Your brushes need love, too!

Do you wash your brushes?  If your answer is no, I'm going to put my fingers in my ear and hum loudly so I can pretend I didn't hear that.  If your answer is yes, then good for you!

Washing brushes is REALLY important.  Brushes pick up the oil and germs that are on your face, which can then fester and make a breeding ground for bacteria.  Eww!  That's not good for continued use on your face.  Having dirty brushes can lead to eye infections (~hurk~) or acne.  Plus, clean brushes help makeup application easier.

Washing brushes is simple!  I'm providing you with a step-by-step instruction guide complete with pictures.  Here we go!

Today I'm cleaning my e.l.f. Professional Bronzing Brush.  (I use this brush for blush, not bronzer.)

First, pick your favorite facial cleanser.  Some companies make brush shampoo but I all the ones I've used have irritated my eyes.  (e.l.f. was the worst offender.)  I've also heard of people using baby shampoo, which I've done before.  Honestly, facial cleanser works best for me but experiment with what works for you.  I use what I consider to be "The Classics":  Either Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash or Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser.  These are both mild and don't irritate my skin.  (Don't use a facial cleanser that has any kind of beads or exfoliators.)

Put 1-2 pumps in a sink with warm water.  Be sure to agitate it so you get some bubbles.  Drop your brush in!

Let it sit for a minute and then swirl it around in the soapy water.  Add a pump of the facial cleanser to your palm and swirl the brush around in it.  Gently massage the brush head.

When you're done cleaning the brush head, rinse it out with lukewarm water.

Then, squeeze out the excess water with a  towel.  Make sure to shape the bristles back into their original shape.  

Finally, lay the brush flat on a towel to dry.  DO NOT store it in a cup because the water can settle into the base of the bristles.  This can lead to a destroyed brush - no good!

Shampooing your brushes every two weeks will keep the brushes (and your face!) in good condition!  As my mom would jokingly say, "That'll learn ya, dern ya!"

XOXO

-K

P.S.

Feel free to email me at orangelipstickblog@gmail.com or tweet me at OrangeLipstickK

All items were purchased by Orange Lipstick for personal use and review purposes.  This post contains affiliate links.