4 Less Annoying Ways To Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Real talk: Cleaning makeup brushes is the worst. Like, it might actually be my least-favorite chore. But I got to thinking about it, and maybe I hate this particular task so much because I'm not using the best system. After all, there are so many different ways to clean makeup brushes whether it's just a spot-clean to switch colors, or a thorough clean to refresh and disinfect brushes.

Currently, I do the ol' soap and water in my hand bit to wash my brushes. I don't actually have a spot-cleaning system, which might be part of the reason why I so dislike thoroughly cleaning my brushes. I end up having to designate certain brushes to certain colors just so I can get away with longer stretches of time between washes, but then I end up feeling bad that I went, like, a month (yeesh, I know) without cleaning them. The struggle is real. If you feel it too, let's take a peek at some options to help us more easily switch colors and clean makeup brushes without it feeling like it's the end of the world or something else melodramatic like that. Here are four options that could make a makeup brush-cleaning routine significantly less annoying.

1. Quick Switch

Color Switch Solo, $17, Veramona

If you don't want to have to commit a brush to a certain color between washes, just rub it on this pad. While it won't disinfect your brushes, it will at least draw out pigment, leaving you with brushes ready to be used in any new shades.

2. Waterless Cleaning

Cinema Secrets Professional Brush Cleaner, $24, Sephora

Instead of carrying all of your brushes to the sink for a bath, this cleanser works to dissolve makeup off brushes while disinfecting and conditioning. All you have to do is dip brushes into the solution and then wipe clean on a towel. Sounds pretty easy, right?

3. Brush Mat

Sigma Spa Express Brush Cleaning Mat, $25, Sigma Beauty

If your hand gets irritated having to swirl brushes in your palm to thoroughly clean them, a textured mat like this will take care of all that. The various ridges help more thoroughly wash and rinse brushes for a deeper clean, all without irritating your skin.

4. Washing Machine

Lilumia in New York, $127, Lilumia

Yes, there's actually a washing machine for makeup brushes. And yes, it's a little pricey. But it'll clean 12 brushes at once, and you don't even have to do anything other than press a button. The lazy girl in me is begging for the credit card.

I don't understand this feeling, but I think I may actually be excited to clean my makeup brushes now...

Images: Courtesy of Brands