How Do You Clean Make-up Brushes? (brand, hair, shampoo, lips)

[bibit612]

I apologize if this has been discussed elsewhere in this forum. I've done a search and could not find a thread. I have foundation and concealer brushes that I'm at a loss how to clean. I have a spray bottle of Origins brush cleaner, but it seems that it still leaves the brushes damp and clumped together, so unlike when they were brand new. For my powder and blush brushes with the softer bristles, I wash them in shampoo, blot out the excess water after rinsing thoroughly, slightly blow dry it and then let it dry upright overnight. I just am unsure how to best clean my foundation and concealer brushes. What do you ladies use to clean these?

[GloryB]

I have found mine never work quite right again after getting them wet. Maybe the water messes up the adhesive they use before pressing in the brush hairs. It is better to buy new ones than to end up with those little hairs coming out all the time.

[maciesmom]

I use the little makeup remover towelettes (the same ones I use at night to remove my makeup prior to washing my face. I clean my foundation brush after each use.

[betsi100]

I found some makeup brush cleaning cloths at Sephora that work good. They don't get the brushes very wet and clean well.

[bibit612]

Originally Posted by maciesmom

I use the little makeup remover towelettes (the same ones I use at night to remove my makeup prior to washing my face. I clean my foundation brush after each use.

You know this makes sense. I was so desperate to get the foundation out of it last night that I used my Oil of Olay cleanser to clean them. The Oil of Olay was the only cleanser I found that took off even the heaviest foundation (like Bobbi Brown's) off my face with one application. I thought, well, it's that thing that's on the brushes so if Olay takes it off my face, it should take it off the brushes. They looked better after I did that and blow dried it, but I thought I'd consult with you ladies if you had other cleaners I have not considered. Y'all think astringent might be good or not?

[scorpy01]

I use a very mild, fragrance-free liquid facial cleanser to gently wash my brushes. Never immerse them in water and be very careful to wash only the exposed brush without allowing water to get near the glue that holds the brush in the handle.

And never allow your brushes to dry with the brush part up. You should hang them upside down to dry them. A number of years ago I came up with my only little contraption to air dry my brushes upside down. I used a hanger, rubber bands, a toe separator and butterfly hair clips. Here's a picture of it.



I fasten the clips and toe separator to the hanger with rubber bands then hang the brushes wherever they fit best. That hook is for my bathrobe, right over a heat register so warm air helps to dry them in the winter.

A friend of mine used a hanger designed for belts or ties with rubber bands to hang her brushes. Here's a picture of her setup.



I'm sure if someone ever decides to manufacture something like that, they'd charge about $20 or so. But you can make it with stuff around your house for free.

[moonshadow]

Originally Posted by scorpy01

I use a very mild, fragrance-free liquid facial cleanser to gently wash my brushes. Never immerse them in water and be very careful to wash only the exposed brush without allowing water to get near the glue that holds the brush in the handle.

And never allow your brushes to dry with the brush part up. You should hang them upside down to dry them. A number of years ago I came up with my only little contraption to air dry my brushes upside down. I used a hanger, rubber bands, a toe separator and butterfly hair clips. Here's a picture of it.



I fasten the clips and toe separator to the hanger with rubber bands then hang the brushes wherever they fit best. That hook is for my bathrobe, right over a heat register so warm air helps to dry them in the winter.

A friend of mine used a hanger designed for belts or ties with rubber bands to hang her brushes. Here's a picture of her setup.



I'm sure if someone ever decides to manufacture something like that, they'd charge about $20 or so. But you can make it with stuff around your house for free.

WOW! Those are really impressive! Very inventive scorpy!

I just wash mine in a little Clinique Beauty bar in warm water, same as I use on my face and then rinse them and lay them down to dry on a clean face washer or hand towel. Some of them cope with that and some don't.

[bibit612]

Thanks for the photos scorpy! With the exception of the Sephora brushes, the rest of mine are cheapo Walmart ones so I can destroy those with impunity! When I start investing (one by one) in more expensive ones, I'll remember your advice about not letting water touch them and look for the cleaner before I even use them.

[alicenevada]

I put baby shampoo in my hand, swirl the brush around, and then rinse thoroughly in lukewarm water. Then I lay them flat to dry on a towel.. I use coastal Scents brushes and i havent had any problems w/them not working properly afterwards.

[Flamingo13]

I use real people shampoo. Put some hot water in the bathroom sink and keep swishing and mushing until they are clear - then rinse with hot water and shape a bit and let air dry.