Doing your makeup is all fun and games until you figure out... Yes, you actually have to clean your makeup brushes (opens in new tab). (Opens in new tab) Cleaning makeup brushes is one of those laundry list annoyances that rarely seems like something you have to do right now." How can you not clean your makeup brushes?" I say. I say. How often should I clean my brushes?

Well, according to professional beauty artists who create fresh makeup canvases for the stars every day, not so much. The brushes we use so often accumulate dirt and oil from our skin along with powder, which can cause skin irritation and breakouts if not cleaned regularly. You definitely don't want your makeup routine to do more harm than good. Below is a quick guide to cleaning your brushes the right way.

First off, great question! Dallas-based makeup artist Joanna Hathcock recommends (open in new tab) that you rinse regularly, if not weekly, then once every two weeks. Of course, if you have exceptionally sensitive skin, that process may need to happen every few days.

But as you learn the hard way how to actually, uh, do it' after all, every beginner learns the hard way, it's not just a matter of running your brush down the sink and calling it a day. Every makeup professional has his or her own specialized way of doing things, so here are some of the most efficient ways to get the job done without ruining the brushes themselves.

Beauty blogger Desi Perkins (opens in new tab) offers the following two-step approach to cleaning brushes, from the most basic method (dish detergent/solid soap and olive oil) to more specialized methods of removing stains. Get ready to shine your brushes.

If you don't have time or don't want to go to the store (same!) ), the tools you need are surprisingly close at hand. Here's what you need.

When you're looking to get rid of all the glitter of past makeup looks, otherwise known as that failed attempt to create the look you saw on TikTok (opens in new tab), Perkins specifically designed to nourish and clean brushes Perkins recommends reaching for a cleanser specifically designed to nourish and clean brushes.

For value, one of our favorite makeup artists, Gucci Westman (open in new tab), recommends a gentle cleanser like Eminence Organics Natural Brush Cleanser (open in new tab) for daily use. If you're looking for an authentic deep clean, set your eyes on brush shampoos and conditioners for your brushes.

Optional: For spot treatment between deep cleanses, Perkins recommends using a liquid cleaner like M.A.C's Brush Cleaner (opens in new tab). She tells me that she likes to squeeze a few drops of the formula onto a cotton pad and swirl the brush head in a paper towel to break up the pigment.

Now, before you jet off to our other deep dive beauty article (opens in new tab). Perkins recommends the upside-down method. You can DIY a drying rack at home by tying the brushes to a cutting board and securing them with a rubber band, or you can get Sigma's Dry'N Shape Tower, which can dry 48 brushes at once.

People swear that drying them upside down helps them keep their shape, drains the moisture from the bristles, and avoids bacteria growth in wet brushes. On the other hand, many well-known beauty professionals (open in new tab) simply line their brushes on regular old paper towels.

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