Choosing and caring for make up brushes

Choosing quality makeup brushes is so important, good makeup brushes can last for years if you take care of them. There are lots of makeup brands that do makeup brushes some of the ones that I like are Mac, Bobbi Brown, My Kit Co, Zoeva to name but a few. High street brands such as Real Techniques are very good also. Makeup brush sets are usually better value than buying brushes individually and normally come in pouches or makeup bags which keep them dust free between uses.

It is so important to wash your makeup brushes regularly, brushes can harbour bacteria and can lead to breakouts, acne, blackheads and skin infections such as fungal, e coli, staph, folliculitis or conjuctivitis. Brushes should be cleaned every week, depending on how often you use them. For makeup artists like myself, brushes should be cleaned between every client. If you see dirty makeup brushes when you go to get your makeup done -run a mile!

Sweat, oils, product, build up of dead skin are all things that can build up in your brushes. Clean makeup brushes make your makeup go on much smoother without any streaks, resulting in flawless makeup and also prolong the life of your makeup brushes.

Here is how I like to clean mine;

1. Use a cleaning product on your brushes, I like to use Fairy antibacterial washing up liquid or beauty blender solid cleanser along with a makeup cleaning pad. There are lots of different products out there for cleaning brushes.

2. Apply the cleanser to the brush and massage in to the bristles using the makeup cleaning pad, rinse in lukewarm water (not too hot or the glue that holds the brush together, will disintegrate and your brush will lose hairs and eventually fall apart)

3. Ensure that every bit of makeup has gone from the brushes, for larger brushes squeeze any excess water out with some kitchen paper, then move on to the next one. The water should run clean, if it doesn't repeat the process until it runs clean. Cream or liquid products such as foundation or lipstick are hard to get out, what I like to do is put the cleaning product on these brushes at the start leave the product to work itself in and come back to them at the end. The product will have broken down the makeup leaving them much easier to clean.

4. Beauty blenders can be cleaned in the same way.

5. Finally, leave your brushes to dry so that the air can circulate freely. I like to leave mine on a table with the brush head hanging over the edge or place on a clean towel in the hot press.

6. Brush cleansing sprays are also another way to clean brushes, they clean the brushes but beware they contain alcohol to break down the makeup and ultimately will limit the lifespan of your brushes. They are perfect for a quick clean when doing makeup but ultimately your brushes should be washed properly every week for a deep clean.

Louise

Louise Keane Makeup