How to Clean Makeup Brushes Properly

Wash brushes weekly with gentle shampoo and lukewarm water, reshape while damp, and lay flat to dry.

People baby their brushes like they're made of silk when they should treat them like the tools they are—clean them properly and they'll last years, neglect them and wonder why their makeup looks muddy.

1. Rinse with lukewarm water. Hold brush bristles downward under lukewarm running water. Keep water away from the ferrule where bristles meet handle—water here loosens the glue that holds your brush together.
2. Work in gentle cleanser. Drop baby shampoo or gentle cleanser into your palm. Gently swirl brush in your palm to work up a lather. The foam should lift color and buildup from the bristles without aggressive scrubbing.
3. Rinse until water runs clear. Continue rinsing downward until no soap or color comes out. This usually takes longer than you think—foundation brushes especially hold onto product stubbornly.
4. Reshape and dry flat. Gently squeeze out excess water with a clean towel, reshape bristles to their original form, then lay flat on a towel to dry. Standing brushes upright while wet can cause water to seep into the ferrule and loosen bristles.