Quick answer: To wash makeup brushes the right way, wet only the bristles with lukewarm water, swirl them across a solid brush soap, and rinse with the bristles always pointing down so water never seeps into the metal ferrule. Squeeze out the water, reshape each head, and lay the brushes flat to dry overnight, never upright in a cup. Wash face brushes about weekly and eye brushes every one to two weeks.
Key takeaways
- Wash your brushes about once a week, and more often if you are breaking out.
- Always rinse with the bristles pointing down. Water in the ferrule dissolves the glue and loosens the hairs.
- A solid brush soap deep-cleans buildup without drying out the bristles.
- Reshape each brush while it is damp and dry it flat overnight, never straight up in a cup.
- Clean brushes give you true color payoff and a soft, comfortable application.
Hey ladies! This is the question I get asked more than almost any other, so I filmed a fresh little refresh on how to wash your makeup brushes: how to clean them, when to clean them, and what to use. The good news is it is genuinely simple, but there is one rule you cannot skip if you want your brushes to last. Let me walk you through the exact method I use on my Essential Brush Set.
What is the pro method, step by step?
The whole routine takes just a few minutes. Here is exactly what I do:
- Sort your brushes so you know which ones are dirty. I keep dirty brushes in one side of the tube and clean ones in the other, then wash the dirty batch once a week or every two weeks.
- Wet only the bristles with lukewarm water, keeping the brush head pointed down.
- Swirl the bristles into a solid brush soap. For a dense brush like the Foundation Buffing Brush with heavy cream buildup, use the textured top of the soap to break up the product.
- Work the lather gently in the palm of your hand until the water runs clear, which is how you know the brush is truly clean.
- Rinse with the bristles always pointing down. Never let water run up into the ferrule.
- Squeeze out the excess water with a towel and reshape, or sculpt, the bristle head back to its original shape.
- Lay each brush flat to dry overnight. Do not dry them upright in a cup or with the bristles facing straight down.
You do not need any of the electric spinners or silicone gadgets you see online. Your hand and a good soap are all it takes. In the video I am using a coconut-oil solid brush cleanser from a third-party brand I picked up at Sephora; if you would rather shop ours, our own solid option is the Lux Brush Soap. A liquid brush soap works too.
Why does washing with the bristles down matter so much?
This is my biggest tip. The ferrule is the silver metal band that holds the bristles to the handle. If you point the brush up and let water roll down into that ferrule, the glue softens and the whole head starts to fall apart. Keeping the bristles pointed down the entire time you rinse keeps water out of the ferrule. It is easy to forget, and it is usually the reason people notice their brush hairs shedding. Get this one thing right and quality brushes will last you for years.
How often should you wash each brush?
Dense face brushes that hold cream products, like the buffing brush, need washing most often, roughly once a week. Powder and eyeshadow brushes can usually go every one to two weeks, though it helps to spot-clean between shadow shades. Small detail brushes such as the concealer brush touch cream products and the lip area, so keep those on the more frequent side. If you are dealing with breakouts, wash sooner so you are not moving bacteria around your skin.
What does clean actually get you?
Beyond hygiene, clean brushes give you accurate color. When your blush brush is loaded with several old shades, you will not get the true color you dipped into, and eyeshadow ends up looking like a muddy mix of seven colors instead of the shade you chose. There is also something genuinely satisfying about seeing your brushes go back to bright white after a wash. It is a small ritual that makes every application feel better.
The bottom line
Washing your makeup brushes is simple: solid soap, bristles down, lather until the water runs clear, reshape, and dry flat overnight. Keep that ferrule dry and your brushes will stay soft and last for years. Ready to refresh your kit? Explore our brushes and tools, browse the best sellers, or shop the full makeup collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you wash your makeup brushes?
Wash face brushes like your foundation buffing brush about once a week, and eye and powder brushes every one to two weeks. If you are breaking out, wash them more often so you are not moving bacteria around your skin. Spot-clean between shadow shades to keep your colors true.
What should you use to wash makeup brushes?
A brush soap made for cosmetics works best. A solid soap is travel-friendly and will not leak, and a coconut-oil formula keeps bristles conditioned. A liquid brush soap works too. Avoid dish soap, which can dry out both natural and synthetic bristles over time.
Why should you wash brushes with the bristles pointing down?
The ferrule is the metal band that holds the bristles to the handle. If water runs up into it, the glue softens and the hairs start to fall out. Keeping the bristles pointed down while you rinse keeps water out of the ferrule, so your brushes stay intact and last for years.
How do you dry makeup brushes after washing?
Gently squeeze out the water, reshape the bristle head with your fingers, and lay each brush flat to dry overnight. Do not dry them upright in a cup or with the bristles facing straight down, because both let water settle into the ferrule and loosen the bristles.
Do you need special brush-cleaning gadgets?
No. You do not need electric spinners or silicone contraptions. Your hand and a good brush soap are all you need: swirl, lather, rinse with the bristles down, reshape, and lay flat. Keeping it simple means less clutter on your sink and the same clean result.
