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3.16.2011

How To: Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Cleaning your makeup brushes is vital. If you aren't regularly cleaning these brushes oils, bacteria, and makeup buildup all just sit on the brushes and are transfered into your actual makeup and on your face - not good. So you want to make sure you clean the brushes once a week. I recommend Sunday nights - that way they are ready to face the week! 

Since I had a few brushes that needed cleaning, I thought I would share how I do this.

Directions:
1. Get an old cup and cover the bottom with a thin layer of shampoo. Any kind is fine - you don't need a specific brush cleaning shampoo or the most expensive.

2. Place the brushes down into the cup so that the bristles get the shampoo on them. Wiggle them around a bit to make sure the shampoo is on all of the brushes.

3. Get warm water running. Quickly put the cup under the faucet so that you fill the cup up with about an inch of water (you don't want too much as water should not be above the silver piece of the brush).

4. Wiggle the brushes around to get the shampoo/water mix on all the brushes.  

   

5. Pull one brush out at a time and move it around in a circular motion in the palm of your hand. The suds will be dirty.


6. Move your hand under the water while continuing moving brush in circular motion. Keep doing so until water runs clean of makeup and suds. You may want to alternate squeezing out the brush and rubbing it on your hand. *Also, be sure to keep brush at a downward angle so water does not go up into brush.

7. Completely wring out excess water and use your hand to shape the bristles.

8. Lay the brushes out to dry overnight - they will be completely dry and ready to use in the morning. *I like placing my brush on some sort of ledge or over the counter so that all side of the brush are able to breathe/get fresh air. 


  

And now they are clean - free of excess oils, bacterial, and makeup.



I learned this method from a makeup artist. She used to work for MAC and stated this is how they clean their brushes in the store - cheap shampoo and all!

40 comments:

  1. ElaineMarch 16, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    I love the cup idea! I've been doing the circular motion part but it never got it brand-new clean. Thanks!

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  2. Collette OsunaMarch 16, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    Great post.....not many people really know how to do this....I used to just throw mine away....got a tad too costly....I definitely clean them this way, and they have all lasted a very long time:)

    Stop by and say Hello:)
    Enter my Fab Free People Giveaway!!♥

    ReplyDelete
  3. KileenMarch 16, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    great tip! i actually use baby shampoo on my natural-bristled brushes and just regular hand soap for my synthetic-bristled brushes. much cheaper than makeup brush cleaner!

    cute & little
    come join the Color Brigade!

    ReplyDelete
  4. sMarch 16, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    I agree with Elaine, the cup idea is great! I always use baby shampoo but have been lazy about cleaning my brushes lately.. time to get back into a good habit! :D

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  5. GertrudeMarch 16, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    I agree with Kileen. Baby shampoo has to be used on natural bristles as else the chemicals in a normal shampoo would be too harsh on the bristles. Thanks for sharing this :) Your brush holder is really cute!!

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  6. LauraMarch 16, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    Oh thanks for the tip! Embarassed to say I didn't know how important it was to clean the brushes, but it makes sense. Definitely will be doing this asap!

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  7. Victoria Paige @ Boutique UniquelyMarch 16, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    This is great! So is there a way I should clean the actual makeup since I may have been using dirty brushes.

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  8. Erin WillettMarch 16, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    I've been breaking out recently, and I bet this is why: brushes haven't been cleaned in forever!
    I literally just got done washing mine! Thanks :)

    heyrecklessmind.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. LinleyMarch 16, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    @victoria - if you keep your brushes clean, the makeup should eventually get clean - as you will be using the top layer and after a few uses, that layer will be gone. you could probably take a paper towel and gently wipe off the top layer.

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  10. katouMarch 16, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Really helpful post great tips thank you for sharing with us!!!!
    http://insidekatouscloset.blogspot.com/

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  11. AllisonMarch 16, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    I am so bad about cleaning my brushes. I need to do this TONIGHT! I like the cup idea. Seems easier and if it is easier I will be more likely to do it.

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  12. AllisonMarch 16, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    I never thought of doing the circular motion in my hand. Thanks for the tip!
    My brushes never seemed to be clean after I cleaned them, now I'm sure they will! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. amyMarch 16, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Your blog is wonderful! SO informative and you're a smiling gem~


    love amy ^.^
    www.amyflyingakite.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anik MilkMarch 16, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Thanks for that post, Linley! One day I wathed the movie about some illnesses connected with uncleaned brushes, after that I try to clean it at least every two weeks. Unfortunately I can't find it.

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  15. Mindy WebbMarch 16, 2011 at 3:30 PM

    Awesome! Such a good reminder. Thank you, Linley! Mindy

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  16. ilene @ muchloveillyMarch 16, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    i do this same thing!! such a great tutorial though - such a good reminder 'cause sometimes i forget. oops.

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  17. HayleyMarch 16, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    Good idea with the cup! I reall need to do this more often!

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  18. GabriellaMarch 16, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    Never heard of this before! But thank you so much for sharing! xo, Gabbie

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  19. Brooke TMarch 16, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    AH! I do that too! I learned from a popular girl on YouTube! I have to keep remember to do this though ha

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  20. ZaraMarch 16, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    The makeup artist was right. I've worked as a makeup artist at several different stores and thats exactly how I clean mine. :-)

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  21. daniMarch 16, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    This was so super helpful! I recently had to replace some brushes because they were icky and my cleaning methods were (pun intended) lackluster. Thank you!

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  22. Simply BubbleliciousMarch 16, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    What a helpful tip. Mine are do a cleaning, so thanks for that!

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  23. AnonymousMarch 16, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    thanks so much for sharing! i always forget to wash my brushes. i did find a product at sephora which is a daily spray (antibacterial) for your brushes. do i remember to use that?? about once every 2 weeks. i'm bad! :)

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  24. Cara-MiaMarch 16, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    Ugh I haven't cleaned my brushes in forever. I never did it this thoroughly, either. I will have to try this tonight.

    ReplyDelete
  25. ashleyMarch 16, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Good advice, thanks! I'm kinda grossed out now to think of the last time I cleaned my brushes...

    ReplyDelete
  26. AngelineMarch 16, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    Great tutorial! One of my college roommates was a makeup artist at Clinique and she taught me this, too (the shampoo + circular motion part--I don't use a cup). It's so easy, and the clean brush feels good on the face. ahh.

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousMarch 16, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Really shampoo? I feel like such a looser for not ever even considering it before! ... You just saved me like 20 bucks on this one, I usually buy a product from MAC super expensive btw! ... So trying it!

    <3 Cess O.
    http://blog.cessoviedo.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. UnknownMarch 16, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    Such a great tip girl!
    I need to wash mine.
    I only use MAC.
    Cuz its the best.

    xoxo
    www.stephanieandsuch.blogspot.com

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  29. abby upstairsMarch 16, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    This is such perfect timing, I was just thinking today that I really needed to clean my brushes and didn't know what to use. Thanks for these directions!

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  30. styled by 3March 16, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    i need to do this immediately! i'm so grossed out right now that i haven't done it. ever. i mean not that my current brushes are super old, but still. gross.
    thank you!

    ~liz

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  31. Rosemary BrennanMarch 16, 2011 at 11:51 PM

    I actually love cleaning out my brushes--it's weirdly a stress reducer! And when they look all new and refreshed? It's a small, but great feeling. :)

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  32. Bekah McDuffieMarch 17, 2011 at 1:39 AM

    what a great reminder.. it is so important.
    going to run do this now! thanks!

    matters of merrymaking

    ReplyDelete
  33. AubreyOhDang!March 17, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    I think you'll find this informative:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVdciJkmb7o

    Esp regarding laying your brushes flat. Water can still seep back into the brush.

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  34. KatelynMarch 17, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    Thanks for the helpful post!

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  35. AnonymousMarch 17, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    You are so sweet to share this! Good reminder for those of us who maybe just use the same brushes for a long time without cleaning them... You know... those people...

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  36. KateMarch 17, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    I used to just throw away my brushes every few months, but that gets really pricey. I just discovered how to clean them, and the tips you have are great! Definitely will help me extend the life of my precious brushes.

    Divergent Musings

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  37. AmyMarch 17, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    I love cleaning my brushes! Isn't it so satisfying to see the dirty, make-up colored suds rush down the drain?!

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  38. LearningMarch 21, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    Thanks so much for the tip! Do you have any recommendations on where to get affordable/quality brushes? They seem quite pricey.

    - Angela

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  39. AnonymousMarch 21, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    I'm embarrassed to say that I've never cleaned my brushes before. That's right, ew, I know. I just buy new ones a lot. So this post is SUPER helpful! Thank you!

    Where do you get your brushes?

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  40. Mommy AMarch 22, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    Just used this method to clean all my make up brushes!

    Thanks for the tip!!
    Love your blog!

    www.anewfoundlove.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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xo,
Linley