How to Clean Makeup Brushes (Learned from Michelle Phan)

So, before I start this post, I want to start by saying that I learned this technique from Michelle Phan (Owner of Ipsy and EM Cosmetics). She posted the video on Youtube (click link to view) almost 4 years ago, and this has been a successful method for me.

As she states in the video, it is really important to clean your makeup brushes because they harbor bacteria! EWW! and no one wants extra bacteria all over their face.

If you aren't aware of some of the things that bacteria can cause on your skin?face here's a short list:

Oily residue (causing a shiny complexion)
Acne
Irritated Eyes
Pink Eye
MrSa (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

So next time you go to use your brushes, think about the last time you washed them and if its about that time.

Besides keeping your skin clean and healthy, cleaning your brushes regularly also helps to keep them in good condition and ensure that you have long lasting, quality brushes.

Things you will need:
Anti-Bacterial Soap (Such as Dawn dish soap)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
A flat surface such as a plate (I used a Tupperware)
Paper towels
Parchment paper
Glass Cup or Jar
Sink

Why Anti-Bacterial Soap and EVOO you ask?

Well, the soap is easy, to get rid of the bacteria of course! That's our number one goal here! I use Dawn Ultra Original Scent (the blue one). I like the original scent because its more mild than some of the others, and I don't like a strong scent on my brushes. The bad thing about using a soap like this is that it gets rid of grease and oils. While this may be great when your washing dishes, there are some oils in the bristles of your brushes that are needed to keep them soft and in good quality, which is where our EVOO comes in. While the soap would normally cause your brushes to become dry and brittle, the EVOO will keep the necessary moisture needed.

Step 1:  Prepare Work area, Brushes and Soap Mixture

Before I start anything, I lay out some parchment paper to cover my work space. Parchment paper is great because you can set your brushes right on it and the soap wont seep through.

Then I dust off all my brushes to remove any loose particles.

Here are my personal brushes, I will also be cleaning my client brushes as well.


In the video Michelle uses a plate to combine her soap and EVOO, but I used this tupper wear instead cause I had it handy, and I wanted to avoid spillage. 

So on your surface, combine a 3:1 mixture of your Soap and EVOO

Step 2: Cleaning your brushes

 

You can do this one of two ways, combine the mixture before you start, or just combine as you go.

 

I like to just dab my brush between the two, making sure to pick up a little more soap than oil. I like doing it this way to control the amount of oil each brush gets.

(Smaller brushes need less than big brushes)

 

Once you have your cleanser on your brush, rub it around on your hand to work the good stuff in, and work the old colors and nasty bacteria out. then set them on your parchment paper while you finish the rest.

Some brushes may be dirtier than others (like my dark eye shadow brush) and may need some extra attention.

 tip: use paper towels to clean your hands as you go.

Step 3: Rinse with WARM water

COLD water makes it harder to get the soap out, and HOT water can loosen the glue, and ruin your bristles. So use warm water, and rinse until water runs clear and free of soap. This may take a while so be patient and make sure you have the time to focus on your brushes, any delays could cause chemicals or water to sit in your brushes, causing damage.

Step 4: Drying and Storage

This is where your paper towels and your glass cup or jars come in handy.
I don't have the brush guards that Michelle uses in her video, but this method works for me.

I take one paper towel and fold it into a square and place it at the bottom of my jar.
As I rinse, I ring out the brush and place them gently brush side down.
To prevent moisture from getting trapped, I do change the paper towel out as needed.

When I'm done, I normally place my brushes back in the carrying cases they came in, but for my personal brushes, I will be decorating and making  a storage jar with one of these.

I love this method, its the quickest and most efficient way that I have found.

While a lot of people say that Johnson's baby soap is the best way, I found that it does not clean as well, as it doesn't have the anti- bacterial properties.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog! Please, leave me your thoughts and feed back below! I love to hear from you!

Happy New Year to you and yours! <3

P.S. Please leave suggestions for Next Thursdays post!