Anatomy of a Retractable Brush

Bugger. My Ecotools retractable kabuki brush, fell apart after just a few months’ use. Expected it to last at least half a year though. How disappointing 🙁

20100113 Ecotools Retractable Brush 1

20100113 Ecotools Retractable Brush 2
Original Form

Oh well, just in case you want to see a breakdown of the retractable brush (or any sort of retractable brushes for that matter), here you go.

20100113 Ecotools Retractable Brush 3
And it fell apart

In hindsight, the brush was more compact when it was in its original retractable state. When the casing fell apart, I found out that 5mm of the brush from the ferrule was covered by the metal bits, hence tightening its shape. After I threw the useless bits away, the brush actually felt fluffier and nicer to use.

Here’s something I want to show you, and it is how the brush hairs are glued together.

20100113 Ecotools Retractable Brush 4

There is a reason makeup experts tell you that you should, as much as possible, keep water away from the ferrule when you’re cleaning your makeup brushes. This is to prevent the water from causing the glue to dislodge from the bristles. When I washed the brush with shampoo, I noticed that everytime I squeezed water out of the bristles, the lather seeps through the back. I could see tiny soapy bubbles forming around the glue.

So the next time you clean your makeup brushes, do keep water as far away from the ferrule as possible to ensure your brushes last as long as possible.

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6 comments… add one
  1. Nikki

    eeekkk how disappointing indeed! so sorry this has to happen!

  2. Connie

    interesting… I must remember to be kinder to my brushes.

  3. gio

    This is an intersting post. I’m sorry that your brush fell apart though, that’s too bad! 🙁

  4. Catherine

    Oh no! Awwww… so sorry to hear that. I’ve had mine for not a very long time now and I do hope that doesn’t happen to mine! I’m sad to report that my baby kabuki has gotten rather scratchy and there’s just nothing I’ve tried that will make it soft again. I’m so disappointed because I’ve had it for less than a year and I only wash it once a week with gentle soap. All the rest of my EcoTools brushes (also bought around the same time) are still just doing swimmingly so I hope that’s the only one I’ve lost. =/

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