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Please Wash Your Makeup Brushes!

 

 

Nasty, dirty things.

Would you sleep on the same pillow case every night for 3 months?  No way, that’s gross.  So why are you repeatedly putting something on your face without washing it regularly?  Your makeup brushes need a bath, right now.

I’m a bit of a germ freak when it comes to my makeup brushes for my business.  All clients get their own set of clean brushes, washed with anti-bacterial soap and water.  Why am I so vigilant about this?  I don’t want disgusting dirty stuff put on my face, so I don’t put it on my client’s faces.

Washing makeup brushes is easy and should be done on a regular basis.  The brushes will feel softer and work better without all the layers of gunk on them.  Washing brushes will not make the hairs fall out, but some shedding occurs with all brushes, especially less expensive ones.

Start by gathering your dirty brushes.  Get a fresh towel and spread it out to give the clean brushes a place to lay flat and dry.

The best soap to use for natural hair brushes (blush, powder, eye shadow) is a mild shampoo.  Baby shampoo works well or any regular shampoo that you have in the house.  For synthetic brushes (foundation, concealer, eye liner, lip) use a liquid dish soap that you would use to hand wash dishes, not the stuff for the dishwasher.  I usually try to find one that says something about dissolving grease.

Using warm water, wet the brush then work a little soap into it.  Swirl the brush around in the palm of your hand gently, never pushing too hard which will damage the hairs.  Let the brush lather up to get rid of all the makeup.

Hold the brush under the running water and work out the soap, gently spreading the hairs.  Try not to get any water into the ferrule, which is the part that attaches the hairs to the handle, the silver thing on this brush.  If too much water gets into the ferrule right where it is attached to the brush handle, your brush may get damaged and fall apart.  For very soiled brushes, the process may need to be repeated until all the makeup is dissolved.  Do not use any hair conditioner.  Do not leave them to soak.

Fresh and clean

Squeeze out the excess water and smooth the hairs out.  Lay flat to dry.

Do this on a weekly basis (at least) to keep your brushes clean and bacteria free.  Brushes will last for many years if treated with love.  Happy washing!

All photos:  Tracy Sotirakis

 

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Lipstick Mania!

 

Photo by Tracy Sotirakis

Is this necessary?  To some, this may be overkill.  Do I need ALL these lip glosses, lip stains and lipsticks in my gigantic purse every day?  Yes!  Most of the time, I apply my makeup at home before work or going out and then do my lips in the car….not while driving though!

Lipstick is very important.  Light to dark, glossy to matte, it makes your whole look complete.  Even if you are rockin’ super dark smoky eyes, you still need some sort of lip goo, whether it is just gloss or a nice neutral tone lipstick.  Bare lips are just boring.  Even the classic Cherry Chap Stick has a slight tint to it.  My favorite lip balm with a slight ruby tint is the cult classic Bonnie Bell Dr. Pepper flavor.  It’s pretty and smells good too.

It has been said, “A day without lipstick is like a day without sunshine”.  Very true.  Even if I take a very small clutch purse with me for a quick trip out, there are at least two lip products in it.

Do I look crazy sometimes with my bright coral lipstick?  Maybe.  Do I look like a gothic angel with my light skin and dark berry stained lips?  Absolutely.  It’s fun, looks sexy and washes off if you by chance look like a clown.  At least I will have another color and formula in my bag so I can change it if needed.

So yes, I really need all these lip products.  I bet you have a nice supply too!

P.S.  As I wrote this blog and took the picture, my husband walked by and saw the lip products on the kitchen counter and said that it was absolutely ridiculous.  He just doesn’t get it.