No matter if you love to apply a no-makeup-makeup look, or a full face, you need to make sure that your tools are ready for the job. That means investing in a proper makeup brush cleaner. “There are two types of cleansers: soap and liquid formulas,” Emmy-nominated makeup artist, Gabrielle Devine, told 21Ninety.
Now, you’ve probably seen those machines that clean your makeup brushes by putting it in a hurricane. But, Four-time Emmy-nominated makeup artist, Kerrin Jackson, told 21Ninety that you should steer clear of those machines. “The repeated action of this will lead to your brush bristles spreading, and ultimately shorten their lifespan, and how long they work for you,” Jackson exclaimed.
Best Products To Clean Makeup Brushes
As Devine mentioned, liquid and bar soaps are the best products to clean makeup brushes. But, you shouldn’t just slather your body wash on your makeup brushes. There are specific products made to clean makeup brushes.
“Choose a bar soap that is sulfate-free, fragrance-free, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial to ensure cleanliness and brush hair conditioning,” Devine recommends. Both Emmy-nominated makeup artists noted that the wrong product could cause the quality of the bristles to drop much faster than if you used a makeup brush cleanser.
Pro-tip Devine suggested using a liquid formula to break down oil-based makeup that’s on your brushes. That way, all of the gunk gets out of the brush.
Once you have the right soap for the job, another helpful tool is a makeup brush cleansing mat. “Using a silicone cleansing mat is a great option to get a deep clean on your brushes while protecting your hands from drying out,” according to Devine.
How To Use Makeup Brush Cleaner
To clean your makeup brushes, add your preferred soap to your makeup brushes. According to Jackson, use warm water – under the tap or in a bowl – to wet the brush.
Then, if you’re using a liquid soap, add a small amount of product to the bristles. However, if you’re using a bar of soap, the four-time Emmy-nominated makeup artist suggested to “gently swipe the brush back and forth over the soap bar.” With either type of soap, swipe back and forth on a white towel until you don’t see any residue. Or, use a silicone mat for a deeper clean. That said, be gentle. “When cleaning your brushes, it’s important to try to sweep the brushes gently in the direction of the hairs, this ensures that they don’t get bent or broken and will help give you maximum lifetime out of your brushes,” Jackson noted.
Once your brushes are thoroughly clean and rinsed, lay them down on their side to dry. “Laying them flat also prevents any water traveling up inside the brushes and further prevents any damage to where the bristles are secured and where adhesive may be holding each hair in place,” Jackson explained.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to keep your brushes healthier for a longer period of time. The four-time Emmy-nominated makeup artist boasted that she still has brushes from the ‘90s. “And I put this down to cleaning them often, and cleaning and storing them with love.”
Sephora Collection Solid Brush and Sponge Cleaner with Pad
Sephora Collection Solid Brush and Sponge Cleaner with Pad is a solid cleaners that can get makeup out of brushes and sponges. Plus, the solid soap is infused with Moroccan argan oil to condition the bristles of the brush.
EcoTools Makeup Brush and Beauty Sponge Cleansing Shampoo
Emmy-nominated makeup artist, Devine, said to check out the EcoTools Makeup Brush and Beauty Sponge Cleansing Shampoo. It’s a vegan and cruelty-free makeup brush cleanser for brushes and sponges. Plus, it’s dermatologist-tested as a hypoallergenic option that works with sensitive skin.
Jenny Patinkin Luxury Vegan Makeup Brush Soap
Jenny Patinkin’s Luxury Vegan Makeup Brush Soap is fragrance-free, anti-bacterial, and antimicrobial. It cleans and conditions your brushes with its coconut milk-infused formula.
Bobbi Brown Conditioning Brush Cleanser
Bobbi Brown’s Conditioning Brush Cleanser is made to effectively remove the gunk from your makeup brushes without damaging the bristles. You only need a small amount of the gentle cleanser to thoroughly clean your makeup brushes.
Piccasso Brush Cleansing Soap
Piccasso’s Brush Cleansing Soap uses a blend of suds and essential oils to clean your brushes. This solid cleanser is infused with shea butter, olive, coconut, and tea tree to give your brushes a deep, yet conditioning, clean.
Miss A Paw Paw Brush Cleaning Mat
Miss A’s Paw Paw Brush Cleaning Mat works well with any of the soaps on this list. It’s a heart-shaped brush cleaning mat with six different textures to clean your brush from all angles.
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