Brushes are wonderful for applying your makeup, but you have to remember to clean them often so they don’t breed nasty bacteria that can make you break out or contaminate your cosmetics.

I spot clean and deep clean my brushes religiously for that reason, but also to keep them in good condition. After all, I invested quite a bit for my brushes, so I want them to last as long as possible.

I’ve tried The Brush Guard to help dry and shape my brushes, and I’m quite pleased with the results. It has a simple design, doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, and does its job wonderfully. Why hasn’t someone thought of this sooner?

Come see photos of what it looks like, and read my review on how it works and why you should use it.

The Brush Guard Pictures

Claims: TRUSTED

√ Protects your brushes
√ Keeps handles clean
√ Helps brushes maintain their shape while drying

Key Notes

• Name: The Brush Guard
• Sizes Available: Extra Small, Small, Medium & Large
• Packages Available: All 1 Size or Variety Pack (includes 1 Extra Small, 2 Small, 2 Medium & 1 Large)
• What I Paid: Nothing! (These were sent to me for honest review.)
• Price: $5.50 USD (includes tax & US shipping) – Add $2 for Canada & $3 for International up to 5 sets
• Where to Buy: The Brush Guard (Edit – January 12, 2012: Just found out from The Brush Guard that their products are now sold at Wal-Mart! 🙂 They’ve also been featured in In Style magazine.)

The Brush Guard Review

Typically after you’ve washed your brushes, you’re supposed to lay them flat to dry instead of standing with the bristles up. This prevents the ferrule (i.e. the metal part connecting the brush to the handle) from seeping water that could rot and destroy the brush.

The Brush Guard is simple yet genius. It’s a stretchable, breathable tube that you slide over your brush handle onto the bristles. It allows you to dry your brushes with the brush side down in a cup. Why does this matter? Gravity will pull the moisture down so it can evaporate away from the ferrule.

Another great thing about this is that while lying your brushes on their side can take up a lot of space, drying your brushes in a cup doesn’t. And it makes moving your wet brushes to another location a cinch.

Remember to wash The Brush Guard before your initial use. I sprayed mine with some MAC Brush Cleanser to disinfect it. Then I dried it with a paper towel.

Which Size Should You Get?

• Extra Small – Eye-shadow, Eye-liner, eyebrow, lip, concealer & nail-art brushes (1/4 inch)
• Small – Blush & contouring brushes (3/8 inch)
• Medium – Foundation & small flat-top brushes (5/8 inch)
• Large – Powder, bronzer & big kabuki brushes (1 inch or bigger)

When you slide The Brush Guard on, pull it on from the handle to the bristles. Don’t pull the other direction or you’ll get stray and misshapen bristles! Also, leave an excess of The Brush Guard sticking out at the end so your bristles don’t touch the bottom of the cup.

You can also put these on the handles of your brushes to protect them or to provide some extra grip. I don’t really think this is necessary for me, so I just use The Brush Guard for drying purposes.

Since I received The Brush Guard recently, I haven’t noticed any fraying. The packaging says “With use, The Brush Guard may fray. Moderate fraying will not impair The Brush Guard’s effectiveness”.

Pros Inexpensive Helps brushes maintain their shape while drying Keeps bristles in place during storage or while in your purse Prevents water from seeping into the ferrule of your brush since it lets you dry your brushes pointing down Provides protection & grip for handles Worldwide shipping available Many sizes to choose from (plus variety pack available)

Cons Can only be ordered online

Final Verdict: 9/10

I recommend this to everyone who uses makeup brushes. The Brush Guard helps keep your brushes looking like new for longer and drying them so much easier. Plus it doesn’t cost much so it’s accessible to even the budget-conscious.