Brushes Are A Makeup Artist's Bestfriend

Not too long ago, my Canon D500 was stolen at a bridal fair. It was my husband's Mother's Day gift to me, and my heart bled with the loss. Looking for something to comfort me, I though to myself, "I would rather have the camera stolen than my brushes." Of course, that sentiment wouldn't be shared by my photographer friends. My point is, at least, I could wait and save up for another camera. Losing my brushes would mean that; A) Business will stop for a while, B) I would go bankrupt recovering the cost of my brushes and C) I would never be able to forgive myself. As much as I am makeup obsessed, I am also brush obsessed. I go through phases and in the process, have collected almost a hundred pieces. A DSLR would cost me around Php 40k - but that will only bring me to around twenty pieces of brushes, on the average. 

This post is about taking care of your brushes - synthetic, natural hair, cheap or expensive. I'll discuss my brush collection in another post :) 

So, how do I take care of my brushes? I've placed a rundown of brush cleansing rituals I observe below. 

DEEP CLEANSING

What I mean about deep cleansing is washing your brushes with either a fragrant shampoo or body wash. I think as long as you love the scent your shampoo leaves on your hair, it would be the best thing to use on your brushes. But, should you really want to be anal about it, use clarifying shampoo.

What you need:

• Shampoo/liquid soap
• Running water
• Towel
• Rack
• Soiled brushes

1. Squirt a tiny amount of your cleanser of choice, dampen your brush and use it to lather on the palm of your hand. I like to use my hands and not into containers because, like your hair, you know when you've thoroughly cleaned and rinsed your brush. It also makes sure you avoid capillary action to happen to damage the ferrule. 

2. Rinse thoroughly. Like the hair on your head, you wouldn't want any residue to build up on the brush once it dries. 

3. Have a towel dedicated to your brushes. I recommend white because you can see the stains if you weren't able to clean them well and you can bleach the towel afterwards for any stains. 

4. Have a tray or a drying rack handy to lay your brushes on. I got mine at Daiso and it's meant to be used on plates. You can get it at Japan Home also at only P88!

5. Once all washed brushes are done, squeeze all the excess water out of each one. Wrap the towel around the brush and gently squeeze. 

6.  Leave on the drying rack in a way that the bristles/hair are suspended. Place the brushes in an airy area.  

If done correctly, your brushes will smell great and will look great! Once dry, gently stroke the brushes so they retain the shape. Sometimes a strong stream of air will make some strands stray, but this will do the trick! I clean my brushes this way all the time and hardly rely on Brush Cleanser. Why use wipes when you can wash your face, right? Oh, just in case you still can’t get the color out of those brushes? Try good old dishwashing detergent before shampooing! 

QUICK FIX

I use brush cleansers to disinfect and quickly clean brushes in between jobs (or even with a number of entourage heads). I've used MAC, Parian Spirit (Japonesque carries this) and as of late, my good friend Angelo's own - named after him and his string of salons here in the South. I've fallen in love with Angelo's brush cleansers and I don't think I'd use any other anymore. Here's a lowdown of the three. 

1. MAC

Price: Approximately P700 for 233ml

Pros: Available at all MAC stores, no scent, disinfects and cleans brushes generally well. The empty bottle is eligible to be returned for the Back to MAC program as well (outside the Philippines).

Cons: Need to decant into a spritzer to economize, quite pricey. 

2. Japonesque by Parian Spirit

Price: Approximately P850 for 128ml

Pros: Smells so good! The scent is like citrus cologne. It also cleans oil based makeup better and faster. 

Cons: Expensive! 

3. Angelo Falconi III

Price: Php 480 for 250ml

Pros: The cheapest and most effective in my book. It has two variants, Extra Strength and Regular Strength. Extra Strength is for synthetic brushes and oil based makeup and is excellent for those lip brushes we detest! I use the Regular Strength to sanitize my already washed brushes and for those I just use powder with.  

Cons: It is available only at Purbeauty Serendra and Angelo Falconi III salons.

The quick fix verdict? Angelo’s cleansers deliver and are worth every penny. Brushes dry quicker, and are thoroughly cleansed even without water and shampoo. Another tip, use the Regular Strength to spritz onto pressed powders, eyeshadows and blush to disinfect them quickly. I kid you not, I have used these cleansers on clothes and tables stained with makeup and they have come off! And, no other brush cleanser in the market can take out the lipstick on the lip brushed quite as well as the Extra Strength.

I am a skeptic, and at the same time, stingy. Believe you me, Angelo’s brush cleansers are not only the most affordable in the market, it is also the most effective. Read my tutorial on how to use his brush cleansers here.

At the end of the day, you have to consider if you use your makeup brushes for a living or just for yourself. We makeup artists deal with different faces each time, and it is a must to observe hygiene at all times. Don’t worry about the hair falling off your brushes. If you follow the steps for deep cleaning, you’re actually helping their longevity – thus adding value for your well-spent money.

So how do you clean your brushes? Let me know how you do it, or if you’ve tried what I’ve shared!