Why is winter just so dang rough on a lady’s skin?  It seems like all summer and early fall I am breakout free and the flaws of being 40-something just aren’t as obvious.

Then bam…. winter hits and my face is splotchy, itchy, dry and has a tendency to break out.

I thought I left all of that behind in my teen years, but apparently not.

So, it’s up to me to take care of my skin in the harsh winter weather, keeping it clean and moisturized (morning and night using Estee Lauder’s Day Wear & Advanced Night Repair) as well as staying plenty hydrated at least 80 ounces water each day .  While breakouts are often just a part of being a woman, I have discovered that one simple activity can help prevent about half of winter breakouts; cleaning your makeup brushes.

Cleaning makeup brushes is probably the last thing in the world we think about while we rush through our make-up routine every morning.

I love to swish the brush through the flavor  color of the day and paint my face as if it was a canvas never once thinking that I may need to clean the brushes I am using ….. OK, so it’s more like slap on a little color as I race madly out the door, but we can pretend it’s all glamorous & I still don’t think about cleaning the brushes!  

Taking a little time to fix ourselves up is so much more fun than the time it takes to clean a mess, but cleaning those brushes that without a doubt harbor germs, dirt, sweat, and dry skin will make all the difference in the world in helping with breakouts and even help your make-up go on a bit more smoothly.

I have a fair amount of brushes that fit all of my needs from starting with a clean face every morning to touch ups at the gym after a workout and before my next client.  I do try to keep these separate, but they all must be kept clean.

I recommend washing your makeup brushes thoroughly at least once a month.  Set aside 15-20 minutes one morning after you are ready for the day and  wash away.  You can easily purchase a store-bought cleaner from Sephora or Ulta, but I prefer a homemade product just out of sheer convenience.

Two of my favorite formulas are vinegar and warm water, or Dawn (with Olay) and warm water.  That’s it, plain and simple.

I use 1/2 cup of vinegar (preferably white , but I was out….) and 1/2 cup warm water to swish my eye, blush and powder brushes in.  Then I rinse them in warm water making sure the water runs clear before reshaping and allowing them to dry.

For my foundation and concealer brushes I use 1 tablespoon Dawn detergent with Olay (some people use baby shampoo) and 1/2 cup warm water.  Cleaning these brushes take a little more effort as you know how thick and gummy foundation can become!  I rinse them thoroughly, making sure all of the soap is removed, reshape the brushes and leave to dry on a clean towel.

If you clean them in the morning before you head out for work or to run errands, they should be dry by the evening. If not completely, they will be when you are ready to use them the next morning!

Just a little tip… if your brushes start shedding while you are using or cleaning them, it’s time to replace the brush.  I like to find mine on sale at Ulta or Sephora, but I have discovered TJ Maxx carries a brand called Bamboo that is pretty fabulous indeed!

Do you use makeup brushes or the little spongy things that comes with your make-up?  How do you keep your clean?

Until Next Time,