Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know' - Page 10

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

I have started to do this recently and so far so good.I'm a bit worried that regular shampoo and cond. are too strong though?You know,that in the long run it might damage them?I used a weaker shampoo before and it didn't clean my brushes to the extent that Garnier or L'oreal shampoo did.I think I might try out the MAC brush cleanser and see what all the fuss is about!Hope it doesn't ruin my brushes :confused: .Oh and one more thing..how do you get all the foundation of your 190 or whatever you use?It doesn't matter what I do,there will always be traces of gunk left..is the MAC cleanser the best solution??At the mo' I'm washing my brushes once a week..should I be cleaning my found. brush more often?Help!

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

I was using the MAC brush cleaner as well and I noticed the same as you all. So the last time I cleaned them, I used a small amount of shampoo and they turned out great. I think next time I'm going to buy the baby shampoo/conditioner to see how that works out. I want my brushes to last as long as possible, and not scratch up my face in the process.

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

Seeing as I got no reply the last time I posted,I'm posting again.I really need help with this so any advice would be great!My problem is getting my 190 brush clean.I've tried shampoo,pure alcohol,hand sanitizer,industrial strength handwash and gunk still remains on the inner bristles.The only way I can get it 80% clean is by scraping the gunk off with my nails.This is not a good solution as it takes forever.Please can someone recommend something that will remove every last trace of make-up from my brush.I know I haven't tried the brush cleanser but I tried alcohol which is alot stronger and still no go .Please help!

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

Have you tried peppermint castille? Clarifying shampoo? Dishwashing liquid? i've had to get rubbermask greasepaint out of brushes before (not fun) and sometimes washing with one cleanser, rinsing thouroughly and washing with a different one does the trick (wash with castille, then dish soap).

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

Thanx!But what is peppermint castille?!I'll try the dishwasher stuff next time..hopefully it should help.

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

When I use my fluidline with my 231 brush, which is like daily, I use my Bare Minerals Quick Change Brush Cleaner, spray it on a kleenex & wipe my 231 back & forth til the color is gone & in a minute, it's ready to use again. It's great for quick cleaning. But I definitely use my Mac brush cleaner to get deep cleaning, although I should do it more often then once a month.

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

You can find castilles at natural food stores, with other skin care stuff. It's a type of soap. I mostly use peppermint for my brushes, but it comes in almond and lavender too. As for the dishwashing liquid, it works well, particularly because it's so concentrated, but I won't use it on natural bristles unless in dire circumstances. Synthetic bristles hold up better. It can be very drying.

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

Wups..I already tried it!It didn't work very well..not as well as shampoo.I read in a Laura Mercier book that it's ok to use dish detergent on brushes though so hopefully it's not that harmful.My poor brushes have been through hell though..I've put just about anything and everything on them!
The 190 is real hair isin't it?...oh Lordy..I've actually noticed that it has gotten drier..and I've only washed it once..

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

Relax. Almost every brush I got Rubbermask grease on was natural. It won't kill it, just be gentle. And use VERY LITTLE dishwashing liquid at a time, you can always add more but if you start with too much it just gets messy. Trial and error, my dear. Try two washes, switching what you wash with. Experiment with ratio of water to soap, etc. And although I may be corrected, I think 190 is synthetic.

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

Thanx for all your help pixichik!Sorry if I was a tad annoying with all my questions...MAC has a strange effect on me!I decided to get the brush cleanser today and I have to say it worked really well.My 190 is finally clean!

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

I use Dove shampoo to wash my sponges and brushes and then leave them flat to dry overnight.

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

I use Suave daily clarifying for a long time now to clean my eye brushes every other day and no problems. I just bought the MAC Cleanser to try out (because even though I am happy with a good thing, I always am looking to try something else, thats why I am always broke) lol
I just put the Suave, a tiny dollop, into the palm of my hand and then wet the brush at the bristle's tips and gently agitate in the suds in my palm and then rinse and dry flat.

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

First off Janice I love your avatar. I want to marry Trent Reznor he's so hot and talented!!

Anyways, I do the paper towel and brush cleaner thing for immediate cleaning. However I swish and rinse for a deeper cleaning. I use the stuff full strength for my foundation brush and for my fluidline brushes. This is the only thing that removes that stuff from them. I used to wash them with soap but my brushes were rough especially my face brush and caused the hairs to shed more. The MAC brush cleaner does make your brushes look like new and I don't mind the alcohol in it as alcohol is a dissenfectant. My only gripe is that this stuff does disappear but I am glad that the brush cleaner does qualify for Back 2 MAC!!

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

I use antibacterial hand soap. Squirt some on my palm, add water and swirl the brush. Repeat until no color comes out of the brush. This works fine for me.

I usually clean them every two weeks. Is that ok?

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

I was wondering: Is it any good for your brushes to clean them every otherday/every day with the brush cleanser (swipe them clean on a paper towel which has brush cleanser on it) and then clean them with (baby)shampoo every week/every other week? Or is it better to only use shampoo or only use the brush cleanser?

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

I want to try the isopropyl alcohol mixes w/ lavendar essence oil method...but can anyone tell me where to buy the isopropyl alcohol and how much of each to mix together? TIA

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

You can buy the alcohol at a drugstore. I got mine at walgreens

I'm not sure about the amount though..

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

I put my MAC cleaner in my palm and clean my brushes like that. But, when I use my babyshampoo, I put a small amount of shampoo into a cup, and then swish the brushes around for about a minute. Rinse throughly, then do the shampoo swirl again. Is this ok?

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

I wash my all of my brushes every 2 weeks, but I wash my face powder brush every 3 days as I have sensitive&dry skin so the moisture from my face cream builds up in the brush...bacteria ewww!!
I use regular shampoo and hot water, gently take off as much excess water from the brush then spread the bristle in a fan shape. let it dry naturally, flat on the table but so the bristles hang over the counter.

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

I clean mine every week with baby shampoo but if I've used one with a creme or liquid product then I give it a wipe with a baby wipe inbetween washes. I mainly use powder products though.

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

I use baby shampoo and it works well, plus it makes my brushes smell good.

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

^^ About using baby shampoo: exactly what method do you use to clean your brushes with it? Do you rub them in some of the shampoo, wash in your hand, etc.?

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

I use Japonesque or MAC brush cleaner when I'm working 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 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 solid white sheets of paper towel, 1 clean cotton hand towel (dark color)

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)

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 with warm water and a small amount of Aveda Sap Moss Conditioner (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 water

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 20 minutes to do my entire collection (around 80 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 teens and still in superb condition.

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

It depends on the baby shampoo. I forgot what it was called, but it has to not have a certain ingredient. I wish I could remember what it was, but all I know is that when I heard this, I found out that Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo is one of the safe ones to use.

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

Thank you for this! I have been cleaning my brushes with high-end shampoo that I no longer use, and I was wondering if they needed a bit of conditioner too to keep them from becoming dry and brittle. I will def. add that conditioning step you my routine because I feel that shampooing cleans by brushes more effectively (than the MAC brush cleaner) and with less work.

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

i have a similar brush (it's by prescriptives). i do several shampoo washes until the water rinse runs clears. so, i usually wet the brush a little, add shampoo to my palm and brush the brush back and forth gently. make sure not to mess up the shape of the brush and make sure not to hold it so that water can run down into the ferrules. rinse with water running in the since (i make sure my sink is clean before i do this - i pat my brush on the sink and let it touch the water - make sure water is low, you don't want it high enough to get into the ferrule. i repeat with shampoo in the palm and rinse until the water runs clear. hth!

my sister has only 3 brushes and has never washed them - i did it for her yesterday and there was sooooo much makeup residue. it took several washings to get al lthe gunk out.

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

use cleanse off oil first on your 190. once all the makeup is out, clean it with the brush cleanser [essential cause it cleanses, conditions and disinfects (which shampoos don't do)] until the oil residue is gone. same goes for cleaning lip brushes too.

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

ok ok not to add yet another to the batch BUT.....THIS IS A TIP FROM A PRO MA.....OLIVE SOAP. SWISH YOUR BRUSH, RINSE UNTIL IT'S CLEAN. QUICK SQUEEZE, RESHAPE AND LAY FLAT. VIOLA!

Another Tip TEE HEE...GREEN GEL CLEANSER FROM MAC WASH IT LIKE NORMAL.

The brush fluid cleanser is like a quick fix, you still have to wash your brushly weekly b/c bacteria bluids up.

Re: Cleaning Brushes 101 'Everything you need to know'

the brush cleanser is not a quick fix. it disinfects, which means it kills bacteria. all we use at the counter is brush cleanser, and if it was just a quick fix, then our brushes would be LOADED with germs!

Re: BUMP... (with new questions)

alcohol dries out the hairs, so don't use it to clean your brushes. we clean our brushes with brush cleanser and then spray alcohol on a paper towel and run our brushes through it quickly. we do this after every customer and our brushes last years, so it is not a bad thing to do each time you use them.