Airbrush makeup systems are notorious for clogging, especially if the wrong type of foundation or moisturizer is used. For those who are new to airbrushing, this may seem a bit hard to take seriously, but if you stick to a few simple steps, you can keep your stylus and compressor in great condition for many years to come.

An ideal place to start is definitely the manual that came with your system. You just spent a fairly large sum of money on the unit and now it’s time to make the decision to keep it looking like new. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and don’t cut corners. Several systems, for example, will warn you to only use distilled or filtered water instead of tap water. Standard tap water contains minerals including limescale that can block your stylus over time. If you’ve ever lived in an area with hard water and checked the bottom of your bathroom faucet, you’ll know what we mean. You don’t want that inside your airbrush!

Airbrush makeup is made up of two types and 2 cleaning methods: silicone-based and water-based. Naturally, silicone is more difficult to clean. Water-based makeup can be easily removed with filtered or distilled water and alcohol. However, there is now a product available on the market that is an enzyme concentrate that will work on both types. It’s actually non-toxic, ph balanced, and made with food-safe ingredients, so it’s safe to use in your airbrush. Just google the phrase “Nurturing Force NF” to find out where you can buy.

Essentially, you want to focus on keeping your airbrush stylus or wand particularly clean. The wand includes a needle and spray nozzle that are constantly exposed to makeup, as well as the cup that holds the drops. Using a small cleaning brush or Q-tip, clean any remaining makeup from the cup. Rinse with distilled water or cleaner using a process known as backsparing. This is the technique used to blend makeup where the trigger is partially pressed, causing air to leak back into the cup. If you do this using just water, the bubbling effect will wash out the airbrush and you will have a clean result. Simply block the stylus’s fog nozzle with your finger and press the trigger, which draws air in through the cup instead of the nozzle. Once you’ve done this a few times, go ahead and unlock the nozzle and spray the rest of the liquid through the nozzle. Perform repeatedly as needed. This will completely ensure that any residual makeup is removed.

Next, you will need to focus on the needle. Remove it according to the manual and use your enzymatic cleaner or just distilled water and liquid soap. Work with a soft, lint-free material to prevent excess threads from sticking to the needle. Don’t wear bandanas for this reason as well. You can use a cotton swab dipped in cleaning solution to carefully roll each side of the needle.

Soaking your airbrush regularly is another good idea, as long as you continue to avoid tap water. Just put the stylus inside a nice clean container and fill it with filtered water. Let sit overnight and any remaining makeup will dissolve. Occasionally you’ll probably want to take the stylus apart to give it a thorough wash, but be careful about resetting the stylus correctly. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions.

Trying to keep your airbrush clean and free of clogs will ensure that you get the perfect spray and the best coverage. You don’t have to do a deep cleaning of the stylus after every use, but getting in the habit of caring for your investment will save you disappointment later.