Expert advice on caring for brushes, sponges and puffs properly.
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To get started you need some tissues and antibacterial dishwashing detergent. The detergent is perfect because it will disintegrate any grease or oil. Squeeze a little detergent on the brush and gently work it through with your fingers. Put the brush under warm running water and continue to work the soap through all the bristles in the direction of the hair, taking care not to bend the bristles. The soap will be creamy and opaque at first, then less so until you just have clear running water going through the bristles.
Put the freshly washed brushes on a paper towel or dish towel to dry, and reshape the brushes as necessary. For example, if a brush ends in a point, smooth the bristles back into a point. You can place the brushes near a heat source, like a radiator, but never directly on top.
For powder brushes, the directions are almost identical, with the exception that you don't have to wash them as frequently and you should use mild soap or shampoo. Again, be gentle. It's like washing your favourite La Perla bra, not scrubbing stains out of your jeans.
Sponges and puffs
You should wash your sponges with mild soap under warm running water after every application. You should wash puffs in the same manner every few days or each week. Some makeup artists throw their puffs into the washing machine, but I don't recommend it. Most laundry detergents aren't mild enough, and all the tumbling around can damage them.
Put your sponges and puffs on a paper towel or dish towel to let them air dry. You may need to reshape your puffs.
Carry with care
Do you travel with your tools? Maybe you take them to work every day, or perhaps you're going on a vacation and want to bring them along. Make sure to have a nice case or brush roll in which to carry them. Don't toss them into your makeup bag where they'll get beaten up and dirty. Another option is to buy a travel-size brush kit that comes with a special carrying case.
Image courtesy Simon & Schuster
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 | Copyright 2006 by Laura Mercier. Reprinted by permission. Excerpted from the book The New Beauty Secrets: Your Ultimate Guide to a Flawless Face by Laura Mercier, published by Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc. |
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