Proven, Easy Ways Clean Your Makeup Tools & Brushes Like a PRO Makeup Artist

If you are a professional makeup artist like me, then you know how important it is to keep your makeup application tools and brushes super clean.

Taking that extra little bit of time to keep your stuff clean, can mean all the difference in your beauty business career and clients will love you for this. Yes, it does take a bit of time to clean everything, but you will be rewarded with happy clients, who appreciate your approach to cleanliness and sanitation.

Having everything super clean in your makeup kit also shows your level of professionalism. The cleaner you keep your makeup kit, the more professional you seem to your clients and they will keep coming back for your outstanding customer service.

Even if you aren’t a makeup artist, you can still reap the rewards of having clean items to apply your makeup with and you won’t give yourself any infections, diseases or breakouts.

5 Reasons Why It’s Important to Keep Your Makeup Tools and Brushes Super Clean

How to Clean Your Makeup Tools

Stainless Steel Spatula and Palette:

The best way to clean your makeup tools is to start by removing any surface makeup stains from your stainless steel spatula and palette with a Lysol wipe (make sure it can remove up to 99.9% bacteria for the most effectiveness).

Next, you will want to scrub both the stainless steel spatula and palette with a small amount of gentle baby shampoo and a mini scrubbing brush, along with some warm-to-hot water to deep clean (be careful not to burn yourself if the water is too hot).

Let your stainless steel tools air dry (covered) in a clean and disinfected area. Once dry, spray with 70% Iseyporal alcohol and wait 10 minutes before removing any excess alcohol from your tools.

Other Makeup Application Tools:

Follow these same steps above for cleaning your small round scissors (best to take them apart when cleaning), false lash applicator tweezers, etc.

How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes

For effectively cleaning your makeup brushes, start by spraying them with a makeup brush sanitizer spray (I recommend using the one from Beauty So Clean). Take a clean paper towel and swirl the brush bristles around on it to remove any makeup surface stains.

Next, take a small amount of gentle baby shampoo in the palm of your hand, and wet the bristles of each brush with warm water. Swirl around each wet brush into the baby shampoo until you no longer see any makeup leftover. Squeeze out excess and repeat this step if necessary. You may need to do this step a few times if you have difficulty getting the makeup stains out.

Let each brush dry the same way you did for your tools. After completely drying, wipe each brush handle with a Lysol wipe, then a paper towel and gently place back in your brush roll (or whichever method you use to store your clean brushes).

How to Sanitize Your Makeup Palettes

Start by spraying the inside of each palette with a cosmetic sanitizer mist (I recommend also using this one from Beauty So Clean), and let dry.

Wipe the outside of each palette with another clean Lysol wipe, then a paper towel to dry. Once dry, you can gently place each palette back inside your PRO makeup kit for safe storage.

Other Ways to Keep Your Makeup Kit Super Clean

Cosmetic Pencils (Eyeliners, Lipliners, Etc.)

Since cosmetic pencils go really close to the waterline/lashline when applying eyeliner, as well as touching lips, you will want to first spray each tip with 70% Iseproal Alcohol and let sit for 10 minutes.

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The next step is to sharpen your cosmetic pencils with your cosmetic sharpener, then spray each tip again with the alcohol, and wait again for 10 more minutes. After you have done these steps and the pencils are fully dry, place each cap back on the pencils and store them safely in your PRO makeup kit.

Exterior and Interior of Your Makeup Kit:

To ensure everything is fully cleaned, disinfected and sanitized for proper makeup applications on clients, you will also want to give your kit a good wipe down on the outside as well as on the inside.

I personally use either the spray or disposable wipe version of Lysol to complete this step. This ensures that there is always a clean spot for your clean makeup products, tools and brushes.

I hope this makeup cleaning and sanitation guide was helpful for you and that it provided you with some valuable information.

Sharing this post with your friends is strongly encouraged! 🙂

What are some of the ways that you clean and sanitize your PRO makeup kit? Do you have any methods different from mine?

Let me know in the comment section below. Thanks so much and have a beautiful day!