How to clean your makeup brushes

Affordably, hygienically and efficiently

So. It's that time again. Time to clean my brushes. For those of you following my Instagram (@kattrap93 see link to the left) you will have already heard the news and seen live update pics of the brush cleaning process. As a makeup artist his HAS to be one of the most mediocre parts of the job... No fun. I often have people at Mary Kay parties and makeup job clients and just friends in general ask me how to clean their brushes. Obviously this is very important, especially as a makeup artist because you need to ensure that you are not going to be spreading any nasty germs!!! This blog post is going to go through with you how I clean my brushes and the products i use in doing so with the I intention Of answering some questions and helping you guys out.

You will need:

 

Your brushes

Shampoo and conditioner... Yes you heard me!!

Artiste Brush cleaner... This stuff is magic it sanitizes, kills germs and bleeds all the colour out of the brush between makeup jobs when you don't have time for a full clean!!!! Available at Priceline for $10

Paper towel- and LOTS of it!!

Fresh air a. So the powerful antiseptic smell doesn't knock you out b. so the breeze can hasten the drying process!

Procedure:

Your going to want to set yourself up with a workspace (i use the vanity in the bathroom, close to tap and running water access) and allocate about an hour (more or less depending on the number of brushes you own/need to clean) for this activity.

create two half meter long trains of paper towel ( I place one on either side of the basin to avoid confusion) the train to your left is going to be used for bleeding the pigment and left over colour out of your brushes and the train to the right is going to be used to lay down your brushes for drying. 

For each brush, and yes you need to do the each individually, you will first want to spray soak it with your artiste brush cleaner and then wipe the brush on your left paper towel and watch as all the leftover colour bleeds out of your brush. It's magic, I'm telling you go invest in this product you won't regret it!!

Then fill the basin with hot to boiling water (great for killing germs) and soak the bristles your brush but be sure not to get the ferrule wet as this will overtime cause the brush to shed and fall apart. I will insert a picture below demonstrating the anatomy of a makeup brush. Remember to only work with and wet the bristles in this procedure that is vitally important to ensure the longevity of your brushes!

Then get some shampoo (any brand will do, I use Herbal Essence simply because that's what I use in the shower for my own hair and so have laying around) and cleanse your brushes bristles just as you would your hair until you see no more product coming out of the brush.

Then use conditioner (now the reason shampoo and conditioner works so well in cleaning your makeup brushes bristles is because makeup brushes are often natural hair!! It makes sense when you think about it doesn't it! Shampoo and conditioner even work great with synthetic bristles!

Finally, rinse your brushes squeky clean and squeeze all the remaining water out of them and place them on your right hand paper towel train to dry for 24 hours, closest to a window is best and will ensure fastest drying time!

As a makeup artist and a Mary Kay consultant I have found this brush cleansing technique to be hygienic and effective. And furthermore it's inexpensive and simply uses products (minus the brush cleaner) that are lying around the house.

Happy cleaning!!

Katrina xx