How to Clean Makeup Brushes

What You'll Need

• Soap-Man Lemon Glow Dish Soap
• Olive oil or coconut oil
• Warm water
• Clean towel
• Silicone brush cleaning mat (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   Wet the bristles

   Hold the brush bristles pointing down under warm running water. Only wet the bristles, not the ferrule (metal part) where water loosens the glue.

2. 2

   Apply cleanser

   Mix a drop of Lemon Glow Dish Soap with a drop of olive oil in your palm. The soap cleans while oil conditions and dissolves stubborn makeup.

3. 3

   Swirl and lather

   Swirl the brush in your palm or on a silicone cleaning mat until the lather runs clean. Rinse under warm water repeatedly.

4. 4

   Reshape and dry flat

   Gently squeeze out excess water, reshape the bristles, and lay the brush flat on a clean towel with bristles hanging off the edge.

Pro Tips

• TIPDry brushes flat or angled downward. Standing upright lets water seep into the ferrule and loosens the glue holding bristles.
• TIPClean foundation and concealer brushes weekly. Powder brushes every 2 weeks. Eye brushes weekly.
• TIPThe olive oil step is the secret to removing waterproof and long-wear makeup that soap alone can't dissolve.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• XSoaking brushes in water, which loosens the glue in the ferrule and causes bristle shedding.
• XDrying brushes standing upright in a cup, which lets water run into the ferrule and rots the handle.
• XUsing hot water, which melts the glue faster and can damage natural hair bristles.

Frequently Asked Questions