Deep Cleaning Makeup Brushes

Deep Cleaning your makeup brushes can be a very boring task to do but we all must do it, of course unless you'd like to day after day smear bacteria over your face.  (Eeeeek) On that note, keep reading if you want to brush up (sorry, I had to) on your cleaning technique!

Why Deep Cleaning is Important:

• Helps makeup application to go on flawlessly.
• Prevents product buildup, bacteria and other grime from causing skin irritation - most likely acne.  If skin problems do seem to crop up, deep clean your makeup brushes more than the average person and maybe over time it will reduce.  Worked for me!
• Improves and maintains the quality of the makeup brushes - especially if they are already expensive.

How to do it:

1. Pick out the brushes you want to clean.  I recommend doing it at night because they do take a long time to dry.  Don't deep clean right before you mean to get ready.
2. Dampen the brushes slightly under running lukewarm water and lay them aside.
3. Grab a bowl and fill it with lukewarm water as well.
4. You can pour some shampoo straight into the bowl or on to the bristles or both.  I used a mild BodyShop shampoo because it doesn't seem to damage them.  I know some people recommend using detergent, hand soap and other similar cleaning agents but I wouldn't recommend it for the sole purpose of whatever is in those agents will also be touching your skin.  A good option could also be a mild face cleanser, just to be safe.  My policy is that if you wouldn't use it on your face, don't use it on your brushes.
5. Swirl the brushes in the bowl until you notice the product completely leaving the brush.  You can also swirl against the palm of your hand and gently squeeze.  Rinse and repeat this step until necessary. 
6. Gently squeeze out excess and rise the brushes off under the tap.  
7. Lay them on a cloth to dry.  Underneath the cloth, you can add a few larger brushes or a hairspray can to alleviate one side of the cloth so you can place your brushes on an angle and so the water will leave quicker.  Do not let them dry vertically, the water will seep into the handle and loosen the glue that is holding it all together.  That is very bad for a $50 brush.
8. Shape the brushes into their form as they dry.
9. Once they are dry, marvel in the clean softness of your pristine brushes.  Go ahead, be happy about it.  No judgements here!

The Before - Notice the product build up and deformities of the bristles.

The shampoo I used - BodyShop Rainforest Radiance Shampoo

Swirly swirl swirl

The After! Look how clean and pristine.

Yay! Clean makeup brushes make me feel like ...