Dirty brushes aren't just unhygienic — they make your makeup work harder. Product builds up in the bristles, colors get muddy, and breakouts love a neglected foundation brush. The good news: a proper deep clean takes about five minutes and your brushes will thank you for years.
What you'll need
- A gentle brush soap (skip the dish soap — it's harsh on natural bristles)
- A textured cleaning pad or the palm of your hand
- Lukewarm water and a clean towel
The five-minute method
- Wet the bristles. Hold the brush bristles-down under lukewarm water. Keep water away from the base where the bristles meet the handle — that's where glue lives.
- Swirl in soap. Add a little brush soap to your pad and swirl the brush in small circles. You'll see the product lift out.
- Rinse until clear. Rinse, swirl, repeat until the water runs clean.
- Reshape and lay flat. Gently squeeze out excess water, reshape the head, and lay the brush flat with the bristles over the edge of the counter to dry.
How often
Foundation and concealer brushes: once a week. Eye brushes: every two weeks. Anything that touches cream product, more often. A quick daily swirl on a cleaning pad between deep cleans keeps things fresh.
Never dry brushes uprightWater runs into the base and loosens the glue. Always dry flat or bristles-down.
That's it. Five minutes, the right soap, and a flat dry — and your brushes will look and perform like new far longer.