Keeping your makeup brushes clean is one of the most important things a makeup wearer can do to keep your skin healthy, prevent breakouts, and extend the life of your makeup. Oils from your skin, as well as dead skin cells can build up in the bristles of your makeup brushes, and this can be redeposited into your skin and onto the surface of your makeup. If you have ever had difficulty getting a powder product onto your brush or applicator, and perhaps noticed a shiny spot in the middle of your powder, then you have witnessed first hand what is referred to as 'glazing' of your product. This happens when oil and skin cells are transferred from your brush or applicator and build up to form a layer that makes it difficult to get to the product underneath. This can be solved by taking a paper towel or clean mascara spoolie and gently exfoliating and removing the surface layer.
Preventing this from happening in the first place is just as simple!
Simply wet your brush under lukewarm water, and apply a bit of your chosen brush shampoo to the tips. Swirl the brush in the palm of your hand until the suds are free of color and rinse your brush. Lay flat to dry with the bristles hanging over the edge of the table or counter. Do NOT dry brushes upright as the water will seep into the ferrule and handle of the brush, causing brush hairs to loosen and wood handled brushes to warp and crack.
There are many popular brush shampoos on the market. Some of my favorites are the: E.L.F Brush Shampoo, $3 at Eyes Lips Face and Pure Goat Milk Solid Brush Shampoo: English Lavender (they also have other scents and vegan versions!), $18. London Brush Company.
In a pinch, I will even use 3 parts Dawn original dish soap to 1 part Extra Virgin Olive Oil blended as a brush shampoo.
If you wear makeup almost everyday, you should definitely be washing your brushes at least once a week, if not more often. If you only wear makeup maybe once or twice a week, you should still wash your brushes about every two weeks, or monthly at MINIMUM.
xoxo,
Ashlie Lauren