This Is How You Should Really Clean Your Beautyblender

And no, it doesn't involve a microwave or a vinegar bath...

Updated on9th August 2020 at 12.06pm

Landing on our shelves back in 2003, the beautyblender totally revolutionised the way we apply make-up. For so long, we relied on dense sponges that made blending a complete chore until along came this unique egg-shaped, super strong sponge with the unusual instruction to wet it before using. Why? By wetting the beautyblender, the material expands and doesn’t absorb the product – rather bouncing it onto your face for the most seamless, airbrushed finish yet. Now, a cult classic that belongs in many a make-up bag, the FAQ is no longer around how to use the tool but instead – how do I clean my beautyblender?

Because it’s so good, many of us are guilty of using it every single day for almost everything – highlighter, concealer, foundation, bronzer – you name it, the beautyblender can blend it. But as a result, it can easily become dirty and as with most sponges – it’s difficult to clean.

You may have spotted the microwave hack that went viral (yes, it’s a thing) or read up on soaking your blender in vinegar – but the best way to clean your sponge is much simpler. Due to the popularity of the sponge and the many dupes that have cropped up over the years, there’s now a surplus supply of cleaning tools specifically designed for a beautyblender.

Read on to discover our step-by-step guide on how to clean your beautyblender…

How to clean a beautyblender

First of all, invest in the right cleaning products. There are so many to choose from but beautyblender is a good place to start - you can choose between a liquid or solid cleanser. The difference between the two? The solid is similar to a bar of soap that you lather up while the liquid is similar to shower gel and both are professional-grade formulas that protect against 99.7% of germs for up to 24 hours after cleansing.

Step 1: Wet the beautyblender

Step 2: Apply a small amount of your chosen cleaning product onto the sponge

Step 3: Massage the sponge in a bowl of water to create a low-foam lather that will gradually remove dirt and make-up

Step 4: To avoid tears, gently squeeze the sponge

Step 5: Rinse with clean water, squeeze out excess water before allowing the sponge to dry completely

How often should I clean my beautyblender?

The official advice from beautyblender is to clean your sponge after every single use. Of course, it depends on how often you use it but we’d say once a week is enough to keep your beautyblender in good condition. It’s worth noting here that you should replace your sponge after three months of use.