Questions About Cleaning Make-Up Brushes? Here's my input. :-)

From Left to Right: Kroger EVOO, Elf Brush Cleaner, Elf Brush Shampoo, M.A.C Brush Cleanser, Japonesque Parian Spirit. I'll go into more details about these products in another post.

I frequently get questions regarding the upkeep of make-up brushes.  They range from "Do I really need to clean them?" to "How often is it required?".  Yes you definitely need to clean your make-up brushes.  This is imperative not just a suggestion.  It's unhealthy and unsanitary for you to continue using dirty brushes.

Make-up brushes should be viewed as an investment. Just as you would clean and maintain your car, you will need to do the same thing with your brushes. Hey, your brushes may outlast your car.  LOL! :D I know I have a few Essence of Beauty brushes that I purchased from CVS in 2002.

So what do I use and how often do I wash my brushes?

For my personal brushes:
I use brush cleanser (my fave is from MAC) a few times a week.  I deep cleanse them with olive oil and Elf Brush Shampoo or antibacterial soap about 2-3 times/month.
For the brushes in my professional make-up kit:
I use brush cleanser after I use them, and when I'm finished working and back home, I'll wash them all with EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) and either Elf brush Shampoo, dishwashing liquid, or some type of  antibacterial soap.  Many people recommend using baby shampoo or even adult shampoo.  I don't like these because #1) they don't get all of the make-up out of my brushes and #2) most regular shampoos aren't antibacterial.  After washing my brushes,  I reshape them and I lay them flat on a paper towel hanging over the kitchen counter to dry over night.

So how do you take care of your make-up brushes?