For any artist, much of the joy in creating something beautiful lies in how close the outcome is to his imagination and this is where the quality of his tools matters the most. Since make up brushes form the most important part of the arsenal of any make up artist, it is imperative for him not only to be conversant with the various types of brushes and their functions but also their quality. Irrespective of whether the result should be glamorous or a reflection of natural, high quality cosmetic brushes improve the accuracy of application as also enhance the adherence capability of the pigment.
Applying make up with good quality make up brushes is indeed a pleasure but if this joy is to endure through many more sessions then maintenance is a mandatory requisite. In fact anyone with experience would tell you that caring for these brushes commences as soon as they are purchased, with the first cycle entailing proper washing and rinsing. The purpose of this is to remove any manufacturing remnant like residue, loose hair or dye and this is followed by drying the cosmetic brushes on a paper towel while reshaping them simultaneously.
Because make up brushes are used for application of sticky compounds like lipstick, colors, eyeliners and so on, product build-up is inevitable and if not removed it soon becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Hence cleaning the brush after every use is a must and while some people might use an alcohol-based cleaner, others prefer a mild shampoo. While the former has the advantage of immediate re-use owing to the short drying time, in case of latter the duration can extend to as long as eight hours. Revival of cosmetic brushes is subsequently achieved by using specialized cleansing solutions.
Staining of make up brushes is another common problem which artists complain about and the only effective remedy is to rinse them immediately after use. Having been rinsed, washed and cleaned, it is but natural for brushes to lose their shape and most of the bristles are out of their designated positions. Since some of the alcohol and water are still retained, this is an appropriate moment to reshape them and lay them out to dry. Cosmetic brushes should always be laid flat and never in a vertical position as they are bound to lose their shape.
The fact that make up brushes are delicate and hence should be treated accordingly is a fact which every user must bear in mind. To this effect, attempts should never be made to hasten up the drying process by placing them out under the sun or trying to blow-dry them. These practices tend to cause permanent harm and if used repeatedly are prone to render the brush redundant within no time. If time is of essence, a better solution would be to clean the cosmetic brushes with alcohol based cleaners and soak them on paper towels till they are completely dry.
Frequency of cleaning depends on the owner as also the type of usage but ideally make up brushes should be cleaned at least once a week. Brushes used for application of liquid or cream need to be cleaned more frequently than powder brushes and this universal rule is applicable to all brands. Another noteworthy guideline pertaining to cosmetic brushes is that natural bristles should be cleaned with gentle shampoo while for synthetic bristles using soap and water is the best remedy. Subsequent to cleaning brushes should be stored separately in a case and under no circumstances be allowed to mix with other paraphernalia.