Embarrasing (sort of?) problem. My taklon kabuki, some of my face brushes, and some of my blush brushes start to smell off a few days after washing, sometimes even 1-2 days. I use either baby shampoo or occasionally antibacterial handsoap to wash them. I did some googling and poking around beauty forums, and the only cause people seem to point to is the brushes drying to slowly. I really don't think this is the problem because I squeeze as much water as humanly possible out after washing, then spread them out in a well ventilated area, and they all dry in less than overnight. Any other ideas?

I wash mine quite often using facial soap - it's not antibacterial, just glycerine soap, or sometimes just regular hand soap. I do use antibacterial during pinkeye outbreaks though. I added a few drops of bleach during a bad pinkeye outbreak a few months ago.

Make sure you're getting all the soap out of the brushes - I wonder if soap residue is making the brushes attract other things (dust or dead skin cells?) that could make them smell not so pleasant.

I try to wash my brushes after I've applied my makeup, very rarely at night. I lather up my hands with soap, and rinse them (my hands) under the running water and allow the sink to fill up, toss the brushes in and let them soak for a few minutes. If I'm using pump soap I squirt two pumps in while the water's running. Then I rub more soap in my hands, and rub each brush in my palm, making sure the soap in my hands ends up clear. Sometimes it'll take an extra pump or two if it's dark shadow.

After I give them a good rinse, I pat my shadow and blush brushes dry with clean paper towels, then lay them on a clean hand towel and let them dry. For my kabukis, I take another hand towel and rub them pretty good - kinda like towel drying your hair - and then let them sit along with the other brushes to air dry. They're always dry the next day.

The only thing other than making sure you rinse them well is try switching the soap you're cleaning them with and see what happens.

yeah, thats the only thing i can think of - that theres probably some soap residue left over.

try using a tiny amount of soap and make sure youre rising them really well.

I use an organic tea tree shampoo (Giovanni). I figure with that I get a good lathering and the antibacterial properties of the tea tree oil. Then rinse very very well. I have also thought about getting that pink brush soap at an art or hobby store. I hear it works well too.

Alright, you must absolutely try out this recipe for brush cleanser. I, too, had a MAJOR problem with brushes smelling right after cleansing. Mine smelled like wet dog, which isn't a very pleasant smell that up close and personal.

This youtuber is amazing! He has a ton of informative videos and this one is the best! I made the recipe and my brushes smell SOOOOOO good after washing them! First time EVER! EnKoreMakeup

Give it a try...you WON'T be diappointed! AND your brushes will thank you!!!
I tried the Mona Lisa pink soap and, while it cleaned the brushes, it didn't make them smell good. This recipe DOES!

Thanks, I knew you girls would be able to help

I do the same as Cin - use my face cleanser and swirl the brushes in my palm until no more color comes out then I rinse and rinse and rinse. It sounds like they're drying quickly enough that I don't think that's your problem - must be your cleanser.

Wow, thanks for that EnKore link. I will be making up a batch of that and cleaning brushes much more often now. I didn't even realize how often it should be done. Do you rinse the brushes after you use the cleanser? He said you don't have to, but I just wondered what you do.

Yes, I do rinse them. Otherwise, all the makeup and suds would dry onto the brushes, I would think.

You'll love it. It makes the brushes smell so good Especially my super soft taklon kabuki, which always smelled of wet dog before using this recipe.

Thanks for the EnKore link, Melissa! I'll be mixing up some of that brush cleaner tomorrow. I'm OBSESSED with EnKore now! I had a bout of insomnia last night, so there I was in my pjs propped up on a couple of pillows watching EnKore at 2AM. He's got some great tips & tricks, esp. the lash curling vid.

I agree, he does have a lot of cool ideas! You're welcome

Enkore's brush cleaner is the BEST I have ever used. Mixed up a batch yesterday...such little effort to get the makeup out of the brushes and they "sparkle"! with a renewed softness to them when dried. I put my cleaner in a misting spray bottle I have. I sprayed the brushes real well with the spray going up into the bristles (from the tip into the base) while the head of the brush is in my palm then do a little swishing. The rubbing alchohol keeps the soaps from getting too sudsy and the brushes rinse clean so quickly. Now my brushes will get washed much more often Kathy

Love the brush cleaner. It was so easy to make and my brushes do smell divine. Plus, I have tons more cleaner to keep washing at least once a week. Thanks, much better than just antibacterial soap like I was doing.

quote:

Originally posted by momof2angels:
Alright, you must absolutely try out this recipe for brush cleanser. I, too, had a MAJOR problem with brushes smelling right after cleansing. Mine smelled like wet dog, which isn't a very pleasant smell that up close and personal.

This youtuber is amazing! He has a ton of informative videos and this one is the best! I made the recipe and my brushes smell SOOOOOO good after washing them! First time EVER! EnKoreMakeup

Give it a try...you WON'T be diappointed! AND your brushes will thank you!!!
I tried the Mona Lisa pink soap and, while it cleaned the brushes, it didn't make them smell good. This recipe DOES!

Yeah... I'm hooked on EnKore too, LOL! Watching him right now...

ooh. Thanks for the tip. The EnKore cleaner sounds great.

I wonder, too, if a vinegar rinse would get out the smell. From experience, I know that vinegar works wonders for stinky laundry.

Off to make me some of that brush cleaner...

I've been washing my brushes with the Whole Foods' store brand (their "365" brand) of shampoo for dry hair. I figure that will be the most moisturizing to keep the bristles soft. Plus, that particular formula is a lavendar herbal scent, which is great at keeping the stink away - it's almost a minty smell. And it's dirt cheap - $3.99 for the huge sized bottle of the stuff. I use that for everything - for my brushes, and also to hand wash any clothing I don't want going into the washer and dryer.

I wash with castile soap, which I get from Target. It comes in almond scent