How To: Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Hey everyone!  Sorry I haven't been posting much.  School has just started back up and I've been swamped with homework.  For today's post, I'm going to show you guys two easy ways to clean your makeup brushes.

Most people overlook this step, but it's very, very important.  Overtime, makeup brushes tend to build bacteria.  Also, the dirt and oils on your face get transferred to the brush.  Each time you use it, you are just swiping this dirt, oil, and bacteria back on your face.  This can lead to more and more breakouts.  Not cleaning your makeup brush is like the equivalent of not cleaning your face.

Spot Cleaning

What you'll need:

• Brush cleanser like Sonia Kashuk Brush and Sponge Cleanser or MAC Brush Cleanser
• Paper towels or wash cloths

What to do:

First take your brush and hold it over the paper towel.  Now spray your brush cleanser over the bristles.  Then take your brush and swirl it in the extra cleanser that fell on the paper towel using the right motion.  For flat or angled brushes, go back and forth and for round or dome shaped brushes, go in circular motions.  Make sure to keep swirling until the brush leaves behind a clean trail.  You can take more brush cleanser and repeat the steps if necessary.  Now shape the brush back into its original shape and leave it on the paper towel to dry.

How to Deep Clean

What you'll need:

• Antibacterial dish soap
• Olive oil or argan oil
• Plate or bowl
• Linen towel
• Brush guard or aluminum foil
• A cup or two

What to do:

Pour the dish soap and argan oil on a plate.  Now take your brush and swirl it all around in the mixture.  The reason we're using antibacterial dish soap is because it will kill all of the bacteria built up in your brush.  As for the argan oil,  we're using it to recondition the hairs on the brush because the dish soap strips the hairs and dries them out.  Take the brush and swirl it on the palm of your hand to remove all of the pigments and bacteria.  Lay it on the towel and move on to the next one.  Once your finished cleaning all of your brushes, run them under water until the water falling from your brushes is clear.  Shake them off just a little bit and squeeze out the extra water with the towel.  Now slide a brush guard over the brush.  This just helps the brush keep its shape.  Be sure to leave about half an inch at the top so the brush can stand upside down.  Never ever dry brushes on their side or right side up when you've exposed them to water.  The water can trickle down into the handle and loosen up the glue that holds all the hairs together.  This can make your brush loose all of the hair.  So always make sure you dry it upside down.  That's why we use the brush guard so we can let the brush stand upside down in a cup.  All the extra water will collect at the bottom.  If you don't have a brush guard, you can take aluminum foil and wrap it around your brush leaving enough room at the top so you can stand your brush up without mushing your it.

I hope this helps!  If you have any requests, leave them in the comments below! 

XOXO,

Katey