The (Gross) Reason You Should Clean Your Makeup Brushes ASAP
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Confession: Despite my sunny disposition on social media, in real life, my apartment can become… a bit of a mess. The current state of my beauty product collection is proof. Every morning, when I get ready to do my makeup, I pull my products out of—wait for it—a gallon-size Ziploc bag. Isn’t that just embarrassing? To make the situation even worse: I’m pretty sure my foundation bottle accidentally spilled a bit inside the bag and… I have yet to clean up the mess. (According to TikTok, there could be deep-rooted reasons for the clutter in my life, but I’ll let my therapist dig deeper into that one during my next session.)
Listen, I really, really want to be neat, clean, and organized 24/7, but there’s not enough time—or more accurately, I don’t dedicate enough time—to cleaning out my “makeup bag.” And that means the tools I use every day (Saie buffing brush, Beautyblender sponge, and Makeup by Mario powder brush) are not exactly thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis. But I really should be washing them weekly, because while I can’t see them…
There are teeny-tiny mites and a whole lot of bacteria making a home in my brushes’ bristles.
First of all, that’s just plain gross. Second of all, it can negatively affect my skin via irritation and future breakouts. The creepy crawlies could also be the reason my base makeup application is… not its best some days. "Brush hairs and sponges are porous, so they hold onto oils, debris, and bacteria," makeup artist Ashleigh Ciucci previously told Allure. "If your brushes are dirty, your application will be spotty and blending will be difficult."
All this to say, I need to Do Better™, which means decluttering and deep-cleaning—and I’m starting with my makeup tools. Here’s how:
Step #1: Take inventory
Before I can start cleaning anything, I should probably take a good look at what I have, ditch the Ziploc, and find a new home for my products. Maybe I’ll try this water-resistant toiletry tote from Dagne Dover.
Step #2: Suds up
Once I’ve figured out what I want to keep and what is past the point of no return (makeup sponge, your days are numbered), it’s time to grab my cleaning supplies—and, according to makeup artists, these should just be dish soap and water. You’d think rubbing alcohol would be helpful here, but it can actually dry out the bristles and cause them to become brittle. So instead, I'll use the Cinema Secrets makeup brush cleanser, squeeze away excess moisture with a towel, and lay them flat to dry, so they keep their shape.
Step #3: Rinse and repeat
I’d like to make this cleansing session a weekly occurrence. Check back in with me next week to see how I’m doing. (Actually, please don’t.)
Step #4: Apply this to other items in my beauty routine
My nightly silk eye mask also needs to be washed weekly, and luckily, I already follow this rule to a T.
And that’s how I’m going to get my beauty life together. So long, Ziploc bag!
Reader Question
How do I get rid of bumps on the side of my nose?
— asks Anonymous Allure Reader
You’ll want to see a dermatologist, but bumps on the side of the nose could be comedonal acne. "It’s formed when excessive sebum [the oil your skin produces to hydrate and protect] is combined with dead skin cells, bacteria, and dirt to clog pores," dermatologist Michele Green, MD, previously told Allure. Because it’s non-inflammatory, these types of breakouts don’t cause redness, pain, or pus.
So how do you get rid of them? Try adding a salicylic acid-based product to your skin-care routine. This could be in the form of a cleanser or a toner, like the CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser and the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.
Have a burning skin-care question? Send one in.
Editor's Pick
FACIAL MIST: Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray
Made of hypocholorous acid, which is antimicrobial
Cleans skin (and makeup brushes!) in a pinch
Great for all skin types, including sensitive
News Alert
"Ozempic may change your skin."
Over the last year, some plastic surgeons have noticed that an Ozempic patient’s skin looks and acts older than they would otherwise expect—sometimes, it’s like an “old, overused rubber band,” plastic surgeon Julius Few, MD, recently told Allure.
Book Club
Honey by Isabel Banta
★★★★☆ 1/2
When I was growing up in the ‘90s and 2000s (phew, really aged myself there 😅), pop princesses and boy bands reigned supreme—and this nostalgia-inducing book, which follows a young singer starting out fresh in Hollywood, brought me right back to my pre-teen self, screaming lyrics on repeat in my pink, poster-covered bedroom.
Originally Appeared on Allure
