We Aim To Slay

Happy April! It may be April Fools Day but this is no joking matter – when was the last time you washed your makeup brushes?

The list of excuses is endless – “I didn’t have time,” “They aren’t even that bad,” or even “I don’t even know how to clean them!” – but the truth is simple: anything making contact with our faces needs frequent cleaning!

The Importance of Clean Brushes

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, your makeup brushes could be contributing to any number of skin and health issues: “In addition to collecting product residue, dirt and oil, makeup brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria. This could compromise your complexion – in the form of acne breakouts and rashes – as well as your health. Dirty makeup brushes  can cause an infection, such as a fungal infection, E. coli, or a staph infection.” 

For these reasons, AAD recommends washing your brushes every 7 to 10 days, and using the following process:

• Rinse the tips of your brushes under lukewarm, running water to remove residual makeup. Only rinse the tip, as submerging the whole brush head will eventually dissolve the glue that connects the brush head to the handle.
• Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and a tablespoon of either gentle shampoo or clarifying shampoo. Using plain soap and water can dry out the bristles.
• Swirl each brush tip in the bowl. For a good lather, you can also massage each brush tip in the palm of your hand.
• Rinse the brush tips under running water.
• Continue shampooing and rinsing each brush until the water runs clear from the brush.
• Squeeze out excess moisture with a clean, dry paper towel.
• Lay your brushes flat to dry on a towel with the tips hanging off the edge of the counter. Do not dry your brushes upright in a container, as this will cause the water to run down the brushes, loosening the glue that connects the brush head with the handle.

On a more superficial level, I doubt I’m alone in having favorite brushes – the ones I always reach for when I crave exacting results. And I doubt I’m the only person who has dipped their shadow brush into a light color, only to apply a much darker shadow because I didn’t wipe the brush off first. And, another reminder from the AAD, be very careful about sharing your brushes without sanitizing!

My Favorite Products and Process!

Over the years I’ve been on the hunt for the most efficient and effective way to clean all of my brushes and sponges; testing devices such as Miracleaner Makeup Brush Cleaner and solid cleansers like these ones by Beauty Blender and Sephora Collection. I was shocked to learn via TikTok that there are people who simply throw away their dirty brushes and replace them. Not only do I find that astounding, but it’s an incredibly wasteful and environmentally-impactful problem.

After their initial uses: I found the Miracleaner to be a tedious and messy process; I wasn’t nearly as impressed by the Beauty Blender solid cleanser as I was by the Sephora Collection cleanser, but I did keep the B.B., container and the silicone scrubby pads from each one!

Earlier this year I bought my first liquid brush cleanser by Real Techniques – the Miracle Deep Brush + Sponge Cleansing Gel. I’ve been a longtime fan of this brand and have used their brushes for years, so I was excited to try another one of their products!

On first use, I legitimately washed every single makeup brush, sponge, and pouf I owned. I immediately noticed the faint but pleasant scent – something between a fruity and a floral, that I can’t quite identify – and found that when used with a silicone brush scrubbing pad it was quite effective!

The most impressive thing about this product was the dry time. For as long as I can remember I’ve dried my brushes by laying them flat on a hand towel, and there they would sit for at least two days before being dry enough for use. With this cleanser my brushes are dry before a full 24 hours have passed. 

During my first few uses I felt like I was going through so much product; it seemed as if I was adding more cleanser to my container for each brush I washed. This was due in part to how dirty my brushes were – I’ve found that you’ll know the brush is clean if you scrub until the cleanser foams and washes away clear. On my most recent cleaning adventure, I started by adding a fair amount of the cleanser to my container before picking up a brush, and needed to refill my container less frequently.

What Do You Think?

Are you the kind of person who replaces or washes your makeup brushes? If you’re replacing them; I’d love to hear what brands you’re selecting and where you’re purchasing, and if you’re washing your brushes; share your method and products in the comments below!

I’ll be back next week to kick off everyone’s favorite season – vacation season! 

Have a great rest of your week, and remember to SLAY!