How Often Should You Really Clean Your Makeup Brushes?

We all know we should probably be washing our makeup brushes more often.

But how often is actually enough?

As both a working makeup artist and the Brand Director of MOB & KO, I’ve cleaned more makeup brushes than I would ever care to count, and looking after your brushes properly makes a much bigger difference than people realise.

Not only to how long they last, but to how your makeup actually looks on your skin.

So, how often should you clean your brushes?

The answer depends on whether you’re using them professionally or just on yourself.

For makeup artists, the standard has to be much stricter.

A clean brush for every new client is an absolute must. Brushes should be thoroughly sanitised between clients using an appropriate professional brush cleanser, then given a full shampoo wash at the end of the working day and left to dry properly overnight.

For personal use at home, it’s a little more realistic.

A clean brush will always give you a better application, so ideally I’d love everyone to wash their brushes after every use, but I know that’s not always going to happen.

Personally, I wouldn’t let mine go much longer than a week without a proper clean or freshen-up.

The main thing is not allowing makeup, oils and build-up to sit on your brushes for weeks on end.

How do you know your brushes need washing?

You’ll normally be able to tell from the brush itself first.

Product starts to build up, the hairs begin sticking together and the brush head can feel noticeably stiffer.

When you use it, that build-up can start affecting how your makeup applies too.

You may notice streaks, patchiness or liquid products gathering in certain areas because the brush hairs aren’t moving as freely as they should.

Brow brushes can become particularly dense when old product builds up, and eyeshadow brushes can carry pigment from previous shades into your next makeup look.

Your skin may give you a clue too. Brushes hold onto makeup, oils and residue, so if you suddenly notice more congestion, little under-the-skin bumps, breakouts or irritation, your brushes are definitely one of the things worth checking.

The biggest brush-cleaning mistake

One of the biggest mistakes people make is getting too much water or cleaning solution into the ferrule.

The ferrule is the metal section where the brush hairs are secured and attached to the handle. Repeatedly soaking that area can weaken the glue over time and eventually cause the brush head to loosen.

I’d also avoid getting alcohol-based cleaners on painted wooden handles, as they can damage the finish.

When you’re actually washing your brushes, there’s no need to attack them.

Use light circular motions or very gentle back-and-forth movements, then reshape the brush head with your fingers once you’re finished so the hairs dry back into their intended position.

Finally, lay your brushes flat on something absorbent, like a clean towel or kitchen roll, while they dry.

You don’t want excess water travelling down into the ferrule.

What should you wash your brushes with?

Personally, I actually love the red Fairy antibacterial washing-up liquid for a deep clean.

It gets product build-up out really well and leaves the brushes feeling super clean.

I use a small amount, work it gently through the brush hairs, rinse thoroughly and make sure I keep the water away from the ferrule.

A dedicated brush shampoo or gentle brush cleanser is another great option.

For professional use, I’ll also use an isopropyl alcohol-based brush cleaner for sanitising between clients, but for a proper wash, a good brush cleanser is my go-to.

What about the Spuffy?

The Spuffy needs slightly different care.

For a quick clean, I’ll lightly spray isopropyl alcohol onto the Spuffy, or onto a piece of kitchen roll, and gently work it across the surface.

I wouldn’t submerge the Spuffy directly into alcohol.

For a deeper clean, you can wash it under warm running water with the tiniest amount of shampoo or cleanser.

Gently work the product through and you’ll actually see the makeup coming out as you rinse.

You really don’t need much cleanser, and make sure it’s rinsed thoroughly afterwards and left to air dry completely.

Do clean brushes really make your makeup look better?

Absolutely.

I think people massively underestimate how much clean brushes affect the finish of their makeup.

A clean brush gives you a much truer version of the product you’re actually using.

If your foundation brush is holding onto old product, especially product that has oxidised, it can alter the colour of your foundation and make it appear warmer or more orange.

With powders, leftover product can mix with the new shade and change the colour payoff.

The same goes for eyeshadow brushes, where even a little bit of a darker shade left behind can completely affect your blend.

Clean brushes don’t just look nicer.

They help your makeup perform the way it was supposed to.

When does a brush actually need replacing?

You’ll know a brush genuinely needs replacing when you start noticing increased shedding, the brush head feels loose or the brush itself looks noticeably thinner than it used to.

But a lot of how long your brushes last comes down to how you care for them.

If you clean them properly, avoid soaking the ferrule and store them well, they can last for years.

I’ve got some brushes that are around seven years old and still in perfect working order.

Look after your brushes and they’ll look after your makeup.