How to clean makeup brushes!

I wanted to stop in for a quick blog on how to clean your makeup brushes.  Dirty makeup brushes carry bacteria that can lead to acne and eye infections.  It's important to lightly cleanse brushes after each use (I use makeup remover wipes) but even cleaning brushes after each use doesn't replace a deep cleaning that I recommend once a week.  Deep cleaning your brushes helps to reach the makeup (especially foundation, blush and bronzer) and bacteria that rests deep inside the brush hairs causing the most trouble. 

I promise that cleaning your brushes using the simple technique below will save you money and is more effective than any brush cleanser I've ever bought!

Here is what you will need-

Dishwashing liquid and olive oil

You begin by distributing half of the olive oil and half of the dishwashing liquid onto a saucer.  I prefer scented dishwashing liquid since it leaves behind a pleasant smell on my brushes.  The dishwashing liquid helps to rid the brushes of any stubborn makeup and the olive oil helps to moisturize the bristles and to keep them soft.

Once the saucer is filled, you take the brush head and twirl the bristles evenly in the olive oil and the dishwashing liquid.  Coat the bristles and rub them either on the palm of your hand or between your fingers.  

The last step is to simply rinse.  I prefer to rinse my brushes in the kitchen sink so I can use the sprayer to ensure they are completely free of any soap residue.  Avoid spraying water on the brush beyond the brush hairs.  

After washing your brushes, wipe them down and squeeze out any excess water.  Lastly lay them down on a paper towel to air dry.  It can take up to 24 hours for larger brushes (kabuki) to dry.  It's important to remember to lay your brushes down flat to dry.  You don't want to dry your brushes standing with the bristles facing up or you will end up with damaged brushes like this one-

When brushes are allowed to dry standing up, excess water in the brush head seeps down and eats away at the glue holding the brush together.  The hairs will begin to shed then finally separate from the handle and you will end up with a brush that looks like this one!

I have found cleansing makeup brushes using olive oil and dishwashing liquid has been effective for natural and synthetic brush hairs alike.  I've tried many different cleansing methods but this is the simplest, cheapest and most effective there is!