How Often Do You Clean Your Makeup Brushes?: Makeup and Beauty Blog: Makeup Reviews, Beauty Tips and Drugstore Beauty Finds

So far, 55 people have commented on this post. How cool is that?

1. Zdubb said, on June 9th, 2009:

I recently cleaned my brushes and I was all the way disgusted by the amount of product gooped in between those bristles!
I haven’t thought about the WetWipes before, but that’d be a quick preventative measure…

Zdubb´s last blog post..30 Day Challenge
2. Zara said, on June 9th, 2009:

Every time after use if i’m dealing with wet/creme/moist makeup, but maybe once a week or every two weeks if not.

Posietint doesn’t need a brush though, so no cleaning either! Just got myself a bottle, and so far i’m loving it– it really isn’t to dark for my skin!

But the application is always a hit or miss for me– I sometimes end up looking like a circus clown, lol. Do you have any application tips for a nice natural flush?
3. lexi said, on June 9th, 2009:

i do it after every 2nd or 3rd use. And I use the MAC brush cleaner. I probably just switch to using my shampoo after i’m done with this bottle.
4. Paris B said, on June 9th, 2009:

At least once a week if I have the time. Otherwise, that’s what spare brushes are for

Paris B´s last blog post..Upcoming: YSL Cosmetics Fall/Winter 2009
5. Vonvon said, on June 9th, 2009:

I clean them whenever I feel like they look and need to be cleaned. I am a lazy person. Or I’ll just use my fingers to apply my eyeshadows and I have a couple extra brushes for blushes and powders.

Vonvon´s last blog post..Estee Lauder TIME ZONE Gift Set And Good Customer Service
6. Anne said, on June 9th, 2009:

Once a week, I think the longest is two weeks.
Not unless some of my little cousins played with it and I have to wash it right away.

Anne´s last blog post..HE is my sunshine & Im gonna shine bright for HIM
7. Juanita said, on June 9th, 2009:

I just washed mine now in fact, but every 2 weeks with antibacterial Dial Complete. I keep a box of unscented baby wipes on my vanity to keep them clean as I use them.
8. Catherine said, on June 10th, 2009:

I try to wash all of my brushes every week or so. I tend to wash the eye brushes more often since they dry fine within 5-6 hours. The face brushes take more like 10-12 hours to dry, so I think on average I get to them every 7-10 days. I also clean my concealer brush and paintpot brush after every use (sometimes not in the morning but at night while I’m getting ready for bed).

Catherine´s last blog post..Life Update – Short Hiatus
9. ehma said, on June 10th, 2009:

I’ve started to wash mine once a week.

I don’t always have time to wipe them down after use with a gentle makeup removing wipe when I’m running off to class, so a weekly wash is necessary >_____<

Fudge’s torture tonic conditioner is a solid conditioner for makeup brushes and keeps them reasonably soft, but the best guarantor for super soft brushes i’ve found is using a smidge of Tigi Catwalk’s Headshot (especially if you leave it in for 10 mins or so)! Makes my loose powder and Kabuki brushes feel brand new!

Phew, I bet that was waaaay TMI for you!
10. Karen B said, on June 10th, 2009:

Not as much as I should probably. But I have my regular brushes that I usually us for the same thing so they don’t get cleaned that often. I just cleaned them this weekend though. Go me!
11. Julia said, on June 10th, 2009:

Just deep cleaned all my brushes last night (olive oil followed by clarifying shampoo) and it’s definitely time consuming–probably 45 minutes work plus drying time. I like to clean them every week, usually on Saturday night. In between, I use Mac wipes and a clean hand towel.
12. Laurie said, on June 10th, 2009:

I keep MAC brush cleaner in a spray bottle on my vanity. After using certain products, ie fluidline, I spritz and clean. Just a tip for in between washing
13. Shealyn said, on June 10th, 2009:

My eye brushes are cleaned with a spot spray and wiping excess on a tissue after every couple uses. As for my face brushes…lol, definitely not often enough. I always just end up forgetting and then being mad and just applying concealer, powder and fix+.
14. Cre said, on June 10th, 2009:

I clean them at least once a week, if not right after I use them. Having extra brushes does help.
15. Azucar said, on June 10th, 2009:

I truly like to clean my brushes as often as…well, as often as I clean my face! I wash my brushes everyday or at least alternate between brushes and wash them before they touch my face again. I’ve seen my face clear up and have less to “cover up”. The cleaner, the better honey
16. TUPRNUT said, on June 10th, 2009:

I clean them once a week. I use both of the brush cleaners that Sephora makes and I really like them!
17. Nina1 said, on June 10th, 2009:

all of these people are just amazing with their routines. I think about it more than I actually do it — try to do it once a week.
18. Marta said, on June 10th, 2009:

Usually once a week . I use the clinique brush cleaners.
19. gio said, on June 10th, 2009:

I wipe mty brushes down aftetr every use and deep clean them once a week.

gio´s last blog post..What ingredients are comedogenic?
20. Rachel said, on June 10th, 2009:

I don’t have a brush set right now, but if I did, I think I would use one of those spray brush cleaners once or twice a week?
21. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Rachel,

They work pretty well. I’ve used the MAC one in the past and I liked it… I tend to go through the stuff really quickly, though.

What are you currently using to apply your makeup right now? A good set of brushes takes it to a whole new level…
22. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Gio,

What do you use to wipe your brushes down? A regular makeup wipe?
23. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Marta,

I didn’t know Clinique made a brush cleanser. I’ll have to look into that!
24. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Nina,

Some are real sticklers for their brushes. I would probably clean mine more if I had more time…
25. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Tuprnut,

I’ll haven’t tried Sephora’s yet. Does a bottle last long?
26. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Azucar,

What do you like to use to clean your brushes? Do you do a quick cleansing with a wipe?
27. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Cre,

That’s true. I like to keep a few extra eye brushes on hand for days when my favorite brushes are dirty.
28. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Laurie,

I love that stuff, too! It works super fast and removes everything.
29. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Julia,

I’ve heard that the olive oil keeps the fibers really supple. I haven’t tried it yet though, as you’re right, it takes a lot of time. I bet your brushes are in great shape, though!
30. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Karen B.,

Girl, do you still have your Chanel powder brush? I am thinking of buying myself one as a bday present.
31. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Ehma,

Sweet! I will have to see if I can get a sample of Tigi’s Catwalk… I love trying new shampoos on my brushes.
32. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Catherine,

Yeah… my concealer brushes and paintpot brushes get gross in a hot second. Oh, so do the Fluidline ones!
33. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Juanita,

Baby wipes are a great idea — I gotta go and grab me some soon. Have you ever used Wet Ones? They work well, too.
34. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Anne,

LOL! What are your cousins doing to your brushes?
35. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Vonvon,

I have been feeling extra lazy when it comes to brush cleaning, too. Fingers are sometimes just so much easier…
36. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Paris B,

Ain’t that the truth. I knew I had those MAC SE brushes for some reason…
37. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Lexi,

I like the MAC Cleaner — it works fast and well. It tends to be expensive for me, though, because i go through it really quickly.
38. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Zara,

I go slowly and build in layers. I usually do about three dots on one cheek and then blend quickly. Add another (or two) if I’m feeling like more COLOR! Oh, and then I’ll take a step back and if any edges need to blended out I’ll use my fingers.
39. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Zdubb,

They help a lot. So handy and easy to use!

The single packets are handy for travel cleaning, too.
40. Dao said, on June 10th, 2009:

I wash my brush about every two weeks but it all depends on what I use. If I use lots of liquid stuff, I make sure to wash the brushes after use. Otherwise, my brushes may become playgrounds for bacteria.

Dao´s last blog post..L’Oréal HiP Color Presso Lip Glosses: Smell Like Cupcakes!
41. TUPRNUT said, on June 10th, 2009:

I just bought them in April. One is a spray cleaner that is used for light cleaning and the other one is a brush shampoo that I use for deep cleaning (mostly for my foundation & pressed powder brushes). There’s still lots of product left… I think I could get at least 6 months using both.
42. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Tuprnut,

Cool… I think I will try them.
43. pouneh said, on June 10th, 2009:

I wash mine after 7 uses, but my foundation brush gets washed more often unless I switch between the regular kind and my beloved 187 I use baby shampoo works great
44. Kate & Zena said, on June 10th, 2009:

I clean them about once a week, if I remember! Sometimes it’s laid off a week. I use a home-made cleaner I got from some YouTube channel (don’t remember the name). It works very well.
45. JillyB said, on June 10th, 2009:

I clean my shadow brushes and concealer brush every day, just swishing them in the sink and then on a bar of Ivory soap. But I only clean by bigger brushes, like my blush brush, about once a month. Mainly because while I use lots of different e/s colors, I use basically the same blush colors.
46. Rachel said, on June 10th, 2009:

Oh man, well, I don’t wear face makeup – so I don’t need a brush for that. So many times that I’ve worn foundation, it’s broken me out. So I steer clear. I usually just wear moisturizer or SPF. For eyes, if I wear eyeshadow that day, I either use my fingertips, or I use these grubby sponge applicators. I never clean those. Groddy, I know. I usually replace them after some time. For lips, I usually wear lip balm, rarely liner.. Lipstick, I usually apply right from the tube. Never use a lip brush. Back to eyes, I definitely think if I bought a gel liner in a pot, I’d need one of those eyeliner brushes.. That would be indispenisble… I’ve been wanting one of those, but lately for now, I’ve just been using pencil, so I never use a brush for that either.
47. Joyce said, on June 10th, 2009:

I wash with a shampoo after every 2nd or third use generally.
48. Selena said, on June 10th, 2009:

Baby shampoo every few days when I have the chance. No less than 1ce a week.
49. Cindyrella said, on June 10th, 2009:

Once a week with anti-bacterial liquid soap.
50. Tiera said, on June 10th, 2009:

I use Sephora’s Daily Brush Cleaner almost daily for most of my brushes (especially the eyeshadow brushes since those colors tend to change up the most, and my eyeliner brush, to be safe and hygenic).

When I’m on a job this works well to, as it’s really quick-drying.

I usually do a shampoo around once a week, depending on use (since I don’t wear makeup everyday).
51. Solé said, on June 10th, 2009:

I use MAC brush cleanser, and I clean them once every two weeks depending how much I used them. The ones that get the most wear get cleaned on the regular, but the ones I use less often might get cleaned every other cleaning session. I like to keep my makeup bags clean too, so every few weeks I wipe everything down with wipeys so there isn’t multi-colored powder buildup on everything. Gross makeup kits are one of my pet-peeves.
52. Nicole15 said, on June 10th, 2009:

I have uber sensitive skin that breaks out with the slightest thing. Therefore, each day I spritz my brushes with Sephora’s Anti-bacterial Brush Cleaner before using them just to get the prior day’s color off & to know that bacteria is not lingering before I put the brush to my face. The cleaner dries real fast which I like. Then once a week, i do a deep clean with baby shampoo. My brushes are like brand new each time i use them!
53. Apple Diva said, on June 10th, 2009:

I clean my brushes twice a week. Since I have a multiple brushes, I can do that. I use the beauty blender cleanser <– that product is top notch.

Apple Diva´s last blog post..Face Atelier ~ Pro Team ~ Los Angeles IMATS ~ June 20 – 21, 2009
54. Karen said, on June 10th, 2009:

Hi Apple Diva,

Oh! I’ve been meaning to try that. I got it awhile back… gotta dig it out and get to work on my gross brushes, LOL!
55. Aisha said, on June 11th, 2009:

I actually really enjoy washing my brushes. I use Ivory soap once a week–I clean them the same way I was taught to clean oil painting brushes. My favorite part is reshaping them so they dry in the right shape

They have all kept up very well except one synthetic Shu Uemura brush which is getting the frizzies (the hairs are all going in opposite directions!). I’ve kind of replaced it with an Eco Tools eye shadow brush–so cheap yet soft and never sheds! I still keep the worn-out brush for blending cream shadows.

In between, I use an alcohol-based brush cleaner which I pour a little out onto a paper towel and wipe my brushes on. It dries within 10 seconds.

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How Often Do You Clean Your Makeup Brushes?

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So far, 55 people have commented on this post. How cool is that?

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“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” ~ Coco Chanel

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”
~ Coco Chanel