I don't know if you guys have heard of this before, but I wanted to share.
You know when you use a brush to apply concealer or cream shadows sometimes it can get really gunky and be a pain to clean? It's nearly impossible to wash it and get it looking like new... Well someone told me to clean my brushes with cornstarch.
You just fill a plastic bag with a couple of teaspoons of the powder, and then place the brush with the bristles inside the bag touching the powder. I usually secure it with my hand but some people use a rubberband to seal the bag around the brush. Shake it vigorously, then take the brush out, tap out the powder and repeat as many times necessary. After this, you can go ahead and wash it with brush cleanser to disinfect it or just use it like that.
This is a really cool trick, it works like magic to get out all of that stubborn greasy residue that some creamy products leave behind (the powder sucks up all of the grease and oil) and leaves the brush feeling fluffy and soft again.

I hope this is useful for you girls! (it works with synthetic as well as natural brushes, just in case you were wondering)

Cool!

So far I haven't had any problem using baby shampoo or a makeup remover / face cleanser in one -- both are designed to remove oil from hair/skin anyway But I wonder if the cornstarch would be more gentle on the brushes so they'd last longer...?

That's a really cool idea! I've been using shampoo for dry hair (I figured if it's moisturing, it'll help keep the bristles soft), but I can't help thinking every time they get wet, that has to weaken the glue on them. The cornstarch may be a good solution.

Great idea! I had been using olive oil to clean the brushes I use to apply oil-based products (cream concealer, creme eyeshadows, etc.), but sometimes it is hard to wash all of it out afterwards. I will give the cornstarch a try. Thanks for sharing your technique!

Both the cornstarch and oil sound like great ways to remove makeup.

I'd heard of using baby shampoo, as someone had recommended it to me to use as makeup remover from your eyes, too.

For everything "creamy", I only use Taklon brushes that I can pick-up at the drugstore. They're cheap and get the job done. If I happen to get a little rough with these brushes, I can pick-up a new set. Before I use them, I take a pair of pliers and give the ferule a good crimp (for good measure-to keep the bristles from ever coming out and to help keep moisture out as well).

To clean them, I have a glass votive holder filled halfway with a good rubbing alcohol. Swish the brush a few times and blot and wipe on an old washcloth.
Works amazingly well.
Since Taklon is synthetic, you don't have to worry about the bristles drying out.

As an aside, I "butcher" a lot of my brushes. You would be surprised what you can do to a brush with a pair of scissors, a razor blade and a pair of pliers!
When I get time, I will definately post a picture.

quote:

Originally posted by ainos2:
For everything "creamy", I only use Taklon brushes that I can pick-up at the drugstore. They're cheap and get the job done. If I happen to get a little rough with these brushes, I can pick-up a new set. Before I use them, I take a pair of pliers and give the ferule a good crimp (for good measure-to keep the bristles from ever coming out and to help keep moisture out as well).

This is a totally brilliant plan! First of all if you don't mind my asking, what drugstore (a chain I can find here?) and what brand of the cheap brushes do you get? And crimping the ferule is an excellent idea!

quote:

Originally posted by LisaF1163:
This is a totally brilliant plan! First of all if you don't mind my asking, what drugstore (a chain I can find here?) and what brand of the cheap brushes do you get? And crimping the ferule is an excellent idea!

EcoTool Brushes with the bamboo handles. I got mine at CVS. (My daughter says they're available at Target as well.)

I use the EcoTool brushes for all my glitter and creamy applications- except for the AL Primer. For that I use an even cheaper brush I picked up at K-Mart. It has stiff nylon bristles which makes picking up the product easier. I can just make out the word "Posh" on the handle of that one.

Yaay, thanks! That's where I'm headed next when I need some spares!

The only brushes I got rid of because I just couldn't stand them anymore were my Bare Escentuals brushes (the kabuki, the blush brush, and the all over face brush - all replaced with lovely AL taklon and Fiberoptic brushes now). I've never felt such rough bristles in my life, and for makeup brushes! There was some brush review over at Makeup Alley, and one person said that the BE brushes felt like "a whisk broom being dragged across your face"! (It's funny 'cos it's true!)

quote:

Originally posted by ainos2:

quote:

Originally posted by LisaF1163:
This is a totally brilliant plan! First of all if you don't mind my asking, what drugstore (a chain I can find here?) and what brand of the cheap brushes do you get? And crimping the ferule is an excellent idea!

EcoTool Brushes with the bamboo handles. I got mine at CVS. (My daughter says they're available at Target as well.)

I use the EcoTool brushes for all my glitter and creamy applications- except for the AL Primer. For that I use an even cheaper brush I picked up at K-Mart. It has stiff nylon bristles which makes picking up the product easier. I can just make out the word "Posh" on the handle of that one.

I especially love the EcoTools crease/blender brush. I love how soft they are.