I think Koren is wonderful. I learn so many beauty tips from his YouTube channel: EnKoreMakeup. When I saw his "Sephora Inspired Brush Holder" video, I had to try it.
The Sephora Inspired Brush Holder is a brilliant idea. It helps keep your brushes separated from each other, and looks really pretty. I especially love how it keeps my short-handled brushes floating on top, because I had trouble figuring out how to best store them. They usually get lost in a regular cup with my other brushes.
Koren used Colorfill vase filler. So I bought the same thing from Michaels.
Unfortunately, Colorfill didn't work out so well for me. The problem was that the pieces are jagged, not round, and tend to flake from any kind of friction. This seems intentional because it gives the filler a crystallized appearance. But unfortunately, this is a problem in a brush holder, because you will be taking your brushes in and out of your holder on a regular basis. This will make the Colorfill material grind against each other and create even more flakes.
Here's my Japonesque foundation brush in a cup of Colorfill:
My brush handle is covered with schmutz!
I wasn't thrilled about this. (Do I sound a bit anal? Hee hee. I confess.) Yet I continued to use my pretty new brush holder anyway, because I loved it.
But I finally had to put the Colorfill away when I noticed that my brushes were feeling gritty, and began poking me as I was blending makeup on my eyelids. (I wash my brushes frequently, so I don't think they were dirty.) I couldn't see it, but I suspect that it was those darned Colorfill flakes getting into my brushes.
So I began looking around for alternatives to the Colorfill. I tried to use mini marbles that I found at Michaels, as suggested by Temptalia. Unfortunately, the mini marbles were just too big. It was hard to put my brushes into the holder, I had to jam them in really hard. And I could only fit a few in there. And the marbles were quite expensive, too.
Then I finally found the perfect solution: Poly-Pellets!
Poly-Pellets are small plastic pellets, and they are used as stuffing for weighted dolls like Beanie Babies. They are non-toxic and washable. They are made of 100% polypropylene, which is used to make Tupperware, among many other things. Hopefully that will give you a better idea about what they look and feel like. The shape and size resemble rice kernels. They are lightweight and smooth, and will not harm your brushes.
A close-up of the Poly-Pellets:
I was able to buy Poly-Pellets at Michaels, near the yarn section. They cost $7.99 for a 2 lb. bag. (Colorfill costs $5.99 for a 1 lb. bag at Michaels, so Poly-Pellets are cheaper. Another plus.)
So here are my brush holders now filled with Poly-Pellets:
I was able to fill 3 holders from one bag. The two on the left are 6-inch hurricane vases I bought from Michaels ($6.99 each). The one on the right is my makeup brush holder from Glitzy Glam. I'm also showing you a picture of my empty Poly-Pellets bag, because it looks different from the one on the website.
I am really loving the Poly-Pellets. They work very well and look great. I can take my brushes in and out of the holders with ease, and the brushes stay put and upright perfectly. And best of all, my brushes are schmutz-free!
Also, I recently learned that using decorative sand vase filler is not a good idea, either, because it can scratch up your brushes. (Here's an example shared by educatedbiatch.)
So it looks like not all types of vase fillers work well for making Sephora Inspired Brush Holders. I hope my suggestion helped you. Enjoy your cute new schmutz- & scratch-free brush holders!
The Sephora Inspired Brush Holder is a brilliant idea. It helps keep your brushes separated from each other, and looks really pretty. I especially love how it keeps my short-handled brushes floating on top, because I had trouble figuring out how to best store them. They usually get lost in a regular cup with my other brushes.
Koren used Colorfill vase filler. So I bought the same thing from Michaels.
Unfortunately, Colorfill didn't work out so well for me. The problem was that the pieces are jagged, not round, and tend to flake from any kind of friction. This seems intentional because it gives the filler a crystallized appearance. But unfortunately, this is a problem in a brush holder, because you will be taking your brushes in and out of your holder on a regular basis. This will make the Colorfill material grind against each other and create even more flakes.
Here's my Japonesque foundation brush in a cup of Colorfill:
My brush handle is covered with schmutz!
I wasn't thrilled about this. (Do I sound a bit anal? Hee hee. I confess.) Yet I continued to use my pretty new brush holder anyway, because I loved it.
But I finally had to put the Colorfill away when I noticed that my brushes were feeling gritty, and began poking me as I was blending makeup on my eyelids. (I wash my brushes frequently, so I don't think they were dirty.) I couldn't see it, but I suspect that it was those darned Colorfill flakes getting into my brushes.
So I began looking around for alternatives to the Colorfill. I tried to use mini marbles that I found at Michaels, as suggested by Temptalia. Unfortunately, the mini marbles were just too big. It was hard to put my brushes into the holder, I had to jam them in really hard. And I could only fit a few in there. And the marbles were quite expensive, too.
Then I finally found the perfect solution: Poly-Pellets!
Poly-Pellets are small plastic pellets, and they are used as stuffing for weighted dolls like Beanie Babies. They are non-toxic and washable. They are made of 100% polypropylene, which is used to make Tupperware, among many other things. Hopefully that will give you a better idea about what they look and feel like. The shape and size resemble rice kernels. They are lightweight and smooth, and will not harm your brushes.
A close-up of the Poly-Pellets:
I was able to buy Poly-Pellets at Michaels, near the yarn section. They cost $7.99 for a 2 lb. bag. (Colorfill costs $5.99 for a 1 lb. bag at Michaels, so Poly-Pellets are cheaper. Another plus.)
So here are my brush holders now filled with Poly-Pellets:
I was able to fill 3 holders from one bag. The two on the left are 6-inch hurricane vases I bought from Michaels ($6.99 each). The one on the right is my makeup brush holder from Glitzy Glam. I'm also showing you a picture of my empty Poly-Pellets bag, because it looks different from the one on the website.
I am really loving the Poly-Pellets. They work very well and look great. I can take my brushes in and out of the holders with ease, and the brushes stay put and upright perfectly. And best of all, my brushes are schmutz-free!
Also, I recently learned that using decorative sand vase filler is not a good idea, either, because it can scratch up your brushes. (Here's an example shared by educatedbiatch.)
So it looks like not all types of vase fillers work well for making Sephora Inspired Brush Holders. I hope my suggestion helped you. Enjoy your cute new schmutz- & scratch-free brush holders!
9 comments:
Thank you so much! I'm just looking for the perfect kind of filler to fill in a brush holder. This article is very helpful.Very helpful.
Amazing! Thank you sooo much! I am just starting with mac brushes and this is just a piece of mind. Thanks once again =)
thank you for the suggestion! ^_^
OMG! The Poly Pellets are fabulous! They are so perfect. They have the look of the Colorfill but because of their smooth finish,they wont harm your brushes. My question is why are people still using the colorfill? Thanks for this suggestion!
Thank you for the suggestion of the Poly Pellets. I had gotten regular glass stone vase fillers and my brushes were always falling out of the jar. Thanks again for letting us all know so we don't have to drive ourselves crazy trying to figure out what to use.
Very good advice. I"m going to Michaels tomorrow. Thank you
I'll have to swing by Michael's on my way home from the office tomorrow. I've gotten to the point that I have so many brushes that I don't know where they are in the jumble of my brush holder any more.
You are a GENIUS! I tried and hated the mini marbles from Michaels (luckily, I bought a wee bag during a 50% off sale so it was only $1.30 wasted). And then I read this post and promptly ran out and bought 2 lbs Poly Pellets from Walmart for $4.97 pre-tax; the same bag was $9 at Michaels.
Anyway, the poly pellets are perfect! THANK YOU!
Omg, standing in Michaels right now and u just saved me a ton of trouble!!
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