The Ultimate Guide to Makeup Kit Sanitation Part 2: The Tools

We contour, highlight, conceal, and enhance our beauty with them. We use them at the start of our day and before a night out. We turn to them when we want to feel beautiful and confident.

Our makeup tools do a lot for us. But how often do we return the favor?

In part one we discussed keeping your makeup products sanitary. 

Here, in part 2 of makeup kit sanitation, we have gathered some of the most effective ways you can clean and sanitize your makeup brushes, sponges, and tools. 

Everyday Maintenance

Everyday maintenance will keep things in tip-top shape. 

If you have acne or any other skin condition, lightly cleaning your makeup tools each day will prevent further breakouts or irritations.

Makeup Brushes

It's not necessary to deep clean your makeup brushes every single day, however, it is a good idea to sanitize your brushes after each use. This can be done super quickly using a spray bottle full of isopropyl alcohol or a brush cleaner. Simply spray each side of your brush and gently swirl the excess makeup off onto a paper towel or hand towel. This isn't going to get all the product off, but it will prevent bacteria from colonizing your tools. 

Makeup Sponges

When using reusable makeup sponges like the beauty blender, ideally wash your sponge each day. Another option is to collect a number of blenders so you can use a new one each day and on your deep clean day wash them all at once.

The Deep Clean

Depending on how much makeup you put on and how frequently will dictate how often you should deep clean your makeup tools and products. 

As a general rule of thumb if you're doing your makeup each day, deep clean your makeup tools once a week. Makeup and debris build up inside your tools over time, even with daily maintenance. Brushes and sponges are porous, so they hold onto products and bacteria. This bacteria can transfer onto your skin causing breakouts and irritations. 

Additionally, your makeup brushes will last much longer and your makeup will go on smoother when you clean them regularly.



Makeup Brushes

One of the most important things to deep clean is your makeup brushes.

There are a few effective ways to wash the bristles.

The Soaking Method - Fill a tall cup or vase with enough lukewarm water to immerse the bristles of all your brushes. Add a tablespoon of antibacterial soap to the water and mix together gently (you don't need bubbles). Place all your brushes into the container bristles down, using more cups as needed if you have a lot of brushes. Let them enjoy a nice soak for about 20 minutes. Rinse each brush in lukewarm water, squeezing the water out of the bristles until the water runs clear. 

 

The Handwash Way - Using lukewarm water, wash your brushes with antibacterial or baby soap onto the palm of your hand until the water runs clear. It's even easier to be gentle on your bristles using a washing mat. Some brush mats have different grooves for each kind of brush you may have. These grooves break apart makeup buildup like a dream.

Using Olive Oil - SoCal makeup artist, Rachel Bellew, told us how she likes to clean her brushes if they are used for liquid makeup, “If the brush is used for cream or liquid products, I will rub a drop of olive oil through the bristles to break up the product, then cleanse with Castile soap to remove the oil." Using oil will also help condition the bristles.

PRO TIP: Don't forget the handles of your brushes. Spray isopropyl alcohol onto the handles and wipe them clean or wash them in the sink with soap and water.

Also, take care when drying your makeup brushes.

Always make sure the bristles are facing down since water can loosen the glue holding them in place. If you don't have a fancy brush drying rack, use a small rolled-up towel to prop up your brush handles an inch or two so the brush is at an angle with the bristles pointed down. 

Eyebrow Brushes

Eyebrow brushes get caked with product and skin particles over time. Spray the bristles with isopropyl alcohol and wipe onto a towel.

If there's a brush cap involved, give the inside a good spray and let it air dry. 

Sponges/ Beauty Sponges

Getting beauty sponges clean can be tricky if you don't know what to do. 

To get all the product out and the product stains, use a bar of soap and lukewarm water. Get the sponge wet until it has enlarged. Underneath running water, scrub your sponge onto the bar of soap. Once it has been covered in soap, proceed to fill the sponge up with water and squeeze it out until the water runs clear.

"Afterward, microwave your fully wet sponges for 1-2 minutes to kill any leftover bacteria that may be in the center of the sponge." MUA Rachel Bellew, continues, "Beauty sponges should be replaced every 3-6 months because they are constantly wet and have a higher chance of growing bacteria deep inside the sponge."

Makeup Bags/ Containers

It would be silly to go through all that work just to put your makeup into a dirty container. 

If you have a fabric makeup bag you can put it in the laundry. Wash on a gentle cycle with warm water. 

For makeup drawers and cases, spray them down with antibacterial surface cleaner or alcohol and wipe away any product or debris. 

In Conclusion

Keeping your makeup kit clean and sanitized will lengthen the lives of your tools while keeping your skin free from bacteria.

We hope these tips helped you out! Stay tuned for Part 3 where we talk about keeping your skin sanitized when applying makeup.