How to Clean your Beauty Tools

Using dirty makeup brushes and beauty tools can leave less-than desirable results when it comes to your makeup and skin. Learn how to properly clean your beauty tools with products you most likely have lying around the house.

Makeup Brushes

Since brushes need ample time to dry (usually overnight) after a good cleaning, we recommend having a spare to use in the meantime. Concealer and foundation brushes should be washed at least once a week to prevent product build-up and bacteria formation.

1. Wet the brush with plain, cool water. Tip: try to only wet the bristles so you don’t ruin your brush by weakening the adhesive that holds the brush to its handle.
2. Place a dab of gentle shampoo or face cleanser in the palm of your hand and swirl the brush through the cleanser, making sure it gets into the center.
3. Rinse with plan water, doing your best to keep the handle dry.
4. Gently squeeze the water out of the bristles. Lay your brush on a towel to air dry overnight before using.

Tip: If you want to create a fun eye shadow look but only have one brush handy, try our Instant Brush Cleaner-just swipe your eye shadow brush against the sponge to instantly remove product.

Eyelash Curler

Many people don’t think to clean their eyelash curler, but this tool can harbor harmful bacteria and affect your eye health. An eyelash curler should be cleaned once per week (daily if you’re experiencing an eye infection).

1. Wet a cotton round or ball with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide and wipe down the areas that come into contact with your eyes.
2. Rinse with plain, cool water (forgetting to thoroughly rinse could result in damage to the rubber components of your curler).
3. Air dry on a clean towel.

Lip/eyebrow/eyeliner sharpeners

Here’s another tool a lot of people forget to clean. If you think about it, each time we sharpen our used cosmetic pencils, there’s a good chance cross-contamination can happen.

1. Dip a cotton swab into some rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide and carefully clean the edges of the sharpener.
2. Rinse really well with cool water and air dry.

Curling/Flat Irons

Mixing hair products and heat from styling tools can lead to major gunk build-up which can sabotage your hair health and style.

1. Unplug the appliance and make sure it’s completely cool.
2. Wet a cotton ball or cotton round with rubbing alcohol and go over the sticky surfaces several times (you may need several balls or rounds to complete the process).
3. Wipe down with a damp cloth to remove alcohol, then dry with a soft cloth.