Makeup Cleanup During Social Distancing

First there was the Coronavirus.  Next came two weeks of social distancing, or so we thought! Two weeks are up!  Yesterday, the government extended the  “stay at home” order through the end of April. So, what I’ve been doing is something I would never have had the time to do, until now!  I’ve been doing Makeup Cleanup.  First, I went through all of my makeup and skincare.  I threw out the bad.  Then, I made piles of “still good-but I don’t need it, or I don’t want it” makeup, and skincare.  As a result, I am  “making up” special bags for women, in the community, who could use it. I hope that these bags will cheer those out there, who are living alone, and can’t see another person.  But, today, I want to talk about my Makeup Cleanup of my makeup brushes.

Makeup Cleanup Using Brush Cleansing Balm

To explain, I have a zillion makeup brushes. In addition,  My BFF, who calls me a hoarder, told me to wash those brushes. Over the weekend, I was washing brushes with a vengeance! I started with the Real Techniques Brush Cleansing Balm ($8.99).

Although, I realized this mess free solution, wasn’t my solution.  The reason was, a quick swirl, and rinse with warm water, wasn’t cleaning the really filthy brushes. However, had I cleansed the brushes more often, it would have worked.  For example, I should have cleaned the brushes that were in rotation, at least once a week.  Which means, there are so many brushes not in rotation.  Why?  Because they were too dirty. So, instead of babying my brushes, I bought new ones.

Makeup Cleanup Using Shampoo and Philosophy Bath and Body Gel

Second, I started washing my brushes with Philosophy Snow Angel Bath and Body, Shampoo Gel (16 oz on sale for $13.50).  First the Snow Angel did do a better job.  Even more, the brushes smelled delicious.  Yet, it still wasn’t the answer. And, I still had piles of brushes to go.

Wait, I was running out of room in the bathroom to lay the brushes out to dry.  In fact, I started using my blow drier to blow dry the brushes. Every time QVC has a today special value on the Dyson Hair Drier,  I purchased it.  Those of you who follow me, know that I have four daughters-in-law.  At least three of them needed a blow drier.  So,  I gave my girls all my Dyson Blow Dryers.

Hence, the only dryer I have is the shittiest blow drier in the world.  It turns off and on, and only works if I hold it at a special angle.  However, this angle doesn’t blow dry makeup brushes!  (I’m reaching out to QVC here, please have another today special value Dyson Hairdryer!!!!)

This was starting to be a big problem.  So, I had a brilliant idea.

Makeup Cleanup Drying Brushes

Amazon to the rescue!  I went online, and ordered the Sigma Dry and Shape Tower Face Eyes Brush ($58.95) and the Sigma Dry and Shape Tower Eye Brush ($49).  Now this contraption is the real deal!  First, it holds 44 brushes, 20 face brushes, and 24 eye brushes.  Furthermore, it is designed to dry and shape all 44 brushes faster than ever.

In addition, the Sigma Eye Tower holds 48 eyeshadow brushes.

Three things I love about the Sigma Dry and Shape Towers.  First, they give me back my bathroom.  I don’t need to have brushes lying on towels all over the place!

Next, the towers have elastic bands that apply the right amount of pressure on the bristles.  In this way, they can reshape the bristles, upside down.  Even more, they quickly remove the water from every bristle!

Finally, the towers have a patent-pending rubber snap, that holds each brush handle in place.

Moreover, you can attach the Eye Tower to the Eye and Face tower.  As a result, you are only dealing with one large tower.  And, all your brushes are in one safe place. I’ve lost some brushes because my babies snuck in, snatched them, and treated them like they do their bully sticks!

Makeup Cleanup Leave It Too My BFF and DAWN

Thank God I have Randi, my BFF.  She is my hero.  For one thing, we do the Potpourri YouTube Channel together.  Furthermore, Randi loves to play with makeup as much as I do!  Put another way, we are dangerous when we are together in Sephora, Nordstrom, and Ulta!  So, we get into lots of trouble.  Isn’t that the best thing about you and your best friend?  Two kindred spirits.

While doing our YouTubes, we’ve gone through too many jars of It Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup Cleaning Balm 2.82 oz ($38).  So, one day, after we ran out of yet another jar, I started to put Dawn Dishwashing Liquid on paper towels.  As a result, it instantly wiped away arms full of swatches.  Do any of you remember when there was an oil spill in the Gulph of Mexico?   Then, you should remember that the way they cleaned the oil off of baby ducks, and birds, was with Dawn Dishwashing Liquid.  If Dawn was mild enough to clean oil off of delicate baby ducks, it had to work on makeup.

And, it does!

Makeup Cleanup with Dawn

Randi came up with the directions.

First, squirt tons of Dawn into a large pot.  I used one of my Great Dane’s water bowls.

Then, take each brush, swirl it around in the dawn, and put it on the other side of the pot.  At this point no water has been added.  Continue to do this until you have enough brushes to put in your Sigma Brush Towers.

Next, using warm water (hot water will melt the glue that holds the bristles in the handle), fill the pot.  According to Randi, leave it sit for a while, and let the Dawn really set into the brushes to dissolve the makeup.

Finally, one by one, thoroughly rinse each brush with warm water until all of the makeup has run off the brush.  Then, put the brush in the Sigma Brush Tower to dry.

Makeup Cleanup Brush Guards- Brushes Need To Dry Bristle Side Down

To begin with, the correct way to dry your makeup brushes is bristle side down.  The reason for this is, water won’t stay in the barrel of your brush.   If it does, the glue will loosen.  Also, the brush will lose bristles.  Even more, the brush could fall apart.  Therefore, use brush guards, and dry the brushes bristle side down, and your brush won’t fall apart!  If you don’t want to invest in a Brush Tower, you can alway purchase brush guards.First, brush guards are basically breathable polyester sleeves.  One, they protect the shape and  integrity of your brush.  Bristles stay in shape.  Also, they protect your brush when you travel.  And, they always bring your brush back to its perfect shape.

Final Thoughts on Makeup Cleanup During Stay At Home Social Distancing

Dislocating My S.I. Ouch!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To start with, I’m not feeling well.  I was washing my brushes, hanging over my bathtub, for days.  First, my back was aching.  but worse, my S. I. joint pain became unbearable. The reason I dislocated my S. I.  joint from a bad fall two years ago.  I fell backwards on an escalator.  Then I had to fly home from Panama, through Miami.  Unfortunately, a woman passed away during the flight.  So, when we landed in Miami, we had to fill out affidavits.  Of course we all missed our connecting flights.  We had to wait til the morning to get on another flight.  By this time, I was in agony.  And, we couldn’t get a direct flight home.  So we had to land in another airport, an hour and a half away.  No big deal, unless you are in agony!

There is nothing you can do but exercise, and occasionally get a cortisone shot.

Ok, so cleaning my brushes for the past three days, over the bathtub, on my knees,  has caused this dreadful pain.  Was it worth it?  Yes, it was.  Randi thought I should share this with you.  The things we do for the love of makeup!

PS

I’m sorry I haven’t written in a week.  I have been busy cleaning and re-organizing my house so that I can take care if it .  I need to get rid of the clutter.  And, boy do I have a lot of clutter.  Although, I’d love to sit down and knit a sweater, and I will, once my house is finished.  I did my entire kitchen (that is for another day!) Now I am organizing my makeup.  I alway had a lot of makeup, because I love makeup.  And, I have a hard time getting rid of anything.  But, I’ve been blogging about makeup for four years, and have collected an inordinate amount of makeup, brushes, and skincare.

First, I’ll be doing a lot of S.I. exercises. I’m not going to the DR. to get a shot!!!!  Next, I’ll organize myself to start making gifts of makeup bags for charity.  And, that is why these brushes have to be super clean.!

I hope all is well with all of you.  We are all in this together.  So, if I can cheer you up, and take your mind off of things for a few minutes, then I am happy.  I appreciate your visits with me.

xo

There was no copyright infringement intended – I got many of the photos that you’ll see in the blog on google images