Complete Guide to Washing Mascara Wands and Brushes

Tips for cleaning mascara brushes and how to repurpose them for other makeup needs

Mascara is a very common makeup item that helps women make their eyelashes look fuller and more beautiful. Most women carry mascara in their makeup bag and usually throw away the brush and tube when the product finishes. However, you can clean the brush and tube after the mascara runs out and reuse them for other purposes.

For example, you can use a mascara brush to groom your eyebrows so they look neat and tidy. In this section of the fashion world,SelmaDermaLearn how to clean mascara tubes and brushes effectively.

How to clean a mascara brush?

Cleaning a mascara brush with a paper towel

You can clean the brush with a paper towel. Gently rub the brush on the paper towel, moving it back and forth to remove clumps and separate the bristles. Do this slowly to avoid bending or breaking any hairs.

Cleaning a mascara brush with warm water

Using a cupWarm waterPour warm water into the cup and soak the mascara brush for 5 minutes to loosen dried mascara. The brush should release dried mascara clumps, and the water will turn cloudy, gray, or black. Discard the dirty water, refill the cup, and place the brush inside again.

If you have waterproof or water-resistant mascara, use a makeup remover instead of water.Makeup removerUse it.

Cleaning a mascara brush with alcohol

Pour isopropyl alcohol or plain alcohol into the cup and let the mascara brush soak there to help remove any remaining dried mascara. If the brush isn’t clean enough, soak it for another minute in the solution.

Cleaning a mascara brush with shampoo

Put a little shampoo on your palm and gently rub the brush on your hand, moving it in circles to clean the bristles. Then rinse the brush under warm water thoroughly.

How to clean a mascara tube?

To answer some of you asking on the SelmaDerma fashion section, you can clean the mascara container using baby shampoo. First, pour some warm water and shampoo into the tube, shake it well, and let it sit for a bit. Then, use a clean mascara brush to scrub inside the tube until all mascara residue is removed. Repeat several times until the container is completely clean.

Some additionalBaking sodaand hot water can be poured into the tube for a few hours. Then, insert the clean mascara brush into the tube and spin it around. Afterward, pour dish soap and hot water into the tube and rinse thoroughly to ensure the entire mascara container is clean.

Uses for a clean mascara brush

You can wash the mascara brush and then gently pat the bristles dry with a paper towel before putting it back into the tube. This prevents the lashes from sticking together after applying mascara.

To clean the area where the brush fits into the tube, insert a cotton ball into the opening and rotate it around the threaded part that connects the brush to the tube. This cleans it thoroughly and helps close it easily. Cleaning this part extends the mascara’s lifespan and maintains its quality.

You can store the dry mascara brush in a plastic bag. Make sure it dries completely to prevent mold growth. Keeping the brush in a bag helps protect it from bacteria, especially if you plan to reuse it on your lashes, eyebrows, or hair.

You can use a clean brush to remove clumps from your lashes. Do this while the mascara is still wet. The bristles will loosen the clumps and separate the lashes, giving a more natural look.

Use a clean brush to groom your eyebrows. Brushing helps remove stray hairs. Elevating the eyebrows with a brush makes it easier to find the root and gives a more precise arc to your brows.

Use a mascara brush to pick up eyebrow powder and comb it through for a natural look. The brush helps distribute the powder evenly among the hairs.

You can also use a mascara brush to unclog your sink drain. If the clog isn’t too deep, insert the brush into the drain and spin it to remove the blockage. Do not use this brush on your face afterward.