Dirty Talk

As a working makeup artist keeping my brushes and tools clean is a big part of my job. It shows professionalism, tells my clients that I take pride in what I do and that I care about hygiene. Did you know that a dirty makeup brush or sponge can cause break-outs and harbor bacteria? Lots of nasty stuff can live in your brushes! This very fact is enough for me to be diligent and it should be for others as well. Let me tell you, cleaning brushes isn't my favorite part of being a makeup artist. It's literally a non-stop duty and that part gets very old. Clean, organize, clean some more and organize again, on repeat! After leaving clients beautified, the job definitely isn't over. 

Makeup brushes are also a big investment for a professional, or anyone for that matter. So it's important to take the proper care. Cleaning your brushes will help them last longer and in turn, save you money in the long-run. I get asked how I take care of my makeup brushes quite often, so I figured I'd give a quick and easy how-to and recommend a couple brands that work fantastic. 

These are the two cleansers I’ve been using currently and I really like them and for different reasons:

London Brush Company “Solid Brush Shampoo”-

This is packaged in a round disc that contains a solid soap inside. I love that it's made free of chemicals and is gluten free as well. Some cosmetic brands can contain gluten, FYI. There's the original formula, which is a goat milk base and then they offer a vegan formula, made from young coconuts. Both clean extremely well and is best for deep cleaning brushes and makeup sponges. It's amazing how clean your brushes get with this shampoo and doesn't dry out the delicate bristles. I fell in love with this product the very first use! Just slightly dampen your brush and gently swirl over the solid disc, a little goes a long way. Lightly lather the brush in your palm and rinse until it's free of the shampoo. Squeeze any excess water out with a towel and lay flat to dry. I would recommend a deep cleanse 1-2 times per month if they're your at-home, personal brushes. When I use this cleanser, I feel like my brushes are being well-cared for! My personal favorite is the lavender goat milk, it's almost spa-like aromatherapy when you're washing them.

Parian Spirit “Brush Cleaner” -

This is a non-toxic, citrus based, quick-drying brush cleanser. It's nice to have this as an option in between your deep cleaning. With this type of cleanser, you can literally spray the solution on a paper towel or towel, and buff over to remove any surface makeup sitting on top of the brush. I particularly like this cleanser for cream and oil based makeup, (ex: concealer, foundation, creams, lash glue). You can also dip the very tips of the brush into the solution (do not soak) and then quickly remove the brush and towel off the solution well, this will disinfect the brush deeper. I do like Parian Spirit for a fast, surface-cleanse. I find it doesn't dry the bristles out like some other cleansers can. Use this once a week, especially on your complexion brushes. 

Happy Cleaning,                                                                                                                                   XO-Shanie