Proper Brush Maintenance: How to Wash and Dry Your Brushes

I am always asked 'how often do I clean my brushes if I am not a makeup artist'...the answer is at least once a week with spot cleaning (more on this in a moment) throughout the week and YES!

Baby wash is a gentle cleanser that has natural
hydrators that nourish bristles while cleaning.

Makeup brushes, like any other product or surface, carry bacteria.  It is easy to fall into the belief that since they are your brushes, cleaning them is not mandatory as often as one would think. The bacteria that sets up in your brushes can cause infections of the eyes and skin.  To clean your brushes, use either baby wash OR a mixture of dawn with the bleach alternative and some drops of EVOO**. The EVOO acts as a hydrator after the soap has stripped the moisture from the bristles. This should be done at least once a week (Sunday evening is a GREAT day for it). Begin by placing your cleanser of choice on a plate or flat surface. Fill the sink mid way with warm water. Dip the brush into the cleanser lightly then into the water being careful not to submerge the metal piece that secures the bristles to the handle. Work into a lather. Rinse the brush by dipping it into the water and using your hand, remove any excess water....shape the bristles into their natural shape, place on towel to dry. Repeat for each brush.  Let dry at least 4 hours. I let mine dry over night.

Spot Cleaning: using a wet cloth to remove any surface makeup from brush. I LOVE baby wipes for this! Especially at shoots. I also use alcohol pads on shoots to kill any bacteria.

**EVOO is Extra Virgin Olive Oil