This is How to Really Take Care of Your Makeup Brushes

Every makeup guru knows the key to a successful makeup look lies in the tools you use — especially the makeup brushes you swipe, dust and fluff with daily. We chatted with Giorgio Armani Celebrity Makeup Artist Tim Quinn about the best practices to keep your makeup brushes happy and healthy – and here’s what we learned. 

Protect Your Brushes With a Fortress

Taking care of your bristles starts with making sure they are protected in storage. “Keep your brushes protected from you makeup in a separate pouch for your bag,” Quinn says. “And at home, keep them covered to prevent dust from accumulating.” Keeping them covered will also protect them from other air-borne pollutants that can cause bacteria.

Scrub a Dub Dub

“Wash your personal brushes with shampoo once a week to keep them in top shape,” Quinn notes. This will especially help your makeup from looking muddy, since makeup tends to build up in the bristles. We recommend using a gentle baby shampoo for this step, or a few drops of the Redken Clean Maniac Micellar Shampoo to cleanse away cosmetic grime. “I also love using PureBrush — a dry spray that cleans and sanitizes — great for blush, powder and eyeshadow brushes,” Quinn adds.

Keep Your Makeup Brushes Cool  

The number one thing to avoid when it comes to keeping your brushes healthy? Heat and humidity. “I like to keep them away from the bathroom for storage as they tend to absorb moisture in a humid bathroom,” says Quinn. He also warns against attempting to dry your brushes with a blowdryer. “Do not use a hot hairdryer,” he says. “I’ve learned from experience they can singe!” So don’t try that at home.