Do I Really Need To Clean My Makeup Brushes?

All the time I hear people tell me they don't think its necessary, or they don't have the time or patience to clean their brushes.

"It's just my face."

Well, your face gets dirty too... Your skin produces an oil, called sebum, and that can harbor bacteria. You touch your office keyboard, then touch your face, you talk on the phone, and sleep on the same pillow case every night. Yes, you probably wash your face every day, but your skin only stays clean for as long as you don't touch it..

When you touch your face with your makeup brushes, the bacteria and sebum on your face transfers onto your brush. Now your brush is festering with potential infectious bacteria... I know its nasty to think about, but its something that needs to be thought about.. Nobody want's acne, right? You want to do everything in your power to keep those little red demons off your face, right? Not to mention, eyeshadow brushes can really build up product, and eventually, your eye looks will start looking muddy, as the pigments mix. So, why wouldn't you wash your brushes??

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't WASH my brushes every day, I'm lucky to do it every week.. But I DO CLEAN my brushes after every use.

"How can you clean your brushes without washing them?" Great question!!!

The answer: Alcohol! Specifically 70% Isopropyl Alcohol.

I use this EVERY day, usually at night before going to bed, I'll sit down and clean my brushes while watching TV and getting ready to turn in for the night. It takes less than a commercial break to clean all the brushes I'd use for a daily makeup look.

You simply need to decanter some alcohol into a good quality spray bottle with a fine mist setting. Then, all you need to do is lay your brush on a towel, spray the bristles and then wipe the brush on the towel until no more color transfers.

Yes, this can be drying to your brushes, particularly natural haired brushes. That's why I try to give my brushes a nice conditioning wash about once a week.

Whether you've invested a lot or a little into your makeup brushes, you want them to last a long time, proper cleaning and sanitation can really help to extend the life of your brushes.

I hope you found this post helpful!!

Have a fantastic day!!! <3 nbsp="" p="">

Top 5 Products For Busy Moms!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

In honor of today, I thought I would share with you my top 5 favorite products as a busy mom!
These products are all designed to speed up makeup application and/or extend the wear of your makeup so you don't have to worry about touch ups!!

1. Long Wearing Cream Shadows:

My favorite are the Maybelline Color Tattoos, but, I also really like the Rimmel Scandaleyes jumbo pencils, too. With the Maybelline, I find I do not need a primer for them to last all day, however, the Rimmel pencils usually do need to be applied on top of a primer, otherwise my oily lids will eventually cause them to crease.

2. Full coverage BB or CC Creams:

These are easy to apply, and some come with great coverage. My favorite is the Garnier BB Cream for Combination/Oily skin. It has a medium to full coverage formula that sits well on my skin. My only problem is that I can only ever find the Light/Medium shade, and the color is about 2 shades to dark for me, so I have to mix it with a lighter shade foundation.

3. Blending Sponges:

I ADORE the RealTechniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. I also have one that I found at TJMaxx, which is more similar to the Beauty Blender in shape. I love to use these, because they make quick work out of blending in foundation and concealer, and you only need one tool to do both. Also, even though they make quick work of blending, you still get a beautiful finish that has no brush strokes or odd textures.

4. Lip Stains, Balm Stains, Chubby Sticks and Tinted Lip Balms:

These are so easy to chuck on in a hurry, and are convenient enough to toss in a purse or pocket for quick touch ups on the go! I really love the Revlon Kissable Balmstains, and The Rimmel Show Off's.

And last but NOT least...
5. Setting Sprays:

My number 1 favorite setting spray is the ELF Mist & Set. I have been using this for years, now, and I have found that when I set my foundation with this, I can blow my nose, and not remove any foundation with the tissue!! The best part about this product is the price!!! It's only $3!!!

These are all products I've been using for years, now, and I can honestly say, I don't know what I would do without them... They are staples in my collection and will be for years to come!!!

I hope you enjoy this post! Leave me a comment down below letting me know what your favorite products are for your "Mom Makeup Routine!"

Hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day!!!!