How I Clean my Makeup Brushes When They Are Really, Really Dirty / by Erin Baynham

wine and makeup brushes I had very high hopes for today's blog post. And then, I realized that I was too full and far too tired to do a tutorial today. Instead, I'm showing you what I did on Christmas Eve. Over the past few weeks, I'd go to do a makeup look, only to realize that the usual cleaners weren't getting the job done. Do you know why? Because they needed to be washed. Badly. Since these are my personal brushes, I follow this routine. Note: I don't know if this is the right or wrong way, but it's my way. It gets my brushes clean.

1. Fill a container with a mix of water, dishwashing liquid, and a bit of MAC Brush Cleanser. (I've used shampoo in the past, but it doesn't disinfect.)

2. Swish and swash the brushes.

3. Sip a glass of wine. I prefer Riesling. Whatever will do. : )

4. Take a dollop of the cleanser of your choice (again, I grab good old Dawn) and put it in the palm of your hand. Take the larger brushes and swirl them around in your hand, creating a lather. (This isn't always necessary for all brushes. Many get clean just using steps 1-3.)

5. Rinse in warm water.

6. When the water runs clean, your brush is probably clean too.

7. Repeat. (Sip as needed)

8. Hold brushes upside down, so the hair is facing the ground. Spin the handle between your palms to let the water "spray" out.

9. Lay the brushes on a few paper towels.

10. Fin

Drying brushes

As you can see, some of the brushes left residue on the towel--back to step 4.

I'm very excited for this last week of 2011! Let's make the most of it!! : )

New Makeup Storage

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