A Quick Lesson on Washing Makeup Brushes!

If you don't already know, you should be washing your makeup brushes/applicators once a week.  Not only does it protect you from bacteria and germs that can harbor on brushes, but keeping them clean also ensures they perform well.  I am not saying I am the best about cleaning my own personal brushes every week, but I have to keep my freelance kit very clean and sanitary as part of my job.

My freelance kit brushes, all dirty and grimy from my last gig.

Here are some of my favorite products and tips for cleaning makeup brushes:

You can probably get by with using baby shampoo or a gentle cleanser, but they don't disinfect very well.  Especially with cream/liquid products, it is better to use a brush purifier as well.  I love Sephora's Purifying Brush Shampoo, since it is antibacterial and is only $15 for a bottle (they also offer a smaller sized bottle for $7).  This is a thin gel product, which almost looks like liquid soap.  You use this shampoo by squirting the product onto the palm of your hand, then swirl your dampened makeup brush in it.  Once you swirl, you will being to see the makeup gunk washing out.  Rinse the brushes in warm water until the water runs clear.

Another product I love is London Brush Company's Brush Shampoo, which is actually a solid soap in a jar.  This brush shampoo is available in lemon and lavender scents, and is made out of goat's milk.  It is amazing at removing all traces of makeup residue from brushes without drying out the bristles.
This shampoo is used by dampening a makeup brush then swirling it in the container.  After you get the shampoo on the damp brush, roll and swirl the bristles of the brush in your hand under running water.  All of the residual makeup should almost clump up in the shampoo, then rinse out.  Rinse in warm water until the brush is clean and the water runs clear.

When washing makeup brushes, you should be careful to keep the handle and metal piece (called a ferrule) pointed downward. If water gets into the ferrule, it is much more likely to create damage to the brush (NOT a good thing if you own nice brushes!).  You also want to gently shape the brush bristles back into shape after all the swirling you did to clean them.  Lay brushes out on a clean towel or paper towel(s) to allow them to dry (always dry in a clean, dry place).