Spring Cleaning, and for every season after that...

You use your makeup brushes nearly every day, but how often are you cleaning them? Think about that a second...you take such good care of you skin, why smear goodness-knows-what-sort of petri dish right into your skin every morning...dead skin cells, oils, pigment, bacteria, dust and dirt...omg??!!

There are several ways to clean your makeup brushes, and all are economical, effective and easy. Here's the dirt: (hee!)

Brushes should be cleaned once a week. I know that seems like a lot of work, but really it's about 5 minutes, after your initial cleaning, that is. If it's been a while or, *gulp* forever, the first time might take a little effort.

You can use many different things to clean your brushes. Dish soap is great for it's degreasing capabilities. Rubbing alcohol too, and it dries fast. Shampoo is another easy solution that is readily available, and lastly a facial toner is great because you can conveniently spritz it on.

Apply the cleaner of choice. Rub the soapy ones into the bristles with some water. With your blush and powder brushes, make sure you get all the way into the middle of the brush with the cleaner. Much residue hides in there and it may take a bit of time to really get the center penetrated. Then, once you've gotten all the bristles coated, lay a clean towel on the table and gently rub them back and forth along the towel fibers. You may be shocked by what is left behind!

Rinse with clean warm water (unless you are using alcohol, then just rinse with more alcohol). Now pick a clean patch of towel and rub them again. Did they leave any pigment behind? If so, do it again. Keep cleaning and rubbing and rinsing until they leave no trace.

Then air dry your brushes. If they have wooden handles and you've used water, try to dry them bristles down, or at least flat so the wood doesn't get too saturated. Over time this will deteriorate it.

The first time will be the hardest to get them clean. Then, if you do it every week afterward, it'll take no time at all because you'll only have a week's worth of oils and pigments built up in there.

Your newly cleaned brushes won't be picking up the blush quite the same way because they won't be sticky with residue, but that is a good thing! Think of all the breakouts you'll save yourself. It's 5 minutes to healthier skin. So worth the effort. Happy Spring Cleaning!