One of the questions that I get asked very frequently (perhaps, just second to, "Do you miss modelling?") is "How do you wash your brushes?"
Well, here's the answer, in pictures!
First up, you'll need:
1. Brush Cleanser aka brush soap/shampoo
The other blue Biore bottle is the
Hydra-Clear makeup remover, which I will use to clean out some hard to remove gunk from my foundation and lipstick brushes.
If you do not have a brush cleaner, you can use baby shampoo or a mild soap, although I highly recommend a proper brush cleaner. It has kept my brushes going for more than 6 years.
2. Running water and a bright, airy place to dry your brushes
3. Clean towel. As you can see, I am partial to the made-in-china Good Morning towels, available at your local mama shop. If you're reading this from the US or Europe, I hear these sell at cut-throat prices there. They're less than a dollar each here. Anyhow... let's get started.
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How to clean foundation brushes:
Now, foundation brushes are tricky because sometimes the creamy foundation just refuses to dissolve and wash off in the regular brush cleaner. These steps also work for lipstick brushes.
Word of advice: Use step 1-3 only for synthetic bristles
Step 1: With clean, dry hands (emphasis on dry when using water-based makeup removers like this Biore one, so that it doesn't emulsify yet), pour a teaspoon-sized amount of waterproof makeup remover onto your palm.
Step 2: Swirl the foundation brushes and massage the makeup remove between the bristles to break down the gunk and foundation / lipstick (if you're cleaning your lip brush). You'll start seeing the makeup melt off the brushes and onto your palm.
Step 3: Rinse the brushes under running water.
Here, I am going to state an important point: Always point your brush with the bristles facing downwards, so that the cleaner and water will not get into the base of the brush.
Step 4: Pick up your brush shampoo/soap. Pour a half teaspoon size onto your palm.
Step 5: Swirl the brushes and get the initial makeup remover out too. The foundation should wash off really easily by now.
Step 6: Rinse again. If still dirty, repeat steps 5-6.
Then, blot the brushes gently against your towel (realise I am holding them almost horizontal so I don't crush up the bristles)
Step 7: This is a tip i got from fellow makeup artist Andrea Claire!
Dry your brushes horizontally, with the bristles hanging off the edge of the table.
This will increase the drying surface area so your brushes can dry much more quickly.
Dealing with other brushes:
For blusher, eyeshadow, bronzer, eyeliner and most brushes that deal with powders, here's what you do
Step 1: Wet brush and pour out a teaspoon-sized amount of brush cleanser (here I am using the M.A.C cleanser, to the last drop) onto your palm. I also like to put it in a small cup sometimes as it is liquid and tends to just drip out of my palm.
Step 2: With the brush already fully wet, it will lather up well as your swirl it around your palm (or cup).
Step 3: Rinse out the brush, remember to keep it pointing downwards. If you rinse it out into a white/clear cup, you can see if there's still lots of product rinsing out. If the brush is not clean enough, repeat steps 1&2.
Same for eyeshadow brushes, repeat steps 1-3 as above. I like to wash them in a bunch since they're so small.
Let your brushes dry for at least 12 hours before use, and for the large brushes that are quite dense, they make take up to 24 hours to dry
If you have any suggestions or questions about washing brushes, or want to share your fav brush soaps, please share them with us here :)
p.s. And to answer the question at the beginning of this post, nope, I do not miss modelling at all, I'm much happier now! :)
Thanks to Mia Tan for helping me take the snapshots while my hands were all soapy!
