How do I get rid of the smell from my makeup brushes? (light, cleanser)

[negativenancy]

I have a rather large set of makeup brushes ranging in brands from Merle Norman, Physicians Formula, E.L.F., and Wet n' Wild. They were getting rather cake-y so I decided to wash them today using a makeup brush cleaner that I have used in the past. Everything was going great until I finished washing them and noticed a horrible smell coming from the brushes (gross!), almost like a wet dog smell mixed with gasoline or car fumes The cheaper brushes smell the worst, whereas my Merle Norman only slightly smells like wet dog.

My question... why do my brushes smell and how can I get rid of the smell? I've tried cleaners made specifically for makeup brushes and while they've cleaned the makeup away, the smell still remains. I would hate to have to throw away my brushes.

[jade408]

Are they dry yet? Mose brushes are made of some sort of animal hair, so they smell a little weird when wet, but once they are dry it is all back to normal.

[=Lavender=]

the brushes you mentioned are very cheap and synthetic not real hair, and i would chuck them and buy new ones better yet INVEST in natural hair brushes pros buy a lot of thair brushes in art stores.also MAC makes some of the best. and again those can all be bought for less at a art store


btw you should be washing you brushes more often at least once a week if you are a MKUPArtist you do it daily

[FromEverywhere]

It sounds like you're not washing your brushes often enough. You shouldn't wait until they get cakey. Brushes get dirty and carry bacteria, you don't want to keep putting that on your face.

[Dollydo]

I'd toss them and start all over.

[SXMGirl]

I use Philosophy's Purity to was my brushes.

[negativenancy]

Yep, the brushes are finally dry and still smell bad, bad, bad So do you think it's normal for brushes to smell? Do name-brand brushes smell when washed?

I try to wash my brushes every 2 weeks since I rotate between using them (although I agree I will start washing them at least every week).

I figured the Wet n' Wild and Physicians Formula brushes weren't real hair, but any idea if the Merle Norman brushes are the 'good kind'?

Would Sigma brushes be a good alternative to MAC?

[ImCurlybelle]

Depending on how old they are, it maybe time to toss, and buy new ... I'd say at least every 4-6 months you should invest in new ones. Especially since they're touching your face.

[SXMGirl]

MAC brushes are good and I would think Merle Norman brushes would be also, unless they are old. No idea why they have an odor if they are dry. Most of my brushes are by Mally, Bare Minerals, and Dalton. They do not have any odors and I wash them when I remember.

[D217]

I wash my cheapo brushes with a mix of soap and facial cleansers. No smells there.