Sunday, June 20, 2010

Brush Cleaning - Make Them Last Forever!


I use Japonesque (Parian Spirit), or Vincent Longo brush cleanser while on location to keep brushes clean/sanitized between faces/colors. I tend to shampoo my brushes a couple times a week, depending on how much work I have been doing.



For the deep clean:
>In a large stainless steel mixing bowl (2qt), I put 4oz warm (not hot) water, 1/4 cup 99% Alcohol and Aveda Sap Moss shampoo (about a tablespoon)
>In a stainless steel pinch bowl, I put a dollop of same shampoo
Helpers: 1 large empty stainless steel cup (lay on its side), 4-8 solid white sheets of paper towel, 1 clean cotton hand towel
1. I take the clean cotton towel and do a dry wash to remove much of the make-up residue that is there (wipe back and forth & in swirling motion)
2. Then I take each brush (one at a time) and swirl in the large bowl, gently pressing it against the side of the bowl to really get it saturated
3. Dip my finger in the pinch bowl to put a little shampoo in my palm to gently swirl the brush in (dip in large bowl and repeat until suds is white)
4. Brush gets one final swirl in the large bowl mixture, then a gentle squeeze to remove excess water. Clean brush is then inserted into the stainless steel cup (remember, lying on its side so the water doesn’t invade the ferrule)
5. Repeat steps 1-4 until every brush is done.
6. Empty large bowl and rinse well. Then refill half way with warm water, 1/4 cu alcohol and a tbl spoon of Pantene Relaxed & Natural Conditioner (or any moisturizing conditioner). Whisk with a fork to blend. (mixture will be slightly cloudy)
7. Take each brush and rinse under running water for about 10 seconds – a little longer for larger brushes. Squeeze out excess water
8. Swirl brush in water/conditioner mixture for a few seconds, then again squeeze out excess liquid


Lastly, use the paper towel to gently squeeze out excess water and lay brushes flat to dry overnight. I use solid white paper towel. As you squeeze out water, it is easy to see that you have cleaned the brush thoroughly if no make-up residue stains the paper towel
It takes me about an hour and 40 minutes to do my entire collection (300+ brushes)
Of course you can use whatever shampoo/conditioner you want. This method has worked for me over the years. I have many brushes that are in their late teens/early twenties and still in superb condition.

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Saturday, June 12, 2010

Formspring Q: Im an inspiring Make-up Artist in its very early stage. I have read all of your tips on getting started but there is one thing that is stopping me from pursuing my dream; fear of rejection. Can you tell me the best way to overcome my fear of failure?

My answer:

I have only one answer for how to overcome fear...push beyond it. You have to experience how it feels to achieve a goal & the feeling of rejection as well. The experience itself will teach you how to manage them in the future - as well as sparking your drive to succeed!

Feeling afraid is fine, you just have to decide to deal with it and BE CONFIDENT that it is as much a part of life as everything else. So GET OUT THERE!!! Hope this helps!

Sincerely,
Jennifer

http://www.jenniferjames-beauty.com
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