How I Deep Clean My Makeup Brushes

Cleaning your makeup brushes is one of those mundane tasks that we must all carry out (unless of course you like to spread bacteria across your face). You'd be surprised at how many people I come across who have used the same foundation brush for months or years and NEVER washed it. Sickening isn't it. For those of you who don't wash your brushes regularly, let me tell you exactly why it's a very good idea. When you apply foundation to your face, you are picking up bacteria from your skin, and it's then left to fester in the brush after use. The next time you go to use it, the same thing happens, except the bacteria that has festered from the time before, it now ALSO on your skin. It's a vicious circle, that I can assure you, will only ever cause you to break out in spots. Obviously eye brushes are a less of a problem, but it's still important to do a deep clean (as opposed to a spot clean - cleaning quickly with a makeup brush solution after each use) every few weeks, just to make sure they are bacteria free. I am lucky in the fact I have quite a lot of brushes, so after using one brush, I can then use a different one another day instead of having to be constantly deep cleaning brushes 24/7. If you have problem skin or acne, I'd definitely advise that you clean your brushes a little more than average person, you may notice an improvement. 

1. Lay out all your dirty brushes ready for cleaning to commence!
2. Dampen the brush slightly with lukewarm water.
3. Pump your cleaning product of choice (I often use a mild shampoo but at the moment I'm using a Dove hand wash because it leaves the brushes exceptionally soft, and I like to think that the anti bacterial properties of a hand wash are beneficial in cleaning away all the nastiness.)
4. Start swirling your brush around on the palm of your hand, occasionally adding a little bit of water to lather up the product and allow the brush to be thoroughly saturated. 
5. Squeeze out excess product and watch all the foundation drip away into the plug hole!
6. Repeat if necessary (stubborn dirt or a very dense brush)
7. Marvel your clean brush (yes, that's very important...)

*Also, try not to use too much water, we don't like to waste now do we! It must be a running tap though, as there is no point washing your brushes in a pool of cloudy, dirty water. Just make sure you are turning it off between steps and between brushes*  

I also just thought I would add a little memo about my favourite brushes as a little extra to this blogpost (I will do a separate in depth blog post). As you can see, the green Bdellium tools brushes feature heavily. These are by far my favourite brushes for applying foundation. In particular, I love to use the 957 from the Green Bamboo Foundation Brush Kit (Shown in the photos & sold on Louise and I's "Louella" shop - get yours HERE) and the 959 which is a rounded top brush. I actually own 3 of the 959 brushes...yes, THREE because I love them so much. (This brush can be found in the Green Bamboo Mineral Kit also available on "Louella" HERE). I can't recommend them highly enough, I absolutely love them. They buff foundation into the skin like a dream. 

Hope you found this blog post helpful! How many of you are now going to run and wash your brushes?

♥

Out of Brush Cleaner?

My brushes we're in desperate need of a good clean, and low & behold, i was totally out of brush cleaner & no baby shampoo.
So, the only thing i could find, which i didn't think would be too harsh on the brushes, was this Dove hand wash.
I dampened each brush under luke-warm water, added a pea sized amount to the bristles, and lathered it up in my hand. I then rinsed & repeated if it was needed.
The first thing i noticed, was how amazingly well it took out any staining, this hand wash went beyond any other brush cleaner i've used & removed EVERYTHING.
It's been a long time since my brushes have looked new & white.



After leaving them to dry, i noticed how incredibly soft they were. I even think they were softer than when i first bought them. I spent ages brushing them over my face in amazement.
Then came the time i had to use them and dirty them up, it was very hard, but i managed okay with the reasurrance this hand wash will still be by my sink for when the day comes to re-wash. :)

I'm not sure of the price, nor where you can purchase this. I'm going to point out the obvious places like Boots & Superdrug & say it's probabaly the price of a standard hand wash, but in all seriousness, this worked like a dream.

Thank you Dove, you marvellous bird you.
♥

Packages in the Post

This isn't a blogpost about things i have ordered.
These are things which have been sent to me by girls who follow my blog.
I absolutely adore being sent cards/gifts. Being sent from companies it's not exactly that personal, but from someone who has made something themselves, it has so much more meaning :)

The first package is from the gorgeous Sammie,
You can view her Youtube Channel HERE, and her Blog HERE



She sent me a brushroll which she had custom made. Now, personally, something like this which has been made by someone, is a lot more satisfying to own. I have always wanted a brush roll, it makes transporting your brushes SO much easier. Yes, you can shove them into a large makeup bag, but it will just ruin the shape of the brushes, and lets face it, this is just so cute. I have spent a fair bit of money on my mac brushes, they deserve the best treatment possible..that & i don't want to be forking out for new ones.
It's pretty, it's pink, it has flowers & ribbon..it is the ultimate girly brush storage. I love it. I have all my brushes slotted neatly into each compartment. I also found it was great for allowing brushes to dry, usually i will just put them on a towel and leave them that way, but you can just pop them in here also. :)
Sammie is actually selling these brush rolls, and i would strongly urge you to go & have a look on her blog. They are a fabulous price also at £13.95. I will probabaly buy one for a friend or my mum. I haven't ever seen a brush roll SO cute.

Thankyou so much Sammie, I LOVE it :)

The next package i recieved was from Louise who is a follower of my blog.
I found Louise on Youtube & instantly LOVED her videos & bubbly personality. See her video's HERE. She does fab reviews. You can also find her Blog HERE



She just sent these gifts without agenda as she loved my blog, how sweet!
She actually makes & sells Jewellery in craft shops around where she lives. Very creative missy!
The card was also so so lovely of her & i will keep it forever :)

I love my followers i really do!
♥