Makeup Brush and tool Care 101
Makeup brushes are essential for a professional makeup application. Aside from investing in the best-quality, it is very important to make sure that your brushes are well-taken care of! Makeup brushes can make or break your makeup (and your bank account) if you do not properly care for them. Dirty brushes can cause bristles to fall out or break.
Here are some basics on taking care of the brushes you own:
- SPOT CLEANING BETWEEN WASHES- Invest in a good brush cleanser that can quickly remove color and sanitize brushes. These are instant brush cleansers you can get at a beauty supplier or at a cosmetics counter (i.e. MAC Brush Cleanser, Makeup Forever Instant Brush Cleanser, Inglot Brush Cleanser). These are great for an instant cleansing by applying the cleanser to a paper towel and then gently swiping the color from the brush until the towel does not show residue. As these cleansers usually contain alcohol or sanitizers, they also sanitize brushes as they dry and are ideal if you want to use the same brush on several people, or use many colors. However, please note that these are not designed for deep cleansing of emollient or silicone-based gels and creams (such as foundations and heavy-duty gel liners). Lay the brushes over the edge of a counter to dry for a few hours. Make sure that the bristles have enough space so that air can circulate around them!
- DEEP CLEANING YOUR BRUSHES- Always deep clean your brushes by washing them at least once a week if possible, especially if you do a full-face of makeup daily! Use a mild shampoo to really foam up and clean your brushes. Apply a couple of drops to the back of your hand or your cupped hand and some water. Swish your brush into the water and shampoo mixture until you see foam. The foam will lift all the product off the bristles. Make sure that you rinse well and are not washing past where the metal ferrule meets the handle of the brush to protect the integrity and binding of the bristles. DO NOT SOAK BRUSHES FACING DOWN! If you do, the glue binding the bristles will dissolve over time and you will be left with an excessively shedding brush. You want to wash the brushes a few at a time so that you do not break up the glue that binds the brushes together. Rinse the brushes under running water so that it runs clear. If product is stubborn, you can do this several times. I like to use Baby Shampoo, Head and Shoulders, or the Body Shop Banana Shampoo as they do a really a great job of removing product. If you are a professional makeup artist, you should wash all used brushes after every makeup job. Leaving caked on product will make cleaning them a chore after several days. Once you have rinsed well, you can get a clean towel and really squeeze all the excess water out. Swipe the bristles back and forth to take away any other remaining moisture. Finally, lay the brushed out over the edge of a counter top to ensure that all sides of the bristles are exposed to air and dry! The brushes should dry overnight. Synthetic and dense brushes may take a little longer.
- CLEANSING SPONGES- Sponges are in-trend right now. But, has anyone told you that you needto WASH that Beauty Blender? Washing your sponges is very easy. In addition, it prevents product buildup and ensures that you don't trap bacteria in your sponge. Cleaning sponges are very easy. You can wet your sponge, then add a few drops of shampoo to it. Squeeze the sponge repeatedly until you see the foam changing color to lift all the product. Rinse under running water while squeezing until there are no longer suds and discolored water. Squeeze out remaining water and roll while squeezing on a towel. DO NOT RUB THE SPONGE, or you will break it up! Final step is to just lay the sponge on a clean counter top or over a paper towel so that it has a chance to dry overnight. If there is residual moisture on the underside, simply flip the sponge over so the moist side can dry.
- CLEANSING LASH CURLERS AND TWEEZERS- As a professional makeup artist, I have always washed ALL implements I have used on clients and myself daily. We often don't think of washing our tweezers and lash curlers, but think about it- these items touch your eyes too! You want to ensure every tool is clean. And, who wants residue of products all over their implements anyway? Clean implements help ensure their lives. So, all you have to do is wash them in a bit of shampoo once in awhile, dry with a towel and lay out.
Clean tools make for a beautiful makeup and comfortable application! Think of it like changing your bedsheets! Who doesn't like the feeling of laying in freshly-laundered sheets? The same should be for your face!
Until the next time, enjoy your day and clean makeup tools!