Spring Clean Your Makeup Brushes

I got into makeup brushes when I was about 15, thanks to Bobbi Brown’s ultimate teen beauty bible Teenage Beauty. I have to say that this book gave me the light and courage in my awkward teens, and while I don’t use her products, I still think she rocks. It’s where my love of beauty began.

Anyway, I digress. Makeup brushes. You slather them repeatedly all over your face, multiple times every day. Sometimes when your face is clean, other times when you’ve been out and about in the city air all day. No surprises then that your brushes tend to harbour all kinds of bacteria – sometimes as many as six different kinds at one time. Eeeek! So when you don’t clean your brushes, the bacteria simply builds. And bacteria = breakouts. Breakouts = more bacteria on the brush and in your makeup. Get it? It’s a vicious circle. But that’s not the worst bit…bacteria can also lead to rashes, infections and skin sensitivities.

Enough of the scare mongering, it’s time to ditch the dirt(y brushes)! Time to start cleaning!

Makeup artists recommend cleaning your foundation brushes daily. Punchy. I mean, I definitely don’t have time for that, so we’ve whipped up something a little extra strength which will keep the nasty bugs at bay and only requires a quick spritz once a week. Easy!

Make Up Cleaner

Makes 100ml

30ml Witch Hazel
10ml Rubbing Alcohol or Vodka
30ml Dr Bronner’s Castille Soap
30ml Sweet Almond Oil

Blend all ingredients together and decant into a spray bottle. Use weekly as a soak or spray directly onto the bristles, rinse and let dry.

Happy cleaning!

– Elsie Rutterford & Dominika Minarovic