Keeps your brushes in great shape! (MAC Brush Cleanser)

Member Name: mu_reviews4u

Product:	MAC Brush Cleanser
Date:	31/01/09 (175 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cleans and sanitizes well, Easy to use.

Disadvantages: Can be drying if used too often.

Wether you are planning on having a full collection of makeup brushes or only a few, a good cleanser is an essential. Looked after and cleaned correctly many good quality brushes can last years and years and since most of my brushes are made by MAC Cosmetics, naturally I choose their Brush Cleanser too.

MAC's Brush Cleanser cleans and sanitizes at the same time and retails at just under £7.50 per 235ml. You only need a tiny amount for each brush so it's great value too. It is packaged in a tall, clear plastic bottle with a black lid that pops open to release a small amount of the fluid inside. The liquid itself is pale pink in colour and has a feint alcohol scent (almost like a very diluted nail polish remover), but nothing unbearable in the slightest.
If you plan to spot clean with this product, I (and MAC themselves - If you can find an SA who isn't overly concerned about their sales goals) recommend transferring half of the bottle into another container and topping both up with distilled water to dilute, as the alcohol is strong and can be too drying when used alone on the brushes. There is no need to do so if you plan to use in conjunction with something else, however.


To use:

~ Firstly, new brushes should be washed with water before use to remove any shipping preservatives and eliminate any loose fibres. Also, if you've ever stood around a MAC Store long enough, I'm sure you will notice random customers picking up brushes and stroking them across their hand / cheeks, which is fair enough but more reason to wash them before use :-)

~ If you are a makeup artist, share your brushes or simply apply dark or bright colours that you don't plan on using next time it is important to spot clean your brushes after every use.
To spot clean I take my diluted solution, a stack of cotton wool pads and my dirty brushes. Squirt a small amount onto a pile of 2 or 3 pads and gently wipe the brush over the top a few times, (be careful not to let the cleanser soak into the bristles for too long as this can seep into the handle and dislodge the glue). Once the majority of the product is out, simply remove the first pad to reveal a clean one and repeat until all the bristles are clean. Then, just wipe off any excess cleanser on a clean towel and leave to dry :-)
This cleanser dries quickly, so brushes should be okay to use again in about 20 minutes.

~ I deep cleanse my brushes weekly to remove all traces of makeup and cleanser buildup. I use a very mild baby shampoo in tepid water and lather gently into the bristles until it runs clear. Next I rinse in a clean bowl of cool water / brush cleanser mix before shaping the brush into it's working shape, laying it flat and allowing to dry naturally. Some of the fuller face brushes take hours to dry after a proper wash, so keep that in mind if you need to use them again soon :-)


Overall, I recommend this cleanser. It can be used in different ways, cleans and sanitizes effectively, lasts ages and is quick drying. Once the bottle is empty, you can return it to MAC - along with five other empties - and exchange it for a lipstick too :-)

Summary: Definately try it out!