Sunday 5 January 2014

Trio of favourite brush/sponge cleaners: Shu Uemura, Bobbi Brown & Beauty Blender Solid.

Beauty blender cleanser-solid, Shu Uemura liquid & Bobbi Brown brush cleanser  (wash off).

To start off the new year with best practice and seriously clean brushes/sponges. I actually one of those *tweaks* that  really enjoys cleaning my brushes and if you look after your brushes properly you will keep them for years.

Best cleanser for *quick* cleaning: Shu Uemura 125ml £12.50
  • I have used this brush cleanser for years, it instantly dissolves make up from all brushes (hair and nylon), it dries immediately and I have never, ever seen an irritation occur after using this on any skin (even the most sensitive). It is very effective, quick and within a short period of time it has dried and the brush is hygienic and re-usable.  
  • Pro: I have been a fan for such a long time because, it is so effective, keeps brushes scrupulously clean and in fab condition
  • Cons: I go through a bottle of this in literally no time (I wish there was a HUGE size at a better price) and it does admittedly have that slight *solventy* smell- but that smell disappears pretty much immediately.
How I use: Pour a couple of inches of cleaner into a cup/glass and dip the tip/dirty part of the brush in the liquid, swirl the brush in the liquid, gently squeeze excess liquid off on the side of the glass, when the brush is clean remove and dry thoroughly on clean kitchen towel by moving back and forth. Squeeze brush back into shape.

Best cleanser for use with *water*: Bobbi Brown Conditioning brush cleanser 100 ml £10.50
  • This is literally the best foaming brush was I have tried (better than shampoo or any other foaming cleanser. It cleans both nylon and real hair brushes thoroughly and removes even stubborn pigment, and it has a delicate *minty* smell. I ordered this not expecting too much but I have been very impressed with the performance of this cleanser.
  • Pro: Very concentrated, a little goes a long way, very thorough and rinses well and definitely leaves brushes soft and in excellent condition, I find this superior to a shampoo.
  • Cons: Not really a con but.. the brushes need to be left to air dry for some hours, so this is not a quick fix cleaner
How I use:  I run a sink of clean tepid water, I dip the tip of the brush into the water, apply a small amount of cleanser (foam it up)with fingertips massaging it into the brush (keeping brush downwards) and rinse thoroughly in clean tepid water (keeping brush facing downwards) so that no moisture makes it back into the ferrule of  the brush. I squeeze excess moisture out of the brush using a clean towel (that is used solely for this purpose) and leave to dry upside down in a glass with a brush guard on. *See at the end for a link for brush guards*

Best cleanser for sponges: Beauty blender cleanser solid 28 g £14.00
  • I prefer this solid cleanser for sponges, powder puffs, any kind of sponge blender and plastic implement *eg: brow comb*, it is brilliant for travelling also as there is no spillage possible. It creates a rich and creamy foam that lifts pigment easily from sponges and leaves them very clean without them loosing their shape.
  • Pro: Natural non toxic ingredients: Soy, Lavender & Aloe, it is very effective and brilliant for travelling
  • Cons: Not a con per se but I have found it excellent for:sponges, powder puffs, any kind of sponge blender and plastic implement *eg: brow comb* rather than as my *go to* brush cleaner.
How I use: I wet  the sponge or tool . I then work the solid  cleanser into a lather  (by swirling the sponge across the surface of the cleanser) and spread across the Sponge, I massage the lather into the rinse until clean , squeeze the sponge to remove excess water.

http://www.justbeautydirect.co.uk/department/the_brush_guard/

*Note: These are all my personal recommendations that I genuinely use and have paid for myself*