How to Clean Makeup Brushes with Alcohol

Makeup brushes can accumulate dirt, oil, and bacteria over time, which can lead to skin issues and affect the application of your makeup. Regularly cleaning your brushes with alcohol can help maintain their cleanliness and extend their lifespan. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to clean makeup brushes using alcohol, including dipping brushes into alcohol, spraying brushes with alcohol, and cleaning the handles with alcohol.

Method 1: Dipping Brushes into Alcohol

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

You will need:

• Isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher)

• A shallow bowl

• A clean towel

• A comb or your fingers for reshaping the brushes

Step 2: Pour Alcohol into a Shallow Bowl

Pour a small amount of alcohol into a shallow dish. The bowl should not be too deep because you do not want to dip the entire brush into the alcohol.

Step 3: Swish the Brush Around

Dip only the bristles into the alcohol, ensuring that the barrel of the brush does not get wet. Swirl the brush around in the alcohol for approximately 10 to 20 seconds. You will notice makeup starting to come off the brush, and the alcohol will likely change color.

Step 4: Wipe the Bristles on a Towel

Remove the bristles from the alcohol and wipe them on a clean towel. Avoid using a new or nice towel, as the makeup may stain it. Consider setting aside an old towel for this purpose.

Step 5: Repeat Until the Alcohol is Clear

Dump the used alcohol down the drain and refill the dish with fresh alcohol. Dip the brush back into the alcohol and swirl around again. Pat it dry on the towel. Continue this process until no more makeup comes off the brush in the alcohol solution, indicating that the brush is clean.

Step 6: Squeeze and Reshape the Brushes

Once your brushes are clean, gently squeeze out any excess alcohol. This helps speed up the drying process. Use a comb or your fingers to reshape the bristles, ensuring they are all facing in the same direction.

Step 7: Lay Flat to Dry

Lay the brushes flat on a towel to dry. Small brushes will dry quickly, but larger brushes may take one or more hours to completely dry. Ensure the brushes are fully dry before using them again.

Method 2: Spraying Brushes with Alcohol

Step 1: Pour Alcohol into a Small Spray Bottle

Fill a small spray bottle with rubbing alcohol. This bottle can be easily found at your local drug store.

Step 2: Spray the Bristles with Alcohol

Lay your makeup brushes on a towel and spray the bristles with alcohol. Make sure the bristles are completely saturated. To do this, you may need to flip the brushes over and spray both sides.

Step 3: Wipe the Brush on a Towel

Once the brushes are saturated, wipe the bristles back and forth on a towel. You will see makeup coming off the brushes and onto the towel.

Step 4: Repeat Until Clean

Spray the brushes again with alcohol and wipe them off on the towel. Repeat this process until no more makeup comes off the brushes, indicating they are clean.

Step 5: Squeeze the Brushes

Once your makeup brushes are clean, use a towel to squeeze out any remaining alcohol. This will help speed up the drying process.

Step 6: Let the Brush Dry

After squeezing the bristles, reshape them and lay the brushes on a flat surface to dry. Do not use your makeup brushes until they are completely dry to avoid makeup clumping.

Method 3: Cleaning the Handles with Alcohol

Step 1: Dip a Paper Towel or Cloth into Alcohol

Dip a paper towel or cloth into a small dish of rubbing alcohol. This step helps to sanitize and disinfect the handles of your makeup brushes.

Step 2: Wipe the Handles with Alcohol

Squeeze out any excess alcohol to ensure it does not drip into the barrel of the brush. Wipe the handle thoroughly with the towel to disinfect it.

Step 3: Lay Flat to Dry

Once you have finished wiping down the handle, lay the brush on a flat surface to dry. Rubbing alcohol dries very quickly, so it should not take longer than 15 minutes to completely dry.

Conclusion

Regularly cleaning your makeup brushes with alcohol is essential for maintaining good hygiene and ensuring the longevity of your brushes. Whether you prefer dipping the brushes into alcohol, spraying them, or cleaning the handles, these methods are effective and easy to follow.

By keeping your brushes clean, you not only enhance the performance of your makeup application but also protect your skin from potential breakouts and infections. Make it a habit to clean your brushes at least once a month if you use them personally, and after every use if you are a makeup artist. This small investment of time will pay off in healthier skin and better makeup results.