The Importance of Cleaning Your Brushes

Okay, so I know this isn't the most exciting topic to be starting the year off with, but it's pretty damn important. 

Cleaning make-up brushes is one of those things that we all know we need to do, yet most of us can never really be bothered to. It's considerable effort - especially if your lazy like me - to choose a day when you can wash and dry your brushes and not have it mess up your plans. I usually like to plan this on a weekend as there is less chance of me needing to use them as I don't tend to go out on both Saturday and Sunday. 

To drum it in a little lets look at the facts:

• Brushes are porous - meaning they absorb product, that product is a breeding ground for bacteria and dust particles. 
• The more you use them the more product builds up on the bristles and whilst your not using them dust settles and collects on the top of them. 
• You are then placing this bacteria and dust ridden brush onto your face and into your products... then you wonder why your products spoil quicker and your skin breaks out. 

It's a no-brainer really. 

Dirty brushes can be a cause of:

• Acne
• Irritation
• Sensitivity
• Reduced Pigmentation from Products
• The need to replace your Brushes more frequently = more expense

1. Products: It's important to choose the right products for brush cleaning, don't fall into the trap of cleaning them with hand soap, this is too drying on the bristles and the fragrance can irritate the skin. I would recommend a product that is actually designed for the job: elf Brush Shampoo is a mere £3.95 and it lasts for a good 3 months (if you wash them every 1-2 weeks like I do), something that isn't necessary but makes the job a little easier is the little pink massager, this was actually £1 from Primark and is made for your face, but I find it is perfect for swirling your brushes into to remove make-up quickly and effectively. If your in a rush and your brushes need a quick clean you can always use MAC Brush Cleanser at a slightly steeper price of £11. 
2. I apply a small blob of shampoo onto the massager (or you can use your palm).
3. I wet the brush with luke warm water and swirl into the massager making sure to get a good lather on the brush, 
4. I then rinse the brush out, making sure that the water runs clear. 
5. Then shake the brushes to remove excess water (do this over the bath to save mess!) and put to the side to dry.

1. If you have brushes that only need a quick clean - like eye brushes; then the Mac Brush Cleanser is perfect. Although I would still recommend giving your eye brushes a deep clean at least once a month as well to make sure any bacteria or make-up that is lurking in the bottom of the brushes is removed. 
2. Pour a small amount of the cleanser onto a piece of kitchen towel and swirl the brush on the towel.
3. Keep swirling until the make-up comes off the brush and leaves it clean. 

Make sure after you've finished cleaning the brushes that you rest them on a flannel. Top Tip: Create a see-saw with a spherical object underneath the flannel to tilt the brushes downwards to allow any excess moisture out onto the flannel and not onto the glue which keeps the bristles in place.

1. Something that often gets ignored/forgotten about when cleaning brushes is the eyelash curlers, as you can see mine are pretty rough, this is just general build up (I don't even use these with mascara on just eye-liner). 
2. No fear though, they are so quick to clean, just pour some brush cleanser onto a cotton pad and wipe away that grime.
3. Good as new and quick, make sure to clean these at least once a week as you don't want any bacteria getting near/in your eyes. You can even get pink eye from this! Grim.

That's it! 

If you made it to the bottom of the post then well done! It was a long one today!

Do you have any techniques for brush cleaning? What products do you use to clean them?