How to clean make-up brushes: simple methods and useful products

Did you know that cleaning make-up brushes is the make-up equivalent of brushing your teeth? So yes, proper brush hygiene when you apply make-up is an essential part of taking care of your skin. Let us explain why and how.

Why it is important to clean make-up brushes?

Between the bristles of a brush, even if not visible, there may be impurities that can irritate the skin.

Brushes are designed to hold make-up so that it can be applied to the face. But, because of this design, they can also retain impurities and sebum collected on the skin which, if not removed properly, could end up back on your face the next time you apply make-up.

As well as for hygiene reasons, it’s also important to clean your brushes so that they are in optimal condition and last longer. A good brush is one that can absorb make-up and transfer it to the skin with ease. If the brush is clogged up with old make-up (and impurities), it will not spread evenly. Make-up residue makes the bristles stiff and less flexible; this can make using certain products, such as liquid foundation, more difficult.

What should you use to clean make-up brushes?

There are several options for cleaning make-up brushes and choosing the right one depends on the type of brush and its bristles. Let’s look at two very practical solutions in detail!

For those who are always on the move and need something that doesn't take up too much space, make-up remover wipes are great for cleaning brushes as well. This method will require a little more time and perhaps a drop of lukewarm water. Alternatively, there's the no-rinse brush cleanser. It’s said that once you’ve used it you never look back!

This cleanser really is practical and convenient: with a few sprays and a bit of tissue to remove the make-up, your brushes are left clean and soft in seconds. This product is loved by professionals in the world of make-up, and by anyone who wants clean brushes in just a few simple steps.

Thanks to its capacity (50 ml), it is also perfect for keen travellers.

How should you wash make-up brushes?

Let’s look at the various steps for cleaning brushes in more detail, based on the tips we've just given you.

Here’s how to wash your brushes with water and a basic shampoo - a method suitable for brushes with soft, natural bristles.

Wet the bristles with lukewarm water and then add a drop of a gentle shampoo. Avoid holding the brush under water at any point, especially the base where the bristles are glued to the handle. Soap and water may cause them to come unstuck.
Massage the bristles of the brush gently with your hands and rinse.
Leave your brushes to dry in a horizontal position outdoors.

As for brushes with synthetic bristles, on the other hand, the procedure is very similar, but we recommend you use a brush cleansing pad.

Once again, start by wetting the bristles with water.
Take your pad and pour a bit of gentle shampoo onto it. Now rub the bristles of the brush against the pad using gentle circular movements.

The pad’s zigzag side helps entirely remove make-up from brushes when they're rubbed against it.

Rinse brushes thoroughly.
Dry and place back into your beauty case.

If you need something practical for travelling, go for make-up remover wipes. Here’s how to use them:

Take a wipe and rub it between the bristles of your brush in order to remove most of the make-up manually.
If that’s not enough, lightly wet the bristles with a little water and use another wipe.
Leave the brushes to dry then put them back in your beauty case.

But which is the most practical method by far? The no-rinse brush cleanser. Here's how to use it:

Take your brush with bristles and spray detergent on it.
Using a tissue, remove excess make-up from the brush.
Unlike the other techniques, the brushes will already be practically dry. And you can immediately use them again. This technique is widely used by make-up artists when switching from one model to another or from one make-up product to another during a fashion show!

How should you dry brushes?

One of the most common mistakes is not letting brushes dry completely before putting them away.

And drying them properly is equally important. Some people leave brushes upright, resting on the base and with the bristles pointing upwards. This is one of the most frequently used but wrong methods because, by leaving it to dry this way, you run the risk of wetting and moistening the area containing the glue that holds the bristles together with the handle of the brush. This causes the brush to last much less than expected.

Remember that you should also avoid leaving the brushes in a horizontal position covered with a towel. This allows moisture to fester at the risk of bacteria and mould forming.

The most correct way to dry brushes is to lay them horizontally on a tissue in a ventilated part of the house.

Warning: do not leave them in direct sunlight as excessive heat can cause the bristles to dislodge.

How often should you clean make-up brushes?

But when should I clean my make-up brushes? That’s the question you're all asking!

The answer is: it depends. It depends on how regularly you put make-up on and, even more importantly, on the type of brush you’re cleaning.

For a face brush, we recommend cleaning at least once a week. Sebum from the skin mixed with make-up can clog up the bristles of the brush.

For an eye brush for applying eye shadow or blending, for example, once a week is fine, but more often is OK too.

Now that you have learnt how to clean your brushes, they are sure to last much longer and, most importantly, your skin will thank you! Because cleaning your brushes so that they're gentle and soft makes all the difference for your face.

All brushes

Easy returns in 30 days

Free shipping from 45€

Gifts & offers with KIKO ME

Secure payments