Comments for How to clean and care for your brushes (without having them fall apart)! Average Rating Click here to add your own comments

Jul 18, 2008 Rating Love to Help... by: Chandi Great question! I've been buying brushes directly from the manufacturer for years, so I have a little bit of info to share with you. The reason your brush handles are falling off after washing them, is because the water is soaking into the glue that holds the ferrule (metal part) to the handle. The glue is then loosened, and ultimately, the brush falls apart. You have several options to prevent and/or fix this. When you wash your brush, make sure to only wash the bristles... try to avoid the ferrule and wooden handle altogether. Use minimal water (mostly soap), and lather the bristles well. Work that in with your fingers to really loosen all that makeup and oil that has built up on your brush. Rinse well. Repeat until the brush is clean. NOTE! A very crucial step is to make sure you allow your brush to hang UPSIDE down with the bristles facing DOWNWARD so that the water drains away from the handle and the glue in the ferrule. For good quality brushes, you should be able to lay them on their side as another option. (To hang them upside down, wrap a rubber band around the handle and tie a knot... then dangle it from a nail or hook.) You can also blow dry your brush to ensure that all the water has dissipated. ANOTHER option is to not wet the brush at all, but simply apply a dry cleaner. Try mixing cornmeal with baking soda and rubbing into the bristles. Then shake until clean. Repeat as needed. If you clean your brush about once every two weeks, it won't be as difficult. If you wait several months between washings, you'll have a hard time removing all that gunk. I recommend using a natural soap or shampoo (whatever you use on your hair is fine). For really stunk on makeup, use a dish soap, but rinse REALLY well, as you don't want any to be left on the bristles and then get on your face. If you have sensitive skin, DON'T TRY THIS. This is only for extreme makeup build up. A good quality brush should last at least 2 years. If yours don't, then switch brands. I personally recommend synthetic brushes as they seem to last much longer and feel softer on your skin. X Close Editor Jul 18, 2008 Rating Submitted by: Chandi Title Comment Great question! I've been buying brushes directly from the manufacturer for years, so I have a little bit of info to share with you. The reason your brush handles are falling off after washing them, is because the water is soaking into the glue that holds the ferrule (metal part) to the handle. The glue is then loosened, and ultimately, the brush falls apart. You have several options to prevent and/or fix this. When you wash your brush, make sure to only wash the bristles... try to avoid the ferrule and wooden handle altogether. Use minimal water (mostly soap), and lather the bristles well. Work that in with your fingers to really loosen all that makeup and oil that has built up on your brush. Rinse well. Repeat until the brush is clean. NOTE! A very crucial step is to make sure you allow your brush to hang UPSIDE down with the bristles facing DOWNWARD so that the water drains away from the handle and the glue in the ferrule. For good quality brushes, you should be able to lay them on their side as another option. (To hang them upside down, wrap a rubber band around the handle and tie a knot... then dangle it from a nail or hook.) You can also blow dry your brush to ensure that all the water has dissipated. ANOTHER option is to not wet the brush at all, but simply apply a dry cleaner. Try mixing cornmeal with baking soda and rubbing into the bristles. Then shake until clean. Repeat as needed. If you clean your brush about once every two weeks, it won't be as difficult. If you wait several months between washings, you'll have a hard time removing all that gunk. I recommend using a natural soap or shampoo (whatever you use on your hair is fine). For really stunk on makeup, use a dish soap, but rinse REALLY well, as you don't want any to be left on the bristles and then get on your face. If you have sensitive skin, DON'T TRY THIS. This is only for extreme makeup build up. A good quality brush should last at least 2 years. If yours don't, then switch brands. I personally recommend synthetic brushes as they seem to last much longer and feel softer on your skin. Cancel Delete Delete & Ban Updating Comments page...

Click here to add your own comments Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Do YOU Have a Makeup Question? Return to How to clean and care for your brushes (without having them fall apart)!