I have one very dirty little secret when it comes to my beauty routine: I rarely clean my brushes. It's kind of embarrassing to admit. I'm not sure if this makes a difference but I swear I'm not a dirty gross person you guys, I'm just super lazy when it comes to that sort of thing.

I confess that I know that I should clean my brushes (and I'm sure Mandy will chastise me over and over when she reads this). It doesn't come as a surprise to me that dirty brushes contain bacteria which in turn cause breakouts. Cleaning your brushes will not only help clear skin but it will prolong the life of your brush. Using brushes with caked on powders is also just bad beauty practice! A clean brush is going to make applying blush or powder that much easier and smoother. 

For the most part, all brush cleaning techniques contain the same or similar ingredients: a mild detergent or shampoo and maybe a conditioning ingredient. Although, there are always variations and tips about what "works best". Of course, the only person who can say what works for you, is, well, you. So here's a round up of some of the makeup brush cleansers and cleaning tips we've come across and an easy DIY cleanser for your brushes. 

Cleaning Brush Methods + Tips and Tricks 


1. Dishwashing detergent is a staple in many brush washing methods. It's easy because most likely you will have it on hand and it's inexpensive. It's antibacterial and will definitely strip away any dirt. You can also mix detergent with a shampoo (like the ones I'll talk about below!).  
2. Toe separators can be used to help keep brushes separate from each other while drying. Or, try air drying them brush side down in a jar. 
3. 2-in-1 shampoo is excellent because the shampoo helps to clean away all the yucky stuff but the conditioner helps to soften the brush hairs at the same time. 
4. Baby shampoo is milder than regular shampoos making it perfect for washing brushes. What you want is to get rid of all the old makeup and bacteria but still keep the brush hairs hydrated. Baby shampoo does the trick here!
5. Olive oil is an excellent and handy ingredient to have to condition your brushes after washing them. 
6. If all else fails, a ready made cleanser may be for you. If you're on the go or a busy makeup artist, it might be a good idea to invest in an easy brush cleanser. 
7. Once you've cleaned your brushes, keep them away from all that acne causing bacteria by using a product like Brush Guards. 

Tip: It is mostly recommended that you wash your brushes once a month! 

DIY Brush Cleanser 
 

This quick recipe is perfect to keep on hand, in a spritzer bottle for cleaning your brushes:
 
1. 1/4 cup alcohol
2. 1 cup distilled water
3. 1tbsp liquid spray-in conditioner 
4. 1/2 tbsp dishwashing liquid 
5. 1/2 tbsp. shampoo (try a baby or mild shampoo) 
Add all elements into a bottle and mix together. 

Are you guys dedicated brush washers? How often do you wash them?
 
(via youtube.com, thekit.ca, bubzbeauty.com)