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After a few weeks of using your makeup brushes, your face's natural oil, the makeup, and other dust and debris will start to build up. Cleaning the brushes from time to time keeps all that grime from getting transferred to your face, and it also makes the brush bristles softer and more effective. Read on for a simple method for cleaning makeup brushes.

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EditSteps

  1. Clean Makeup Brushes Step 1.jpg
    1
    Run the bristles of the brushes under lukewarm water. Avoid getting water underneath the metal clasp of the handle as this will ruin the glue that holds the bristles together. Keep running the water through the brushes until you've rinsed away most of the old makeup.
    • Make sure the brushes are angled downward into the stream of water. If water gets under the metal clasp of the handle, it may damage the brushes.
    • Don't use hot water, as the heat may damage the bristles.
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  2. Clean Makeup Brushes Step 2.jpg
    2
    Make a clarifying shampoo and water mixture. Place a teaspoon of shampoo in a cup with 1/4 cup of warm water. Quickly stir the mixture with a spoon to work up some bubbles.[1]
  3. Clean Makeup Brushes Step 3.jpg
    3
    Swirl the bristles in the mixture. Only the bottom half of your brushes' bristles should be swirled in the mixture to avoid having water travel up the handle.
  4. Clean Makeup Brushes Step 4.jpg
    4
    Remove the brushes from the mixture. Gently massage in the excess mixture left on the bristles with your fingers to loosen up the makeup and dirt.
  5. Clean Makeup Brushes Step 5.jpg
    5
    Rinse the bristles under lukewarm water. Continue to massage the bristles while running them under the water until it runs completely clear. Avoid getting the handle wet.
  6. Clean Makeup Brushes Step 6.jpg
    6
    Pat the bristles. Use a clean dish towel or face towel to gently remove some of the moisture. [2]
  7. Clean Makeup Brushes Step 7.jpg
    7
    Reshape the bristles. Spread the bristles apart with your fingers to help get them back in shape.
  8. Clean Makeup Brushes Step 8.jpg
    8
    Lay the brushes on a dry towel. Make sure the bristles aren't bent underneath.[3]
  9. Clean Makeup Brushes Step 9.jpg
    9
    Fluff the bristles. When the brushes are completely dry, fluff the bristles a bit. Your brushes are now ready to use.
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EditTips

  • If it's possible, brushes love to be hung up so bristles point to the floor.
  • Give the proper amount of drying time.

EditWarnings

  • Do not use heat on your brushes! Let them dry at their own pace.
  • Do not soak your brushes in water! This will ruin the glue in the handle.

EditThings You'll Need

  • Clarifying shampoo & water
  • A bowl
  • A towel

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EditSources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://laurenconrad.com/blog/post/beauty-school-how-to-clean-your-makeup-brushes-tips-tricks-ilana-saul-june-2013
  2. ↑ http://www.seventeen.com/fashion/blog/clean-makeup-brushes-tutorial
  3. ↑ http://theglitterguide.com/2013/04/11/how-to-clean-your-makeup-brushes/?slide=4#content

Article Info

Categories: Makeup Brushes

Recent edits by: Gourang Sharma, Kayendi, Daniel Bauwens

In other languages:

Deutsch: Wie man Make Up Pinsel reinigt, Español: Cómo limpiar brochas de maquillaje, Italiano: Come Pulire i Pennelli da Trucco, Português: Como Limpar Pincéis de Maquiagem, Français: Comment nettoyer des pinceaux à maquillages, Nederlands: Make up kwasten schoonmaken, Русский: вымыть кисточки для косметики, 中文: 清洗化妆刷

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