How often do you clean your makeup brushes?

How often are you scrubbing your brushes? Did you know it should be done every time you use it? Think about it...go back to when you put makeup on this morning. Did you wash your face prior to application? How about did you wash your hands? Did you wash your counter before placing your brush down? Every time you don't do these things your brushes become infected with whichever germ has decided to move in on that surface. And then that brush is being swept across your face to plant that bacteria. The bacteria finds it nice and moist and relaxing and we get punished for it by breaking out. Then you're dipping that brush back into your makeup allowing colonies to make home of your face. Not so much fun, huh?

Well, there are ways to help prevent this. Wash your hands before handling anything. Wash your face to remove debris prior to application. Place a clean towel or paper towel down on the counter to prevent your brush from touching the counter. Use makeup with preservatives or a dry powder, like mineral makeup. However, if you are using a mineral makeup do not store it in a steamy or moist room such as your bathroom. Bacteria thrives on rich moist areas and will grow in your makeup. If your makeup has a date, be sure to check it. If it's older than a few years throw it out, or you can listen to that old saying "if in doubt, throw it out". Most cream and gels last about a year. Powders usually up to three. But mascara? Only about 4 months. After that they're pretty difficult to use any way because they dry up quickly.

Now that you know what you should be doing and why, would you like to learn how?

Most beauty supply stores sell brush cleaner which can get expensive. Using an antibacterial soap is just fine as long as you condition your brush (if it's a natural hair) regularly. However, I use shampoo. The shampoo I use on my hair is just fine and gentler on my brushes. Using warm water I get my brush wet, squirt a very tiny amount of shampoo on the palm of my hand and paint my palm. You will begin to see all the makeup that has been layered on that brush starting to come off. Once you don't see any color, and you may have to repeat this several times, rinse with warm water and squeeze out excess water. Reshape your bristles and either lay your brush flat, which I recommend, or place bristles up in a cup. If you use your brushes on a daily basis I recommend you condition them so they don't dry out, same as when your washing, about once a month. If not than a few times a year is fine.