Confession – I had no idea what I was going to blog for today. I’ve got a crap-load of stuff to get through but I didn’t feel like really talking about makeup which regulars might notice is how I usually kick off the week. We all need something pretty to start the week with right? 🙂 But I’m wallowing in a rut so I was going to take the day off, when the weekend brought a fortuitous blog post idea – Brush Cleaning Tools!
Huh? I can almost hear some of you think. Do you need tools for cleaning your makeup brushes? Isn’t it just soap and water? Well, the trend sort of started out with Sigma who came up with their Spa Brush Glove – basically a silicone glove with raised dots, that was supposed to help you speed up the cleaning process of your brushes. It also cost US$35 (RM115) *choke*
I wasn’t going to spend that sort of money on what was basically a non-slip silicone oven glove (which you can get from any kitchen shop at less than Sigma’s price if you really want a glove for washing your brushes) but I was curious as to how it worked. So one day while at that paradise of all things cheap, cute and tacky i.e. Daiso I picked up something I thought would do the trick.
When I posted about it on Instagram, @Jeninec commented that I could find a dupe of the Brush Egg (another popular brush cleaning tool, it seems!) at Daiso too! So off I went again to Daiso to pick it up and here we are! Let’s talk brush cleaning tools, how it works and why you can easily save on them rather than splurging 😀
The science behind makeup brush cleaning tools
Well ok that sounded serious, but it isn’t really. The real science behind makeup brush cleaning tools like the Sigma Spa Brush Glove or the Brush Egg or any other tool out there is similar to that of a laundry washboard. Those of you who have never seen one thanks to having washing machines at home may not quite get it, but essentially, it’s a board with raised lines that allows you to scrub dirty clothes against it. What this does is agitate and loosen the dirt from clothes more quickly than scrubbing them by hand.
Transfer that simple technology to makeup brushes and you have the idea. I used to wash my dirty makeup brushes by wetting them in a solution with brush cleaner or by just using soap and then swirling the brush against my palm. This helps get the dirt out but it can be a slow process especially when dealing with very dense brushes or in my case, very dirty brushes.
When you brush your dirty brushes against a rough surface, the dirt is dislodged more quickly and you get the brushes clean faster and using less cleaner as well. If you see my white Hakuhodo brush above, it was stained pink before (it’s a blush brush) and I got it white in just under a minute after brushing it against the waffle print of the pot holder. So in gist, here’s how to use one of these products:-
- Wet brush in cleaning solution or soap
- Brush against rough surface of any Daiso dupe of your choice
- Rinse and dry
Of the popular makeup Youtube gurus, I noticed that Wayne Goss was less than impressed with the Sigma Brush Glove, while Lisa Eldridge liked it because it also keeps your hands dry. But note also that unless you are a makeup artist, most of us will rarely have to wash 40-50 brushes at one go so save your money and get one of these items from Daiso 😀
SAVE: Daiso Silicone Non-Slip Pot Holder RM5 (SPLURGE: Sigma Spa Brush Glove RM115)
Daiso has a fairly large range of these silicone pot holders or non-slip mats which you can easily find in the kitchenware section because that’s what it’s meant to be for – the kitchen. But if you just think out of the box for a bit, I noticed how the raised waffle pattern in the one I chose, or in the cases of some other pieces, raised dots, could also serve as a rough surface against which to wash brushes.
Yep, it works a treat!
The raised waffle print worked really well for larger brushes – blush and powder brushes – because there is a larger surface to work with. It surprised me just how quickly I got my brushes clean so that made me happier, and maybe would make me a little more diligent in washing my makeup brushes 😛
Smaller brushes like eyeshadow brushes or eyeliner brushes are harder to use with this pot holder, because the gaps between the lines are quite big. To get around this, I just brush them over a wider area. Problem solved. In the picture, I’ve placed the pot holder in the sink because I only have 2 hands and one needed to hold the camera. But when I use it, I hold the pot holder in my other hand so if you cup it a little, it helps create a little more friction.
This isn’t a true dupe for the Sigma Spa Brush Glove, more of a very cheap alternative that works in the same manner. For a true dupe, go to any kitchenware store and look for a silicone oven glove. They usually have raised dots and lines on the surface for a non-slip grip and that is a true dupe. But hey, you don’t sniff at a RM5 alternative right? 😀 If you look at my Instagram feed, I’ve got a couple more alternatives I spotted.
Where to find this: Kitchenware department in Daiso stores – lots of similar items available in different designs
SAVE: Daiso Egg Laundry Board RM5 (SPLURGE: Brush Egg RM26) EXACT DUPE!
The Brush Egg is something I noticed on Instagram but I’d never really read any review on it. When I did my research however, I noticed that there are quite a lot of reviews out there, mostly positive. Rightly so, I guess because it isn’t expensive, coming in at just US$8 (RM26) (without shipping). But how about getting an exact dupe for RM5?!
Thanks to Instagram friend @Jeninec who told me about the Daiso dupe, I went off to Daiso and picked up the Daiso Egg Laundry Board. Daiso intended for this mini washboard to be used to scrub your dirty clothes – collars, cuffs etc but it is basically, the same item that is also marketed as the Brush Egg! The picture above should convince you.
It isn’t very big, as you can see, and there is a hole where you can insert your fingers, just like the Brush Egg. Or you could also just hold the domed part. I prefer just holding it. Sticking fingers in it is weird! 😛
The mini Laundry Board has a lined area which you can use for larger brushes and a smaller area with raised dots that you can use for smaller brushes. Personally, I found it too small and fiddly for use with blush and powder brushes so I prefer using something larger, like the pot holder. This size however is useful for eye and lip brushes because the gaps between the lines and dots are smaller so it’s easier to get smaller brushes clean.
Daiso mini Laundry Board does double duty as a Brush Egg dupe!
Do note that the hole doesn’t have a drainer so be sure to shake out all the water before allowing it to dry properly or it might get icky inside the holder. Another reason I’d rather just hold the domed bit 😛
Where to find this: Laundry department in Daiso – comes in various colours
Do you use a similar tool when washing your makeup brushes? Do you own either the original Sigma glove or Brush Egg?
So there you have it! My little experience with makeup brush cleaning tools, which I never needed before but now that I’ve used them, can see why they are very useful. You do end up using less cleaner and it does speed up the process of brush cleaning. Also, dense brushes come clean very much quicker so I don’t have a headache (nor wrinkly hands) anymore when washing my Hakuhodo or Shiseido or similar foundation brushes 😀 So, who’s headed to Daiso now and how much are things in Daiso where you are? 😉
Paris B
Things at Daiso in Malaysia are priced at RM5 each and I realise the prices are different in different countries but if you have a Daiso in your area, you’d know the local price which would be very affordable and much more so than the Splurge items listed
Cool!! I’m all for finding inexpensive dupes, RM115 is seriously too much money for essentially a silicone pad 😛 Nice work finding the dupe!
The mini laundry board is so cute! I might just get it for either its actual purpose or for my brushes!
I was told the laundry board works well for its intended purpose too! So it can do double duty 😀 I liked the idea of the brush glove but just felt a bit duped paying those prices. At least we have options! 🙂
I got the Sigma glove, i dont regret my purchase as it really make me able to clean my brushes faster. I got some dense brush(shiseido foundation brush, F82, RT Expert face) and i find that without the glove, i would have harder time cleaning those brushes. After all, RM115 for just one time buy 🙂 This is a cheaper dupe, but it dont have the bumps and dots that the sigma glove have.
This glove is technically same price of one brush 😀
Ooh you own the Sigma glove! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it. Don’t deny that it is a smart idea and hey, if it works, it works! 😉
I love this blog! You gave cheaper alternatives and I bet we can find those alternatives much easier than the expensive version 😀
Haha yay for blogging and for other readers who help share ideas! 😀
cute! but i suppose i won’t fancy the egg thing, i just can’t bear the thoughts of sticking my finger into the egg and hold it, when all the molds and bacteria are breeding inside >< the thought is enough to kill me. now, let me go dig out for my waffle mat!
LOL! It was so weird to stick my fingers in, I ended up just holding it and it’s fine. I can imagine if you don’t dry it properly, it’ll get gunky inside. Yuck! At least if it’s just RM5 I won’t feel so bad tossing it.
Great cheapo alternatives. Now I have another excuse to go to Daiso.
As if you ever needed another excuse, Ling! 😉
The egg one reminds me of my face washing scrublet, though it’s probably stiffer. You know, the ones like this http://www.sephora.com/images/sku/s1233691-main-hero.jpg
Ooh yes, LOreal had one too that came with their cleanser. Those won’t work as well because the raised bits are a bit too dense, but hey, no harm giving it a go and see if it works 😉
LOL I use a silicon pot-holder from Daiso for my brushes! It’s got a magnet on it so it sticks to my microwave when it isn’t cleaning my brushes.
Win and win! 😀
Well I don’t have that many brushes to wash all at once. Probably a total of 10? Unless i wash all the brushes I own at the same time then my hands will suffer. That’s why I don’t feel the need to have extra tools. I wash my brushes weekly but if I used some really dark colours, then I’d wash them immediately. Of course, I can use all my clean brushes and not wash them until I don’t have a single clean brush to use, but that’s just asking for it, isn’t it? Lol!
I think marketing made brush washing more tedious than it really is. How taxing can it be unless you’re a professional makeup artist who have hundreds of dirty makeup brushes every day?
Yeah, I tend to be really lazy and not wash my brushes as often as I should so I sometimes do end up with quite a few. But the problem ones are usually the foundation brushes because the dense ones can really get really gunky. I found using something to brush them against helped dislodge the dirt more easily and get it clean more quickly. For eye brushes, there was little difference but it was fun anyway 😀
Ya, balked at the Sigma glove. I also use a Daiso dupe – the animal shaped silicone oven mitts, which were nowhere to be found for awhile, but snapped one up as soon as I found one. Last I checked, they should be available in most outlets.
Totally missed the tiny Laundry Board/Brush Egg thing, haha. Just as well because misplacing it (because it’s so small) would be a total pain…
LOL It’s bulky enough that you won’t misplace it but personally, I’d just do the pot holder or the oven mitts that you have just described. I shall have to take a look and see if I spot them the next time I’m at Daiso!
Thanks for sharing! I’ll definitely got these and try on my brushes~
Would love to know if they work for you! If it doesn’t, you’re just out by RM5 and you gain a pot holder LOL
Ish cute nyerr ni! I’m going to check out my Daiso for these! What a genius idea using a pot holder to wash brushes. Who would have thunk 😀
Haha right?!?! It was the bumpy surface that gave it away and once you see that, you see it in a lot of products that are easily available at Daiso! Time to go scour Daiso for cheap treats!
Actually since I am super lazy with washing brushes, I gather all and wash like some 30 or so brushes at once and it could be a time consuming affair.
I use the cheapo plastic hair comb that you can buy in any old-style sundry shop (pic here : http://www.dhresource.com/albu_245991262_00-1.0×0/dog-hair-brush-pet-grooming-massage-mitt.jpg) that boys used to carry them to comb their hair during primary school (it’s “dog hair brush” here but we all have seen boys using it to comb hair right??) they’re less than RM 2. It dislodges dirt and speeds up the cleansing of the very dense and DIRTY foundation brushes by at least 10 times! This brush + Daiso brush/sponge cleanser = quick & easy!!
Join the lazy to wash brushes club LOL! I postpone it as long as I can so I do often have quite a few to get through too. Thanks for sharing the gadget you use. I remember those LOL! And I can imagine it will work a treat especially for foundation brushes! That was what I found most useful having a gadget for. Got the dirt out super fast 😀
If you say it can turn your Hakuhodo blush brush from pink to white, I must try the Daiso Silicone Non-Slip Pot Holder. LOL. A normal wash and rinse with baby shampoo still leaves this blush brush pink. Was just at Daiso yesterday and the funny thing is before I saw your Instagram, I bumped into Fiona of Street Love looking for the exact same thing. Hahaha. You beauty bloggers must be telepathic 🙂
Haha I usually use Dove soap or recently, I was experimenting with some liquid soap as well. It does seem to get the dirt and colour out better so it got it whiter more quickly than when I just rub it on my palm. Do try it and let me know how you like it! And how serendipitious to bump into Fiona at Daiso! 😀
Haha… I didn’t know abt the existence of the egg brush, much less that the Daiso egg was a dupe for a brush cleaning tool! Like you, I’ve been using it to wash my eye and lip brushes and find it works very well. That it’s small and handy is a plus point. If I had known abt the Daiso egg before the Sigma glove, I would not have gotten the latter at all. The Sigma glove is one beauty-related product that I deeply regret splurging. I absolutely hate it. I shall go Daiso one day and look for silicone pot holders for washing my face brushes. 😉
Actually I came across the Brush Egg on Instagram! Saw it in someone’s account but never made the connection with Daiso till it was jointed out to me haha 😀 Good to know it works for you too Hannah! Ooh so you own the Sigma glove too! Why do you hate it if I may ask? Other than the fact that it’s pretty expensive and looks quite bulky to me. Someone else mentioned that Daiso has silicone oven mitts too so that’s something else to look at
Woohooo!! Cheap and functional is what i’m after! :p Anyway, these days you can easily get silicon pads (about same size as Sigma) for putting hot food on the table. Although no as cheap as RM 5, but definitely a quarter of that Sigma price! 😛
My sil gave me a little silicon brush cleaning pad from Germany. It has a suction on one end so I have to hold it between my fingers. I do find it’s easier to clean using it than just using my palm. 🙂
Yep! It’s silicone everything for the kitchen these days LOL! But I’m still a little wary about using it for hot stuff because I’m so scared it’ll melt! I mean I know it probably wouldn’t but still, it’d be a mess if it did 😛 So I still use a cork board as a base for hot food and cloth pot holders LOL! Old fashioned right? And a brush cleaning pad! Gosh, people think of everything don’t they?
Yay for Daiso! I also cannot bring myself to spend so much on brush cleaning products (mild shampoo and my palm works as well), and yes, they’re basically textured silicone sheets. We’re not cheapskates, we’re being smart consumers 😉
I like that – smart consumers 😀 Yes, we are indeed! I don’t even use baby shampoo because even that’s pricey (Gosh, I never realised how expensive they have gotten!) so now I use a Dove soap bar. Still cheap and very effective 😉
Wow…!! I’m heading for Daiso as soon as possible. I have the Sigma brush glove and really like using it when I have heaps of brushes to clean. But the brush egg would be so neat to use when I just want to clean a couple of brushes. Thanks for posting.
Good point, or a pot holder maybe? 🙂 I can imagine the brush glove would be useful when washing a lot of brushes because it’s really uncomfortable having wet and wrinkly hands. I know how that feels!
This is so clever… Thx Miss P n Daiso too…hihihi
You’re most welcome Shija! Thanks to Daiso for bringing in things we never thought we needed till we did! 😉
Ingenius! Now I have no more excuses to skip on brush cleaning. :p
Haha nope, no more excuses Aisyah. Get thee to a Daiso!
Hey Paris, thanks for sharing! I was given some pot holders like that (and I haven’t even used them yet), so I’ll be giving them a go! Gotta hunt that brush egg down when I’m back n Taipei though. It looks so handy!
Most welcome Sunny and yes, next time you’re in Taipei, hit up Daiso. Loads and loads of stuff to get ideas from 😀