Method #1 - Dry Cleaning: Hair Donut and Microfiber Cloth
If you need to quickly clean your eyeshadow brushes in between use, you can quickly sweep your brush against a hair donut (the accessory used for topknots) and microfiber cloths. The hair donut is unconventional but trust me when I say that the spongey material is perfect for gripping and cleaning off eyeshadow from your eye brushes. I use this when I'm doing a major swatch post. The microfiber cloth is a more conventional and multipurpose method that's it's easy to keep clean by tossing it into the laundry when it's dirty. Either one are available inexpensively at Dollar Stores or online.
Method #2 - Spot Cleaning: Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner and Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner
These are waterless brush cleaner that you can use for quick cleaning and disinfecting. Pair it with the microfiber cloth by spraying your brushes and wiping it through the cloth. Wait a few minutes for it to dry and it's ready to use again! Both the Cinema Secrets and Parian Spirit cleaners work well, the difference is primarily in the color and scent. The Cinema Secrets is tinted blue and scented like vanilla whereas the Parian Spirit is clear and scented like citrus. I prefer the Parian Spirit when spot cleaning white and light colored brushes and the Cinema Secrets for darker haired brushes. Both contain alcohol which will sanitize your brushes making it perfect for professional and consumer use.
Method #3 - Deep Cleaning: Enkore Brush Soap and Liquid Hand Soap.
When it comes to deep cleaning (which I tend to do weekly), before I invested in specific brush soaps, I actually used hand soap! It's gentle and effective on makeup brushes and has never lead to brush shedding. I've switched over primarily to the Enkore Brush Soap. It's a solid brush cleanser with a loofah on the underside for deep cleaning. I prefer the Enkore Brush Soap for my eye, lip, and most face brushes. For foundation brushes, I prefer using the liquid hand soap to for better lather and brush manipulation. Enkore sells a few different types of Brush Soaps but you can trust that all are effective for cleaning.
When it comes to brushes, what's your preferred method of cleaning? Do you stay on top of your brush cleaning?
I usually use alcohol for spot cleaning and V05 shampoo for deep cleaning. I'm pretty good at washing my foundation and eye and blush brushes regularly. Powder is another story only because they take so long to dry.
ReplyDeleteLove this post, Mai! I use either Ulta brush cleaner or Burt's Bees Baby Shampoo. I wash my brushes after almost every use. I'm doing a post on Wednesday on a cool drying rack ;)
ReplyDeletegreat post. i need to be better at keeping my brushes clean
ReplyDeleteSuper great post. Love this. I am such a spot cleaner daily and a weekly deep cleaner. I am anal now about brushes. I am totally going to use these tips for sure. Totally agree with you about the Parisian spirits. That stuff rocks! Great post!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. These tips are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI never thought to use a hair donut but it totally makes sense!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing your choices!
ReplyDeleteI try to keep everything neat and clean since my eyes are sensitive on top of various allergies. My general go-to cleaning is a drop of Dr Bronner's soap swirled on a silicone oven mitt. When I'm in a rush I'll spot clean with a cleansing wipe, though I don't like the residue left from doing so. I think I'll check out the Parian Spirit cleaner now. :)
ReplyDeleteI use Ivory soap and water to clean mine after with wiping them on a cotton round first to remove all the loose powder and excess makeup residue. I have used rubbing alcohol too on a cotton round to wipe them and kill germs. I am careful only to wet the bristles and not to get the ferrule wet or immerse the brush in water. I pat them with a clean face cloth to remove excess moisture and then simply let them air dry. I've never used a specific brush cleanser though.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I've always used Dawn dish soap. I need to get some new brushes tho, as my old ones are starting to wear out!
ReplyDeleteI've been using and loving the ELF brush cleanser. Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteI love Koren's soap!
ReplyDeleteI use Parian SPirit, it's my favorite way of cleaning brushes after each use. So easy and quick!
ReplyDeleteI've become a brush-cleaning fanatic. Having oily skin prone to breakouts, it's a must. I was turned on to Dr. Bronners by Nouveau Cheap, and that's my fave. I have a spray I got at CVS for quick cleaning, but I rarely use it. I just got a free sample of the solid Japonesque brush cleaner, but haven't tried it yet. I'm curious about solid cleaners, though!
ReplyDeleteLOL I also am using Doc Bronners and a textured silicone oven mitt!! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder, my brushes need to be cleaned badly!
ReplyDeleteI've washed my brushes hundreds of times and would never have thought of dry brushing. Thanks for sharing these tips!
ReplyDeleteNever thought of the hair donut, I have it and it's just collecting dust. Time to use it for another purpose then, thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteJeez the hair donut is genius!
ReplyDeleteI really like Persian Spirit.. I honestly just use Dawn Soap though.
ReplyDeleteI need to try the dry cleaning method!
ReplyDeleteI love that the mitt keeps my hands dry! I hate winding up with prune fingers from washing a load of brushes, hahaha. Saves my manicure too. :D Totally forgot that elf had cleaners too.
ReplyDeleteThe Enkore brush soaps are the business! You can also use 91%/70% Alcohol for quick spot cleaning. The difference between the two is dry time.
ReplyDeleteI just use baby shampoo probably should step up my game.
ReplyDeleteGreat list. Clean brushes are soooo important!
ReplyDeleteNever in my life would have thought to use the hair doughnut thing. I am definitely trying that out.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great list
ReplyDeleteI usually use a brush shampoo from Sephora, but I forgot mine at my mom's house when I was visiting so this post came at a perfect time. I decided to try using hand soap for one of my foundation brushes and it worked so well. Thanks for these tips!
ReplyDeleteI've heard of the hair donut method! Haven't tried it yet because I use socks for my hair donuts lol
ReplyDelete