How To Clean A Foundation Brush

I will be the first to admit that from time to time I can get quite lazy when it comes to my makeup. I love doing my makeup, but can be lazy when it comes to cleaning my makeup tools – especially if I am in a hurry.

More than once I have skipped on using a foundation brush or a stippling brush just to save the hassle of cleaning the brushes for a day or two longer. That laziness means that I am sacrificing the opportunity to have the flawless airbrushed makeup look that my foundation brush and stippling brush will give me.

Clean your foundation brush using mild soap or shampoo. Place a little soap in the palm of one hand and swirl the bristles in the soap. Rinse and repeat till the brush is clean taking care to keep the brush handle dry at all times. Dry the brush flat with a clean paper towel or washcloth.

Let’s take a closer look at how to clean your foundation brushes effectively so that you don’t start slipping into the same bad habits that I used to have.

How To Clean A Foundation Brush

Foundation is essentially one of the very first steps in your daily makeup routine. You apply foundation after your makeup primer. Both products can be applied to your complexion using a foundation brush.

Because you use your foundation brush so often, it needs to be cleaned frequently. Besides being clogged up with oil from your skin, and leftover makeup debris, a dirty foundation brush is a prime breeding ground for bacteria.

Dirty foundation brushes also just don’t work as well as clean brushes. What I mean is that when your foundation brush is already covered in leftover makeup, it won’t be as effective at applying a fresh face of foundation the next time you need to use it.

The good news is that you don’t need any fancy tools or cleansing products to give your foundation brush a good clean even though there are products available that will help.

Here are my tips for cleaning your foundation brushes like a makeup pro.

Use A Mild Cleanser Or Soap To Clean Foundation Brushes

If you have already bought a product that is specifically formulated to clean makeup brushes, then use that. But if you haven’t done so, don’t worry. A mild, gentle soap will be suitable for doing the job. Soap, a gentle shampoo, or facial cleanser will all be able to break down any lingering makeup and oil on the brush adequately and do so without damaging the bristles.

Use Your Hands To Clean Your Foundation Brushes

Once you have chosen the cleanser you plan to use, you’ll need to know how best to use it. Nine times out of ten what I find works best is I simply place a bit of my chosen cleanser in the palm of my hand. I then wet my brush bristles and swirl the brush around on my hand to loosen up the debris from the bristles. After swirling the brush for a few moments, I’ll give it a good rinse. I then repeat the whole process once or twice more until my brush feels clean.

Sometimes this gentle method just isn’t enough to get the residue cleaned from my foundation brush. For a more robust cleaning, I use a washcloth instead of my palm.

Lay Your Wet Brushes Down Flat After Cleaning

If you are like me, you might store your foundation brush upright with your other makeup brushes. That is totally fine, but don’t let them dry upright. Drying your foundation brush upright can actually ruin the handle of your brush because water can drip and run down the sides. You took the time to keep your brush handle dry while you were cleaning it, so don’t undo your good work by drying it upright.

What you should do instead is grab a clean paper towel or washcloth and lay your wet foundation brush down on top of it. Leave the brush to dry there for at least a couple of hours before you return it to its normal upright position in your makeup brush holder.

I’ll clean my makeup brushes at the start of laundry/housecleaning day, and by the time I am finished with my other chores, my brushes are dry.

How Often Should You Clean Your Foundation Brush

Now that you know exactly how to clean your foundation brush the way that I do, the obvious question is how often you should actually be going through all of these steps.

In general, you should clean your foundation brush once a week. You may need to clean your brush more regularly depending on how much foundation you apply each day and how often you use your foundation brush. Always apply makeup to clean skin to keep your brush cleaner for longer.

How To Clean A Foundation Blender

Do you use a makeup blender as often, or more often than a foundation brush? The good news is that you can clean your foundation blender using a similar method as you would for a brush. Wash your makeup blender with the same gentle soap and water, squeeze out the excess water, and store it in a cool, dry place.

I wash my makeup brushes and blenders at the same time, although I only start washing my blenders after I have finished washing my brushes. Washing my blenders leaves me with slightly damp fingers and I want to keep my brush handles dry.

Why not expand your knowledge even further by reading another makeup/beauty article here on Pink Femme. You can find them either via the menu at the top of the page or by clicking this link that will take you to the list of all the beauty articles.

When it comes to my choices for makeup and beauty products, I only use  L’Oréal Paris (Available on Amazon). I have really sensitive skin and never once have I had any negative reaction to any L’Oréal product.