Which brushes? And how to clean them? Help!!

[JennyWren]

I'm gradually building up a collection of brushes for my fledgling make-up kit. I've been totally converted to mineral make-up and I have a hugely expensive Bobbi Brown brush, which is lovely. I also have a BB concealer brush, also hugely expensive - can you see where this is going?

I am now on the lookout for an eyeshadow brush - but can I avoid paying £23 for a (probably lovely) BB brush? I bought a very cheap one from the supermarket, but it hardly seems to transfer any product - even when I can see it on the brush it doesn't seem to appear on my eyelids, IYSWIM. I know I'm short-sighted, but even so!

Can anyone recommend a brand which is good without breaking the bank? If £23 is what it takes, then I'll save up and swallow the cost, but can I get as good a product with less outlay?

And if anyone can advise me on how best to clean my brushes... I assume that I can't just take them in the shower with me

Thank you from a clueless mumsnetter!

I have a mixture of mac, bobbi brown and body shop brushes. Body shop do an eye shadow brush that I think is about a tenner and very nice. I clean mine in warm water with a little washing up liquid and leave them flat to dry. Enjoy!

I have just bought a different brush set from this brand and they're really lovely.

www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Techniques-RLT-1406-Starter-Kit/dp/B004TSFE28/ref=pd_bxgy_beauty_text_z

www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Techniques-RLT-1406-Starter-Kit/dp/B004TSFE28/ref=pd_bxgy_beauty_text_z

Body Shop ones are nice. Not cheap, but much cheaper than BB.

Wash them in a little mild shampoo or something. Squeeze out the excess on a tea towel and leave to dry.

I wash mine with shampoo!! Not sure if that's right!

this

was recommended by another mumsnetter for cleaning brushes and its fab. removes foundation, powder and dries within minutes. its fab.

have you tried body shop brushes for cheap but decent?

Mild shampoo, or Mac do a brush cleaner. Lie flat to dry, as per PPs

Body shop often has offers on so you should not have to pay full price for their brushes.

A couple of years ago I bought a travel kit of Smashbox brushes (the handles are shorter). I love, love, LOVE them and it cost much less than buying the full-size brushes individually. I wash them with a mild facial cleanser (Cetaphil) and leave them on a towel to dry for 24 hrs.

I have Bobbi Brown brushes and love them - some of them are more than 15 years old and still as good as new. However I've recently bought some EcoTools and Real Technique brushes and have been really impressed with both. I bought them from iherb.com.

To clean them I use MAC brush cleaning spray, but I've found this recipe for homemade cleaner that I'm keen to try when I run out.

skip to about 1:30 to get to the start of the recipe.

Recipe:
1 cup distilled water
1/4 cup alcohol
1/2 tablespoon dishwashing liquid
1/2 tablespoon mild (e.g. baby) shampoo
1 tablespoon leave-on conditioner

Mix together, pour into spray bottle. To use, either spray directly on brush bristles then wipe brush on tissue or paper towel. Or spray onto tissue/paper towel and rub brush.

It's also a good idea to give them a proper wash with baby shampoo every so often; just clean the bristles and don't let the water get into the metal part or you might damage the glue.

I mostly use Real Technique brushes. Sigma are good too and quite inexpensive. I use Johnson's baby shampoo. If I'm feeling lazy or in a hurry, I sometimes take them into the bath with me to wash them. I'm sure some people will think that's minging, but whatever.

I wouldn't " take them in the shower". I wash mine with a gentle shampoo or scent free liqud soap and rinse for ages- in a wash basin.

You need to gently squeeze out as much water as you can then lie them flat or stand upright to dry.

I have 2 BB brushes and love them. Having said that the £23 eye shadow brush is maybe not worth the money- it's an angled contour brush which they recommended as a good all over brush- but I find it a bit small and wish I'd gone for a different style.

They are much better than Body Shop- had those too- but you might get something a bit cheaper such as Japonique (J Lewis website) or people hree mention Crown- though I find it hard to buy over the web because I like to see the size of a brush and feel it first!

I have a mix of mac/bobbybrown/Shu umera brushes. Have recently discovered Real Techniques and would agree that they are a fantastic at a fraction of the price of the others. I wash mine in Garnier Pure Active facewash for its anti bacterial properties (much too harsh for my skin). It's brilliant for getting brushes really clean and doesn't do them any harm.

This brush cleaner is fab!

Another vote for Real Techniques. I got mine from Boots but they are online too.

Thank you all so much. I'm going to try the Real Techniques brush - I've got some Boots points to use, so that is perfect. And I'll invest in some brush cleaner, too.

Yay!! Good choice. I have the core ones and recommend them big time. They are by Sam chapman who is Pixiwoo on you tube.

She also has a website
realtechniques.com/videos/blog#the-brushes
Which will show you the different brushes and way to use them.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=NmE3zwFE2ak&feature=fvwrel#/watch?v=NmE3zwFE2ak&feature=fvwrel