here’s how to clean all your makeup brushes — and your beautyblenders, too, because I love you — quickly, easily, and for cheap.
As with most things in beauty, there’s no one way to clean your brushes. I personally think my cleaning method is really good, because most of these brushes have lasted me for YEARS. At least two of these brushes are 14 years old, and are still in absolutely immaculate condition!
Though I mostly have synthetic brushes now, there are still a few natural hair brushes in my kit. These guys require special cleaning, as the bristles tend to be more delicate.
The shampoos to watch out for and NOT use: Anything that deposits color (like purple shampoo), anything medicated to treat dry scalp, and anything clarifying. Otherwise, you’ll probably be fine.
Source: My 14 year old brushes, which are still perfect, and have never been hung upside down.
Synthetic brushes, when when they’re very fluffy and soft, tend to be quite durable. BUT they tend to soak up product and the bristles can stain really easily, so they require a different cleaning method.
Enter the oil cleanser.
Full disclosure: I do not like to use the Urban Decay cleansing oil stick ($13, Sephora) on my face, because it stings my eyes. But when it comes to cleaning brushes, there is NOTHING better.
It’s solid, which makes it easy to use.
Because it’s an oil, it removes EVERYTHING, including tricky stuff like dried gel eyeliner, from every bristle of your brushes.
It lasts forever – I’ve been using this stick every other week since last summer, and I’m nowhere near the end.
And most importantly, it rinses completely clean. No residue, no mess.
And as everyone knows, these are the HARDEST brushes to clean, because those products stick to everything.
Take care of your beauty tools, and they’ll take care of you.
