Dr. Woods Castile Soap: My Brushes' New Bestfriend

And so I'm back, from outer space

I just walked it and find you here with that sad look upon your face

la la la

 

^_^

 

Okaaaay...I just want to say Hi, my loves sorry for being MIA again. As you all know, I was home in PH for more than a month and now I'm back here in the sandpit again.  It's been a week, and I still feel that I left my heart back in PH.   I've said this before and I'll say it again, nothing feels like being at home than being in Pinas.  Bali-baligtarin man ang mundo, mas gusto ko pa din sa aking bayang sinilangan.  I honestly didn't want to go back, I was crying endlessly after I got inside the plane and I just couldn't stop. I've been missing my family like crazy, most especially my Mom, who has been my buddy since I got home.  I wish I could stay.  But there are certain things that people must sacrifice for the meantime in exchange of something greater.  I just tell myself that in time, I'd be with my family again. Who knows, me and Mr. X might just decide that we'd rather be in Pinas after all?  Hah, that would be the day. For now, lemme focus on things I must do.  It's gonna be hard but I know, despite the distance, my family will always be supportive of me. And of course, Mr. X too.

 

So let's just go back to the usual grind here on my blog, shall we?  And today let me share with you one of my great buys when I was in Manila. This might be available here, but not so sure really.

 



Dr. Woods Castile Soap in Lavander

(Php 250)

 

 

My Mom was at Healthy Options for her monthly shopping spree of her lotions and supplements when I remember about this soap. Actually, I was thinking of Dr. Bronners soap but they don't have it and then I saw this.  I remember reading a review about this in the past saying that it's a good brush cleaner.  I've been using the Clean Brush Shampoo for quite a while now and it's not that I no longer like it, it's just that I'm always looking for new stuff to try and yes, cheaper alternatives.  This is priced at (more or less) Php250, so I told myself "Why not?"  So I got one and Mom wanted one for herself too, after telling her it's a brush cleaner.  If in the past I'm the one who gets influenced by her, now it's the other way around. Hahaha!

Product Review: Elf Brush Shampoo

Whenever I go travelling, there is always one thing (or more) that I'll forget for sure.  No matter how many times I would go through my "To-Bring" list, I will definitely miss something.  And my recent travel to US (then to here in Dubai), is not an exception. 

So what did I forget? My trusted makeup brush cleansers.  I have two:  the MAC brush cleanser and the J&J Milk Bath. I prefer the latter though because it's cheaper, it works as good as the MAC one and I don't have to bring a separate body wash. Don't you just love stuff that multitasks!? 

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I scoured through the aisles of Target and Walmart but failed.  I know I should've bought the MAC cleanser instead but hey, I'm currently unemployed so I think it's just right not to splurge (for now, tee hee).  I was on the verge of giving up and throwing my brushes away (of course, I'm kidding) when I came across this during one of my sneaky trips at Target:

 Elf Brush Shampoo

An anti-bacterial brush cleanser for thorough cleaning in-between makeup applications. Disinfects brushes to provide a fresh and clean application every time. Washes away traces of dirt, makeup, oil and debris from your brush while conditioning the hair to provide a clean and soft application for every use.

Ingredients:

Water(Aqua), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide MEA, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Chloride, Methylparaben.

I must admit, I was skeptical at first.  I've tried a number of makeup brush cleansers in the past and not all of them turned out good.  While some weren't really able to remove the dirt, some even left the brush hairs stiff!  Que horror!  The price tag of $3 made me get it though (ugh, I need a job soon LOL), with high hopes that it won't leave the brush hairs looking and feeling like that of a broom..at least.

It comes in a 120ml square, recyclable plastic bottle with a flip open cap.  It's travel-friendly and well, really nice for people who tend to break things..like me!  

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It has a gel-like consistency and you have to squeeze the bottle to get some product out.  I do wish it comes with a pump instead, as I'm sure it will get harder to get some product out once you're towards the end of the bottle.

To put it to test, I used a brush that I use with my cream concealer and another brush that I use with my powders:

Now the brushes after their "bath":

As you can see, most of the grime has been removed.  Well, I shampoo'd them twice. One is enough for those used with powders but I still ended up doing two.  But that's just me being OC.  

Honestly, I wasn't expecting that it will work on brushes that have been used with cream foundations/concealers, but it did! I've tried washing my flat foundation brush that I use with liquid/cream foundation and it also worked!  It wasn't able to get rid of everything though, like my MAC cleanser would but for the price, I am not gonna complain. 

Unlike other brush shampoos/cleanser I've tried, this doesn't lather as much.  I actually ended up using a lot at first because I was trying to make it lather then I realized it wasn't made to be like that.  It doesn't have a scent, so I kinda miss the scent my brushes would have after washing it with the J&J Milk Bath.  

 I also tried using it on my blending sponge and it also worked:

(sponge above is still wet but I promise you, the dirt is gone even after it has dried)

The brush hairs are perfectly fine, not stiff as I've thought it would be.  I even used it on my MAC brushes and they still look and feel fine after. 

What I like:

Travel-friendly, breakage-proof and recyclable packaging that's also see-through, so it's easy to see how much product's left

Does the job of cleaning the brushes but not as squeaky clean as MAC and J&J Milk Bath would

It's inexpensive

It doesn't leave a soapy residue

It doesn't dry out brush hairs. I even used it on my MAC brushes and they still look and feel okay

What I don't like:

It doesn't have a scent. Well, I have this weird impression that if something doesn't smell good, it's not clean. Okay, shoot me now. (laughs) I just miss the scent I get when I wash my brushes with Johnsons Milk Bath

It doesn't lather. 

Will I buy it again?

Yes.  I'm here in Dubai and I haven't seen Johnsons yet (and I heard it's not available here) so I guess I'm stuck with this brush shampoo for now.  Hmm, I'm just not sure if ELF is available here.  If not, I'll probably get a MAC brush cleanser but will just use them for my "special" brushes and find another good alternative for my other brushes.

How about you, what brush cleanser do you use?

^_^

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Product Review: J&C Super Clean Solutions Brush Cleaner

When I decided to pursue my love for makeup, and that was when I enrolled in makeup school,  my concern back then was what are the good makeup brands out there.  I read reviews or asked makeup artists who have been in the business for a long time.  Well, there was a time (there still is) when I went thru trial and error just to try out the product/s myself and find out whether it's good or not.

After investing on makeup, I then realized the importance of having a good set of brushes.  Gone are the days when I would think that tools don't matter.  They really do. And back in those days, the good brushes that I know (and most people do recommend), don't come cheap. Good thing there's Charm brushes nowadays! (wink)   And so, apart from making sure that my makeup would stay bacteria-free, I also have to make sure that my brushes would not only stay bacteria-free, but also in tip top shape!  

And so, the hunt for a good makeup brush cleaner began!

I've tried a lot of makeup brush cleaners, but my favorite is still the J and J Baby Milk Wash! I love how it gently cleans my brushes, and of course, the delicate milky scent.    But I don't always have access to water to clean my brushes most especially when I'm out in gigs.  And besides, I don't have all the time to wait for my brushes to dry when my next clients is already sitting on my makeup chair waiting for me to start working on her.  I can't just say, "Sorry dear, my brushes are still wet...wait lang ha!?" (laughs)  Of course, I have a few extra brushes, but what if it's one of those days when my brain failed me and just forgot to bring them all?  Patay na!  So it's just great to know that there are brush cleaners that can help you spot clean your precious brushes. I've tried a number of brands already, but it certainly won't hurt to explore new products.  Besides, it's always good to have options...tama!?

^_^

So here's my newest companion during my makeup gigs that certainly doesn't fall short of my expectations whenever I need my brushes to get cleaned...fast!

J&C Super Clean Solutions Makeup Brush Cleaner

It's a no-brainer makeup brush cleaner that cleans your brushes without the need to rinse with water.  It's quick-drying too!  And geesh, with its spearmint scent, I am absolutely addicted to it!  The first time I've used it, I wanted to use it as a gargle na!  (laughs)  To some, the scent might come too strong, but for me, it's absolutely LOVE!

It comes in a sturdy, plastic bottle so careless people like me won't have to worry.  It has an easy-to-use spray pump (I've tried some which can be a pain to use and I hate it!) that dispenses the right amount of product..so no wastage too!

ingredients

It does have alcohol but my brushes remain soft after.  I've used some that left the brush hairs so stiff that I had to wash my poor babies again with my milk wash.  But with this cleaner, brushes are ready to rock in no time!  

It does get rid of cream-based makeup, but it does take a bit longer to do so.  We all know how cream-based stuff can be such a pain to get rid of.  So what I do is I wipe the brush with wet wipes then use this cleaner after.  

spot-cleaned my Charm brushes!

The (beauty and) brains behind this product are the superwomen of ARC PR, Jenny Yrasuegi and Celine Gabriel-Lim.  With their busy schedules, they are always on the lookout for stuff that will not only deliver good results, but will also work in a snap!  This makeup brush cleaner is just the beginning, as they will be coming up with more products soon.  

For Php395 per 120ml bottle, I think this has got to be the cheapest brush cleaner I've tried that works.  

To know more about this product, please like J&C Super Clean Solutions on Facebook.

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Charm Travel Pro Sonia and J&C Super Clean Solutions Launch...

Last month, I got an invite to attend a very special launch at Manila Peninsula in Makati.  Traffic was  very bad, but I made sure I wouldn't miss it.  

Here's why...

After 5 successful, not to mention fabulous years in the market, CHARM launched its most sosyal and prettiest makeup brush set to date...the Charm Travel Pro Sonia.  Don't get me wrong, I love her pink brushes, but ever since I hit the double 3 this year, I am trying to start to look (and act, ows!?) my age. Pink has always been associated with kikay, younger women...and geesh, in as much as I wanted to stay young, I simply can't! So when she came up with the hot pink handles for her first travel pro set last year, I asked her if she can come up with black and gold.  I've always thought of that combo as mature, and well, fab.   And so imagine how happy I am when she finally told us she's coming up with the black/gold set.  And our darling Sophie didn't stop there, she even decided to house her new babies in an animal-print brush purse!

RAWR!

fellow bloggers and friends Ohh-ing and Ahh-ing during Sophie's presentation of her newest brush set

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But wait, there's more!  (laughs)  I know most of you have been on the lookout for a great makeup brush cleanser for a long time now.  Well, there's a number available in the market, but most of them didn't really meet all of my expectations.  There's this one from a famous brand that I so love, it really gets the dirt out of my brushes while caring for the brush hairs but the price is a bit steep.  There's this another one which gets the job done, but the smell doesn't go away...it's too strong that even my air freshener's no match to it.

But worry not, here's a new makeup brush cleaner in town...the J&C Super Clean Solutions. Business partners, Jenny Yrasuegi and Celine Gabriel-Lim, both know that high-quality brushes are expensive investments to women.  Whether a makeup artist, or just a makeup enthusiast,  you want your brushes to stay in its prime condition.  While some brush cleaners can do the job, sometimes it takes the brushes a while to dry. This becomes a problem when you are in a makeup gig and you have a number of clients to put makeup on, or you simply don't have a backup of a brush you like to use everyday. 

J and C Super Clean Solutions Makeup Brush Cleaner

After working with a team of specialized chemists, Jenny and Celine finally came up with the perfect brush cleaner.  Their Super Solutions brush cleaner gets the job done faster, at not even half the price of some imported brush cleaner..and it's also fortified with spearmint oil, to keep it smelling fresh and clean and in tip-top shape! I love the smell so much that I am keeping myself from using it as a gargle.  (laughs)  Seriously, i love the minty scent.  It's not too overpowering, it does stay on but it's not annoying like the one I used before.

Martha

Mind you, it can clean brushes that have been used with cream foundations or concealers.  You know how hard to take those nasty formulations off our dear brushes!

Marge 

There's two ways you can use this cleaner:

1. Spray it on the brush and gently swipe the brush on a clean tissue.  Repeat until all the dirt gets off.  What I do is I spray it ON the tissue then I wipe the brush on it.  Okay, OC na.  But I did try spraying it directly on my brushes and the hairs didn't go wonky after drying!

2. Pour a small amount of the solution in a cup, soak then swirl the brush in the solution.  Make sure that only the brush hairs are soaked.  You wouldn't want our dear brush to come off its ferrule!  

The price?  It's Php395 for a 125/ml bottle.  It's affordable, it works and travel-friendly too!

Celine, Sophie and Jenny

Beautiful, Brainy, Awesome, Fabulous and very good entrepreneurs...hay, you girls already!

^_^

and of course, we wouldn't miss the mandatory group shot..LOL!

Thanks Sophie, Jenny and Celine for that wonderful night of chismisan (laughs), good food and good company.  I really enjoyed making chikahan with all of you.  

Visit the FB pages of Charm and J & C Super Solutions to know more about their products or to purchase. 

Me thinks this is one of the coolest beauty collaboration to date!

^_^

Tata!

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