Brush Up: My Guide to Cleaning Your Make-Up Brushes Properly
Let’s be honest – if you’re not cleaning your make-up brushes regularly, you could be sweeping bacteria and grime across your skin every single day. Brushes pick up more than just product; they hold on to oil, dirt and dead skin, all of which can lead to breakouts, blocked pores, and even infections in more serious cases.
I know that keeping your brushes clean isn’t just about hygiene – it’s about better performance, longer-lasting tools, and healthier skin overall.
Why Cleaning Your Brushes Matters
When product builds up in your brushes, the bristles become stiff and less effective, making blending a struggle and your finish less polished. Clean brushes give you a smoother application, truer colour payoff, and a lot more precision.
It also helps extend the life of your tools. Take care of them, and your brushes can serve you well.
How Often Should You Clean Your Brushes?
As a rule of thumb, any brush that regularly touches your face should be cleaned once a week. It might feel like a faff at first, but if you’ve got sensitive or acne-prone skin, it’s a real game-changer.
Brushes used for eye make-up can be cleaned a little less frequently – around every two weeks – unless you’re changing shades often, in which case it’s best to do a quick rinse between uses to avoid colour contamination.
What Should You Use to Clean Make-Up Brushes?
Synthetic brushes are a little more forgiving than natural fibres, which means you can use a more thorough cleanser – especially for those that get heavy use with liquid or cream products.
Here’s what we recommend:
-
Washing-up liquid (eco-friendly if you can) – ideal for breaking down stubborn foundation, concealer or lipstick residue.
-
Castile soap – a gentler but still effective option if you want something a bit softer.
Whichever cleanser you go for, just make sure you rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of soap.
The Right Way to Clean Your Brushes
Here’s my step-by-step guide:
-
Dampen the bristles with warm water, keeping the handle and ferrule (the metal bit) as dry as possible.
-
Place a drop of cleanser into the palm of your hand.
-
Gently swirl the brush into the cleanser, working the product through the bristles with your fingers if needed.
-
Rinse under warm water until it runs clear.
-
Gently squeeze out the excess water using a clean towel or kitchen roll.
-
Lay your brushes flat to dry, ideally with the handles propped up slightly so the bristles point down – this helps prevent water from seeping into the base and loosening the glue.
When to Replace a Make-Up Brush
Even with the best care, brushes don’t last forever. If the bristles are fraying, the brush has lost its shape, or it's shedding constantly, it’s probably time to let it go. No amount of washing will fix a worn-out brush – and using damaged tools can affect your skin and your make-up results.
A Clean Finish
Clean brushes are the foundation (no pun intended) of any good skincare and make-up routine. They apply better, feel nicer, and keep your complexion clearer. Make brush cleaning a weekly habit – your skin, your products, and your make-up game will all thank you for it.
Otis x
Fresh make-up brushes. Happy skin. Flawless finish. That’s how we do it.
