The go-to, unforgettable, O.G. of makeup brushes, you know who it is – our trusty concealer brush. Could it be that our old friend who has helped us hide those pesky, last-minute breakouts has a few blemishes of its own?
Why Clean?
The condition of your concealer brush can make or break your look. Cleaning your concealer brush regularly is a lot like doing your laundry. When you wash your clothes regularly, they last longer, perform better, and simply put, clean feels better.
The same is true with makeup brushes. The brush fibers are porous, which means they can catch and hold onto oil, dirt, and debris, leading to the very breakouts that we’re trying to keep at bay.
Not keeping your concealer brush clean also shortens the lifespan and quality of the brush. As the bristles hold more and more junk over time, it can make application spotty and blending more difficult.
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Cleaning is an essential part of the longevity and top performance of our brushes. Most importantly, it ensures the health of our skin.
What Can I Use to Clean My Concealer Brush?
If you took one look at your concealer brush and thought it looked a little gnarly, don’t worry about buying a fancy cleanser or special device to clean it!
Cleaning your concealer brush is affordable and easy to do with supplies you already have on hand. All you need is some warm water, gentle soap(such as a mild facial cleanser, liquid dish soap, shampoo, or baby soap), and a clean, dry towel or paper towel.
How Do I Clean a Concealer Brush?
1. Wash your hands (don’t transfer oil, dirt, and germs from your hands to your newly cleaned brush!)
2. Wet the top of the brush head with warm water
Please note: Keep the base of the brush head (where the bristles meet the metal or handle) away from soap and water. This part of the brush is called the ferrule (as in Will Ferrell). It is where the bristles are held to the handle by glue. Water can loosen this bond, causing the bristles to fall out over time.
3. Apply a small amount of cleanser (any that you chose from the suggestions above) into the palm of your hand
4. Rub the tip of the bristles in the cleanser, doing so gently
5. Rinse the bristles thoroughly to remove all cleanser
6. Squeeze remaining water out with a clean, dry towel or paper towel
7. If needed, shape bristle back to its original shape
8. Roll up one end of your towel/paper towel, then place the brush handle on the rolled-up portion with bristles slanting downward. This placement will decrease the risk of water settling in the ferrule and interfering with the glue.
9. Let it dry for a couple of hours.
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How Often Should I Clean My Concealer Brush?
A lot of that depends on how often you use your concealer brush. However, at the very least, you should wipe off the excess concealer onto a clean paper towel after each application. You should then follow the above instructions at least once a week, especially if you’re using your concealer brush every day.
Even if you only used your brush once a week, the dirt, oil, and debris from that one time will just be waiting for you the next time you need to use your brush. So it’s best to clean your concealer brush frequently.
Your go-to, trusty sidekick will be there for many years to come with the help of this simple concealer brush cleaning routine. Not only will your brushes thank you, but your skin will too.
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