All About Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes (and Sponges too!)

When anyone talks about their skin care regimen or recommendations, one step that is often overlooked and forgotten is the step of cleaning their makeup tools.  Like many of you, I use my makeup brushes and sponges or Beautyblenders on a daily basis, using them to apply everything from foundation and concealer, to eyeshadow and blush.  We don't often think about it, but every time we apply these brushes or sponges to our skin, they are not only accumulating excess product, but also bacteria.  These bacteria can lead to unwanted skin or eye irritation and breakouts.  We do our best to use amazing products and spend the time to cleanse our skin well - don't follow it up by spreading bacteria over your skin with dirty brushes or sponges!

How often should you cleanse your makeup tools?  
~ Foundation and concealer brushes should be cleansed once per week.  These brushes are used over the entire surface area of the face and over areas with acne, which contain a lot of oils and bacteria, thus are recommended to be washed more frequently than other brushes.
~ Brushes used for the eyes should be cleansed once every two weeks.

~ For the remainder of your brushes such as those used for blush, highlighter, bronzer, and brows should be cleansed once every month.

~ Now for the very popular Beautyblenders and other sponges.  These makeup tools have increased absorption power and thus, require more frequent cleansing than makeup brushes.  Ideally, these tools should be washed with every use (yes, even I cringe with guilt as I do not do that).  Wash any sponges as often as you can or perhaps have a few that you can rotate so you do not have to do daily cleaning.  Also, always dry your sponges thoroughly before putting them into your makeup bag or drawer, and if possible, store them open to air.  Sponges and beautyblenders will gradually lose their bounce and color, which are both signs that they need to be replaced.  Beautyblender.com recommends that "with regular cleansing, the lifespan of a beautyblender is 3 months."  

How do I clean my makeup brushes? 

First moisten the brush bristles with lukewarm water.  Apply a few drops of liquid cleanser to either your palm, cleaning mat, or my personal bargain favorite, a rice paddle (make sure to use a rice paddle with ridges or bumps for most effective cleaning)!  Gently massage and swirl the bristles into the cleanser - you will be able to see the excess product coming off of the brush.  Rinse the brush head with lukewarm water and gently tap off the water from the bristles with a cloth or paper towel.  Reshape the brush head and most importantly, dry the brushes with the brush head and bristles facing downward!  Do not dry the brushes upright - you want to prevent water from getting into the handle of the brush as it can affect the glue holding the bristles in place and can cause the head of the brush to become loose.  While you are washing and rinsing, also try not to get the brush handle wet.  I usually hang the brush heads downward over the edge of my bathroom counter, using a small wash cloth to support only the handles and prevent the brushes from sliding off.  Do not dry the brush heads on a towel as the brushes can become mildewed. 

A few of the products that I use to cleanse my makeup tools are the Ecotools Makeup Brush Shampoo, the Daiso Puff Sponge Detergent, and the Beautyblender Liquid Blendercleanser.  They are all very effective, thus due to their more affordable price point, I highly recommend the Ecotools Makeup Brush Shampoo, which is available at Target for $4.69 for 6 fluid oz, as well as the Daiso Puff Sponge Detergent, which I purchased during my last trip to Japan for 100 yen (less than $1 for 2.7 fluid oz).  While there are some Daiso stores in the U.S., the Daiso cleanser may be more difficult to find.  The Beautyblender Liquid Blendercleanser is great but more expensive at $18 for 5 fluid oz at Sephora.  

Clean tools will apply makeup better and will prevent skin and eye irritation.  Keep cleaning your brushes and sponges regularly!