How To Clean Your Brushes At Home

We get it, cleaning your makeup brushes can be a tiresome task. However, not washing your makeup brushes can cause a nasty build up of bacteria, oil, dirt and excess products to spread between your tools and face, leading to numerous skin issues, such as blemishes, clogged pores and skin reactions.

Take makeup artist, Florrie White, as an example. White describes her brushes as extensions of her fingers and is diligent about washing her tools."All used brushes are washed after every shoot, and some favourites are washed during the shoot so they are clean for retouches," she says.

So how should you wash them? Here, we take you through the best way to deep clean your makeup brushes, step-by-step, so you have no more excuses for using dirty tools...

The GHI's guide for cleaning makeup brushes

Wet

Wet the fibres of your makeup brush with warm water – try to ensure that your brush is facing downwards.

Cleanse

Gently cleanse your brush using your chosen cleaning product and allow it to lather.
To get a deep clean, swirl the brush on the palm of your hand or on a specialised brush-cleaning glove.
Try not to use a brush cleaner that is alcohol-based, as this can dry out the brushes. Instead, try mixing a teaspoon of melted coconut oil into your cleansing solution. This will help to remove any dirt from the brushes and keep them soft.

Rinse

Using warm water, wash the cleansing product out of your brushes until the water runs clearly.
Once finished, gently squeeze out excess wash and use your fingers to restructure the bristles into their original shape.

Dry

Lay your brushes out to dry, ensuring that the bristles are hanging over the edge of your surface. Doing this will allow the fibres to dry quickly and evenly, as air can reach the brush from all sides.
Top tip from Florrie: 'Lay your brushes flat to dry as opposed to standing up in a jar, as the moisture can run down the handles. This will loosen the glue around the joint where the hair is bound to the handle (the ferrule) and come apart.'

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For a deep rinse

Sometimes, your brushes might be in need of some extra love.

For a deep clean, we like Dr. Bonner's Pure Castille Liquid Soap. Organic and free from preservatives, it is the ideal product for a spot of brush cleaning. Its gentle formula lathers up easily, allowing you to deep clean and get all the dirt and grime off your fibres.

For soft bristles

Virgin or unrefined coconut oil is ideal for conditioning your brush and keeping the fibres extra soft without using any harmful ingredients. Try Vita Coconut Oil to keep your beauty applicators feeling super soft.

Coconut oil has some other advantages too. It has anti-bacterial properties so will help to rid your brushes of any unfriendly bacteria. Also, it can be used on hair, so any excess can be used for a hair mask!

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For a quick clean

Brush cleaning isn't something most of us look forward to. It can often be a laborious and mundane task.

But this Real Techniques Brush Cleansing Palette is here to save time for beauty lovers everywhere. It can cut washing time in half and save you from circled foundation stains on your palms. It's an effective and inexpensive alternative to Sigma's Spa Brush Cleaning Glove.

For sponges

With makeup sponges rising in popularity, it's vital to keep them as clean as your brushes to keep bacteria at bay.

Liquid cleansers can be tricky as too much product can get into the sponge and leave it hard after drying. To keep sponges soft, we like the BeautyBlender Pure Solid Cleanser. It comes with a silicone pad to allow deep cleansing and the packaging makes it ideal for travel.

Here are some other tips on how to clean a beauty blender.

Best makeup organisers to store and display your beauty products in

Multi-Function Make Up Case Dustproof Cosmetic Storage Box

BTGGG amazon.co.uk

£44.99

This stylish design may look compact but it offers plenty of space. Made from non-toxic plastic, it has three layers - the top for large bottles like toners and foundations; the middle for palettes, lipsticks and eyeshadows and the bottom for things like sheet masks and cotton pads. We love that it comes with a covered top too - no chance of dust getting in there.

Unique Impression Set of 15 Drawer Organiser Trays

Unique Impression amazon.co.uk

£20.00

If you'd rather not have your makeup organiser on display, these draw dividers are an excellent solution. They come in packs of 11 or 15 organisers depending on how many you need and have silicone feet so they don't slip while in situ.

Clear glass make-up organiser

Most containers tend to be completely clear but if you're after a punchier design to go with your interiors then we love this makeup organiser by H&M. Available in both black and gold, the back consists of three compartments designed for the likes of eyeliners and brushes as well as lip pencils while the two front larger sections are great for bulker products like foundations, nail polishes or serums.

Baeli Makeup Storage Box

If you're looking for a smaller makeup organiser for just the essentials to be on display then this is a great option. It will keep your daily products neat and easy to reach for without cramming your vanity table.

Best makeup organisers

Mirror Base Gold Metal Makeup Brush & Lipstick Holder, £28

Oliver Bonas

This elegant gold metal and mirrored makeup brush and lipstick holder is oh-so-elegant. It makes finding that one eyeshadow brush you always need so much easier.

Best makeup organisers

Display4top Acrylic Cosmetics Organiser

This acrylic option offers 12 different drawers for all of your makeup, skincare products and brushes. This is an excellent option for those that have way too much makeup but can't face parting with any of it.

Deror Lipstick Stand

Are you a self-confessed lipstick junkie? Well, this will revolutionise your storage space. With 24 slots, it will be easy to see and access each of your shades at the glance of an eye.

Best makeup organisers

Deco Express Rotating Makeup Organiser

This vintage-feel option offers rotating trays for added convenience. Chic and useful, thanks to the 30 separate storage sections.

Best makeup organisers

Sunficon Makeup Organiser Tray

This neat makeup organiser tray is perfect for your dressing table, bedside table or bathroom counter. Once filled, you'll see just how pretty all of your favourite products look.

Best makeup organisers

White Marble Make Up Organiser Tray, £20

Not On The High Street

This stylish marble makeup organiser would make a lovely addition to your dressing table. Perfect for displaying cosmetics and skincare products.

Best makeup organisers

Boxalls Rotating Makeup Organiser

Another rotating option offering maximum storage with minimum fuss. It even has adjustable shelves so you can make it work perfectly for your products. We love the crystal-effect acrylic design too.

Best makeup organisers

Fairmont Park Octavia Mirrored Storage Caddy

We love the vintage feel to this gold mirrored makeup storage caddy, which you can also use to hold everything from skincare to jewellery and perfume.

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