BellaSugar

How-To: Dry-Clean Your Makeup Brushes

BellaSugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 09:00:41 PST

I've taught you how to create your own makeup brush cleaning solvent in the past and I've even suggested a few of my favorite gentle professional brush cleansers. But after speaking with someone from pro brush-making company Hakuhodo, I learned a little something I'd like to share with you. Did you know that the best way to remove oily liquid foundation or waxy lipstick from your makeup brushes is by using dry corn starch? Here's what you'll need and what to do:

Fill a plastic bag with corn starch (make sure it's the sugar and preservative-free kind).
Drop the brush inside (hair down) and hold the mouth of the bag closed.
Shake for one minute and then remove the brush. Dust off the corn starch and repeat two more times until all of the greasy residue is gone.

Source, Source and Source

Handy Dandy Sephora Makeup Brush Cleansing Wipes

BellaSugar — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:42:59 PST

I have one girlfriend who loves to play beauty school. On New Years Eve we were primping and she is very specific about her makeup brushes; this girl knows what brushes to use for what function, but she is also very good about brush maintenance. So good, she whipped out these Sephora Makeup Brush Cleansing Wipes, $9 for a pack of 20, and kept her brushes clean and organized right then and there.

January is a good time to wipe the slate clean and do a thorough makeup brush cleansing. So, if you're on-the-go I'd invest in these wipes, and this weekend set aside some time to do this do-it-yourself brush cleaning method and make sure you are using a professional brush cleaner.

Makeup Brushes, Part III: Professional Brush Cleaners

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 15:28:00 PDT

Welcome to Part III of FabSugar's detailed look at make-up brushes: professional make-up brush cleaners. Now that you understand the importance of cleaning your grimy make-up brushes, here are my top picks for make-up brush cleaning solvents for those of you who don't like the do-it-yourself method.

Trish McEvoy Makeup Brush Cleaner is my personal fave. It's a quick and easy spray bottle that you can directly spray onto your lush brushes. Buy the 4-ounce bottle here for $18.

Clinique Make-Up Brush Cleanser thoroughly cleans build-up from the brush. Just pump one short spritz onto each side of the makeup brush and use a tissue to wipe away grime. Allow approximately two minutes to dry before use. Buy it here for $12.50

To see the rest,

read more Laura Mercier Brush Cleaner kills unwanted bacteria without drying or damaging the bristles on your precious brushes. Use the cap of the bottle for dipping and gently dip the brush into the cleanser. The formula will evaporate without leaving a filmy residue. Buy it here for $18. M·A·C Brush Cleanser is unique because it not only disinfects your brushes but is also especially designed to extend the life of your high-quality tools. It has a great, fresh scent and it dries quickly. Buy it here for $9.

Makeup Brushes, Part II: Do-It-Yourself Brush Cleaning

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 10:37:41 PDT

Welcome to Part II of BellaSugar's detailed look at make-up brushes. Today's installment: do-it-yourself brush cleaning. (To read yesterday's installment on powder brushes, click here.) If you're making an investment in high-quality tools, then it's important that you know the correct way to maintain them. Though people don't often think to wash their make-up brushes, it's very important that you keep them clean, because they harbor lots of dirt and bacteria, which can cause breakouts and make your make-up go on clumpy. Washing brushes will also make them last longer.

Ideally, you should wash any brush that you use for liquid make-up (including concealer, foundation, lip products, cream shadows, and so on) every day. For brushes used with powder, clean them every two weeks. For tips on how to properly clean your brushes,

Gently run your make-up brushes under lukewarm water. Swish them around in the sink until the water runs clear. Hold the brush under the water with the handle pointing up so that you don't irreparably damage the brush.
Add a small amount of mild shampoo or soap to the palm of your hard and swish your brush around in your hand and then under the water. Keep in mind that natural bristle brushes need gentler soaps.
Rinse your hand and the brush thoroughly, then wring out the water from the brush's tip. To retain the shape of the brush hair, gently squeeze to remove all traces of soap and water and place them so they can dry flat on a clean dry towel.

Keep in mind that sharing makeup brushes is not advisable because it may lead to infection.

Face Brush Faceoff: Which Is Best For You?

Annie Tomlin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 04:05:31 PST

Those who are seriously into skin care know all about face brushes (or face robots, as we like to call them). These electronic gizmos promise to remove more dirt, gently exfoliate, and pave the path to better skin. Which one will suit you best? We've tested three, so read on for our rundown.

The Essential List: 9 Affordable Investment Pieces

OnSugar Blog — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 03:15:15 PDT

Do you have all of your Fall basics covered? If not, OnSugar blogger Beauty and the Budget has you covered with her top nine Fall essentials list. the best part? Everything is under $100.

Investment pieces are called investment pieces for a reason - they might be pricey, but you'll wear them over and over again! Of course, you don't have to shell out more than $100 on an investment piece if you shop in the right places. Luckily for you, I've got a list of nine fab investment pieces all for under $100!

Your Fall Investment Shopping List:

A chic blazer is always a good buy! I especially love this T by Alexander Wang Cutout cotton-jersey blazer ($180.00$72.00) because it has a unique cutout detail in the back that will always make it look fresh and unique!
A holiday party dress will be in order once those Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities begin. I specifically love this Mikael Aghal Lamé bubble dress ($325.00$81.25) for its festive coloring and shiny detailing.
A sweater will keep you warm and toasty during those cooler days. You'll want a good sweat to last you year after year, and this J.Crew Fisherman cable-knit sweater ($98.00) is so basic no one will notice you've had it forever!

See the rest of her must haves here!