the confessions of a product junkie

Cleaning makeup brushes is something a lot of people don’t think to do, then their skin starts to break out and they can’t figure out why it’s happening.

In my case, I use Bare Minerals foundation, which requires that I use makeup brushes every time I apply it. Residue from my makeup, dead skin, oil, dirt and bacteria builds up on brushes quickly. (Ew!) Assuming I haven’t washed or replaced my brushes in a while, every time I apply my makeup I’m reapplying not only old powder but all that other nasty stuff as well. This is especially detrimental to my skin when I use my concealer brush, because I use it directly on blemishes and sensitive areas. Gross!

So, after thinking this through, I’ve realized how important it is to wash my makeup brushes. Haven’t you? But the questions remain: How do you wash them? And how often do they need to be washed?

Ideally, you would clean your makeup brushes after every makeup application. Sephora makes an after-use brush cleanser that you’re supposed to use daily. (I bought the cleanser a while ago but I never remember to use it.) Also, baby wipes work just fine for daily disinfecting of your brushes.

But if cleaning your brushes after every use is too high maintenance of a routine for you (it is for me), brushes should really be given a deep cleaning once a week. All sorts of companies sell pricey brush cleaners or provide extensive recipes for homemade cleaners, but most experts agree that regular shampoo works just fine.

Use lukewarm water and shampoo to wash them. Wring them out. Pat them dry with a towel. Then leave them there to finish drying. It’s pretty simple!

Some little things to remember:
+Make sure the shampoo you use to clean your brushes is for normal hair and doesn’t contain conditioner.
+Don’t scrub your brushes too hard otherwise you could loosen the bristles.
+Make sure your brushes are completely dry before using them again.

Also note that the “shelf life” of makeup brushes (especially ones you use often) is only about 6 months, so toss those puppies out when their time is up.

Happy cleaning!

XOXO,
Sarah
Your PJ