Are you tired of using generic cleaning methods for your makeup brushes? Well, it’s time to take your brush cleaning routine to the next level and learn how the beauty experts themselves keep their brushes sparkling clean. We’ve gathered tips and tricks from top makeup artists who work backstage and at editorial shoots to ensure their tools are always in top shape. Get ready to discover the secrets that will transform your brush cleaning routine!
Tom Pecheux: The Organic Approach
Tom Pecheux, a renowned makeup artist, swears by using organic soap to clean his brushes. He recommends using a bar of Savon De Marseille Olive Oil Soap and directly rubbing the brushes onto the soap. Tom cleans his brushes after each use and occasionally gives them a thorough wash with the bar soap, letting them chill over an air conditioner to soften. He emphasizes the importance of letting the brushes dry naturally and standing up to maintain their shape. For synthetic brushes, Tom relies on hand sanitizer after each use.
Beau Nelson: The Perfect Combo
Beau Nelson, another talented makeup artist, has found his perfect cleaning combo. He uses the Beautyblender Solid Blendercleanser for natural hair brushes, which is portable and doesn’t leak. Beau also conditions his natural hair brushes with regular hair conditioner, allowing them to soak for an hour. When it comes to synthetic brushes, he turns to dish soap like Dawn to cut through the stubborn cosmetic oils and silicones. But the real game-changer for Beau is the Sigma Beauty Spa Brush Cleaning Glove. Paired with the Blendercleanser, it ensures his brushes are cleaner than ever before.
Lottie: Simple and Effective
Lottie, a makeup artist with a passion for simplicity, opts for unscented Savon de Marseille Bar Soap to shampoo her brushes. She lays them flat to dry overnight and uses dish soap only for stubborn grease paints or glitter. Lottie prefers synthetic brushes for these tough cleaning tasks to protect the delicate hairs from damage.
Mario Dedivanovic: The Gentle Touch
Mario Dedivanovic, known for his flawless makeup on celebrities, has a gentle approach to brush cleaning. He starts by thoroughly wetting the brushes and gently rubbing them onto a bar of antibacterial soap. After rinsing with warm water, Mario washes them one more time using a gentle shampoo like Johnson’s Baby Shampoo. To add a touch of luxury, he mixes a couple of drops of tea tree oil with the shampoo for its antiseptic benefits and pleasant scent. After the final rinse, Mario gently squeezes the excess water from the brushes and lays them on a clean towel to dry.
Gucci Westman: Embracing Natural Cleansers
Gucci Westman, a makeup artist known for her organic and clean beauty approach, opts for the Éminence Organics Natural Brush Cleanser. She also discovered an Organic Lavender Brush Cleanser from Afterglow Cosmetics that she loves. Gucci cleans her brushes every day after use and performs a deep clean once a week to eliminate accumulated bacteria. For a deep clean, she uses Rahua Shampoo, putting the cleanser in a cap and dipping her brushes in it. After washing, she lets the brushes dry on a towel. When pressed for time, Gucci sprays them and ensures they are as dry as possible before storing them in brush cases to maintain their shape and integrity.
Hung Vanngo: The Neat Freak Ritual
Hung Vanngo, a self-proclaimed neat freak, believes in cleaning brushes after every single makeup look. He pours liquid brush cleanser into a small bowl and dips each brush, swirling it around to dissolve the dirt. After that, he uses tissues to soak up the excess liquid and lays the brushes flat on a paper towel to dry. For brushes used with heavy pigments or lip products, Hung uses The Masters’ Brush Cleaner and Preserver, originally designed for painter’s brushes. You can find this cleaner at any art supply store, and it effectively strips off oils and pigments.
Brigitte Reiss-Andersen: The Spirit Solution
Brigitte Reiss-Andersen, a makeup artist, prefers a spirit solution to clean her brushes effortlessly. She never uses water as it can make the brushes smell terrible and damage the bristles. Instead, she recommends finding a spirit solution from brands like Japonesque, Ben Nye, or Cinema Secrets, which are readily available nowadays. The alcohol in these solutions not only cleans the brushes perfectly but also acts as an instant disinfectant. Brigitte suggests pouring enough cleaner into a glass or paper cup to cover the bristles, dipping the brush into the solution, and moving it around to dissolve the dirt. Afterward, place the brush on a paper towel, squeeze thoroughly, and let it dry on a towel. Brigitte prefers squeezing rather than rubbing to ensure the brushes last longer.
Now that you’ve got the inside scoop from the beauty experts, it’s time to elevate your brush cleaning game. Say goodbye to generic cleaning methods and embrace the techniques used by the professionals. Remember, clean brushes lead to flawless makeup application, so make this a priority in your beauty routine. For more beauty tips and tricks, visit beauty and discover a world of beauty inspiration!
Photographed by Tom Newton.