Umm… what? Mascara brushes?
Yesterday, in my post about Super Lube o-ring lubricant, I mentioned how thicker greases from a squeeze-tube can be messy to apply. They’re like Vaseline out of a toothpaste tube, or worse – grease in a can that needs to be scooped out.
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Greg wrote:
I once purchased some anti-seize and it was shipped with several disposable mascara brushes, and they worked great for the task! I imagine they’d also work well for silicone lubricant purposes too.
Some of the mascara brushes on Amazon also show the small disposable brushes being used for random small space and crevice cleaning tasks as well.
This seems like a good idea. I agree, these look great for applying difficult materials (such as grease), or for cleaning in tight spaces.
It looks like the metal wire holding the bristles together can be bent, to get into corners and crevices.
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These mascara brushes are cheap – the pink ones are currently $4.39 for (100), and the blue sparkly ones are $4.99 for (100).
There are other colors as well, with no apparent differences aside from aesthetics.
I also came across finer-tipped applicator brushes, but there are tons of complaints about their quality. For precise applications or cleaning tasks, one could always get a pack of foam or other lint-free swabs from industrial supply channels.
I ordered 2 packs of mascara brushes, hoping to see if different suppliers have different quality. And if not, I can color-code when working with multiple materials – maybe one color for cleaning gunk, and the other for applying fresh grease.
I’d worry about the brushes shedding bristles, but if people use them around their eyes without complaints, they should be good enough for disposable workshop use. I mean, 5 cents apiece? That’s cheaper than acid brushes.
I figure that I’ll try these out for grease application, but they’ll probably see more use at cleaning crevices. At $5 for 100, or even less, it’s worth a try.
I searched for tool-use-related alternatives, but found nothing aside from pricier tube-cleaning brushes. I have a couple of those in different sizes, but they weren’t cheap, and I’d never use them for the things I might use a disposable brush for.
And before you say “what about acid brushes,” those applicators often have thin bristles that wouldn’t pick up or apply greases very well.
Mascara brushes really do seem like a good idea.
Buy Now: Pink Brushes via Amazon
Buy Now: Sparkly Blue Brushes via Amazon
If you’re shopping for brushes, also consider some of the other types that we use:
See Also: Acid Brushes
See Also: Industrial Toothbrushes
And also:
See Also: Cotton Swabs – honestly, I just raid the medicine cabinet every so often
See Also: Foam Swabs – I typically buy USA-made, but might try these
Oh no, what kind of “suggested products” is Amazon going to fill my screen with now that I ordered mascara brushes?!
This brings something else to mind – several people have politely informed or yelled at me over the years for ToolGuyd showing women’s clothing ads. Browsing behavior tends to determine the types of ads Google shows you in designated ad blocks! We block potentially offensive advertisement categories (and then some) by default, but women’s clothing ads are going to come through if those are the types of products Google thinks you’re shopping for!! Other times, it’s contextual based, and so this post might see some very odd ad targeting.
TonyT
If the clothing ads help keep Toolguyd running, I have no complaints!
Stuart
The thing is, the Google ads are usually different depending on the visitor’s browsing behavior. If you’re shopping for plane tickets, the next website you visit might have airline ads. If you shop for building toys, the next site you visit might be for Legos. And so forth.
I believe there was once a single complaint about a graphic adult-oriented ad, but adult content is blocked, and I couldn’t see what could have happened. Spyware? Rogue ad that got past Google screening? There are 14 sensitive and 2 highly sensitive categories that are blocked on ToolGuyd.
Jim Felt
So that’s why you never post stuff about Micro-Mark tools etc? ;-)~
Kidding. They’re for modeling mostly.
Tom D
Some ads have been quite suggestive even if the product is no – especially web games. Perhaps that was one.
Stuart
It wasn’t exactly suggestive… here’s the comment: https://toolguyd.com/gearing-up-for-some-tool-giveaways/#comment-1145301
The video games category is completely blocked.
Jared
It’s a good idea. Thanks for bringing it up Greg.
John
Haven’t tried it myself, but I would think the bristles would be too firm and the spacing to be an issue. But if they work then ok. I use Qtips at times.
Ed Sichler
If my wife leaves some sitting around I usually grab a few. I find them useful when cleaning/detailing my vehicles including bicycles and various tools as well.
Bob
I vote for the sparkly ones lol.
Never thought of those brushes. Good idea.
I do also like oral syringes for grease application. The ones with the caps are good to keep the mess down. Makes an impromptu squirt gun also! Here is a 10 pack from wally world:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/10-Pack-10ml-Syringes-Bottle-Adapter-Drawing-liquid-Out-Various-Sized-Bottles-Suitable-Oral-Medication-Pet-Feeding-Glue-Experimental-Industrial-Use-C/816179706
jsbson
If you live near a “Farm” type store they usually have many helpful syringes. Farm and Fleet, rural king, etc.
https://www.farmandfleet.com/veterinary-syringes/
fred
There is a company called Microbrush International that makes all sorts of small applicators and brushes primarily for dental and medical use. They are nice for hobby work.
https://microbrush.com/products/applicators/
When you search on “microbrush” on Amazon you may get linked to some of their product as well as lots of cheaper alternatives
Stuart
Thanks!
I’m seeing prices of $32 for 400.
There are no-name imports – similar to these brushes – priced at 500 for $9, but complaints about inconsistency and all kinds of other problems.
I might have to try these too – they look to be perfect for things like super glue repairs.
Steve
You’ve talked me into some pretty expensive tools over the years Stuart. Are you sure you aren’t a shill? I’m ordering pink!
JoeM
I don’t think he’s much of a Schill, but he’s definitely Evil when he wants to be. Stuart can get used to a lot of the preferences and niche interests of many of us Readers, then he WILL prank us with links to articles he’s written over the years, filled with things we never knew we needed.
And he’s subtle too… He’ll say little things “Oh, I still have to show you this…” then you’re down the rabbit hole, and looking for when you can buy everything on a page. He can be very cruel about it, but he also is so personable and… yeah… lovable about it… that you can’t stay mad at him…
He and I already have a kind of back and forth running joke. “We don’t want a repeat of the EDC Scissors and Pentel incident, do we?” Wherein I reference that one of his favourite tools to recommend for EDC are the Engineer PH-55 EDC Scissors. And for Mechanical Pencils? The Pentel GraphGear 1000 Mechanical Pencils. He has blown my budget AND my mind in the past, and he knows it!
Stuart
Speaking of which, I showed you the new imported-from-Japan GraphGear’s right? https://www.etsy.com/listing/619291474/pentel-graphgear-1000-05mm-mechanical
=P
JoeM
Yes! This is probably about the THIRD time you’ve tempted me with that… but I reach out, and I hold my STANDARD Pentel Graphgear 1000 in hand, and I say to myself “You won’t get me today, Stuart… you won’t get me today… I am Satisfied with the original…”
But you do come close! My Amazon wish list STILL has at least 3 different deburring tools laying in wait… one for soft woods and plastic, and two supposedly designed for Metal… At the very least… The day you blew my mind with the deburring tools was life altering… I’ve just been slowing down on the purchases lately, that’s all.
You and Adam Savage have a tendency to make me question my life choices, and my budget especially, on a regular basis.
Stuart
I’m glad you’ve been liking the GraphGear!
If you’ve been using it a lot, what type of pencil lead have you been using? You know, HB is my go-to, but I’ve been trying out 2B. The softer lead leads a slightly darker line, and without that much faster wear…
=)
Deburring tools are very useful. I bought a set once, and different blades, but really there are just one or two more popular styles that can be used for a broad range of shapes. It’s a good idea to buy several styles for specialty tasks, but you can get away with an inexpensive one-blade-type set to start with.
There are a couple of Noga options for $15 and under.
MSC’s sales flyer is a good place to watch for sales, but you usually have to pay shipping.
If you ever find yourself on McMaster Carr, they have decent pricing.
Home Depot’s website has some Shaviv for under $10. Milwaukee’s is priced at $10 and available in stores. It’s a decent tool, but not the best value compared to the industrial brands.
As I said, no harm in keeping a wishlist – I still have quite a few things on mine.
Mike P.
For general deburring, I usually reach for my triangular scraper. I prefer the wood handled, short blade type, like this: https://www.grainger.com/product/WESTWARD-Machinists-Scraper-39CE56
I resharpen mine on a bench stone, down to nice sharp point, and I can get into tiny crevasses and corners.
JoeM
Sorry Stuart… I don’t get to use my pencils too often. Still using HB that came with it. Strangely enough, I find myself usually frustrated at what writing utensil I need these days. The whole Lockdown thing has really limited my needs for things, and I type more than I sketch or draw.
I will say I’m considering getting a variety of lead refill packs to try out. Both for myself, and my Nephew the Artist. It’s all down to just being frustrated with all the shipping issues and political situation that is happening between Canada and the US. Some of my best suppliers for my favourite hobbies, as well as some of the collaborators I keep around me for other projects, are all on the other side of the Canada/US border, and physical objects getting from either side to the other has become a sysyphean feat, with costs that make no sense.
As to the deburring tools… A lot is on hold… Times are weird, and getting weirder… so… lately I’ve been doing other life-stuff instead of my tool stuff. I’m not happy about that, but it’s hard to justify going and getting the supplies and such for building my custom Bedroom Suite and Desk/Workbench when I know the costs and space to do the work are going to be destroyed.
Stuart
Teasing aside, look at JetPens – they have sampler packs that cater to the “but which should I pick?” type of people. At the least, it can help point you in right direction about what to try next.
Amazon carries much of the same, but you have to buy multi-packs. It’ll run you less though – every time I shop at JetPens I inevitably find more that I’ve been meaning to buy or try, and to qualify for free shipping.
JoeM
Oh, I bookmarked JetPens a while back! You already got me wanting a really nice Pilot Metropolitain Fountain Pen for pre-scanning ink sessions on some of my plans I draw (or have drawn in the past.) and again, I want to get one or two of the same pens for my Nephew. Maybe my cousin as well, since she’s the family artist, and we’re so, SO proud of her amazing work. She’s one of the next-generation kids on my Mom’s side, and all of us of MY generation of Mom’s side are fighting over who she gets to practice her tattoo skills on. But, you already sold me on a Fountain Pen. I’ve known for over 20 years about the value of them in drafting and darkening lines for scanning images into a computer. You really reminded me how much I forgot I wanted one when you started talking about your love of Fountain pens a while back. The only thing stopping me from already having bought and sampled JetPens’ wares has come down to the craziness of the world right now. Stuff has happened that has made me prioritize other things, and that’s literally the only thing between me, and your suggestions.
If you can believe it, and I’m not over-sharing… I’m the NON-CREATIVE one on my Mother’s Side. But, having grown up with so many Artists, Musicians, and Comedians on her side, I’ve learned how to REALLY appreciate the art, the work, and the TOOLS they use. They’re the reason I’m not afraid to walk into weird places to find the tool supplies I need! Toy stores for Model Kits and Supplies like stir sticks and model paints, Nail Salons for Emery Board supplies, Drag Queens knowing where the high end makeup supplies are (Just like the bulk pack of mascara brushes, but… for all kinds of other products too!)… It’s because I’m the Logical/Computer-Like Robot of a family of Creative, Caring, Artistic, Open-Minded Wackos, and I wouldn’t change a dang thing about them for all they’ve shown me.
But, feel free to remind me as often as you want, Stuart! As far as I’M concerned, you and I aren’t teasing eachother. It’s just our banter, and I value every second of it. You’ve taught me so much just by showing things EXIST that I can never thank you enough.
But, frankly… For the next while, with Covid, and the weird political situation between Canada and the US regarding Covid (not intending this to be a political discussion, just referencing the reason for something.) I’m probably going to sound far more like I’m wishing for things, rather than actively getting them. I have a lot going on, not the least of which is taking care of my freshly-turned-74 year old Mother (On October 12th) after she had a “Massive Heart Attack” (Quotes from the Doctors.) back in July or August. There has been a lot of focus put on her health, and putting aside a lot of my hobbies to survive the exhaustion.
But to update on our usual Banter?
-I have JetPens Bookmarked, I intend to buy several things from them.
-I plan on looking for the Pentel Graphite Refills on Amazon, or some Art Store nearby, just in sets of sampling all the different hardness factors. Even if I gotta spend it in the form of 2-packs that I get one of each on, then send the second one in the pack to my Nephew in a care package.
-Recommend all you want on the deburring tools. I have a few choice bookmarks on Amazon in a wishlist of tools. It’s less about the cost right now, and more about getting the first one to see how I use it.
-Seriously… Rib me all you want about that Pentel GraphGear 1000 you got me to buy, it has come in handy when my description of something wasn’t enough, and I had to pull out a little notebook and sketch out what I meant (badly) to someone else.
-I still have the Engineer Scissors sitting on my messy desk, in case of need. They’ve even helped out when I appear to have lost my Fabric Scissors, and had to resort to them in a pinch for some leather work.
-The Lockdowns have me exhausted all the time. Don’t be afraid to call me on when I have a brain-fart. The funny part of our running joke is still there, even if I seem confused sometimes. This is a weird world right now, and keeping track of time and dates right now is truly odd for everyone.
Stuart
I am sorry to hear that – I hope she has a speedy and easy recovery!
As for not having time to mess around with fountain pens, maybe you should try a…
Anyway, thank you for your words! Introducing tools to people is why ToolGuyd exists.
It’s not about connecting you to something to buy, but showing you what’s there and helping to fill in any blanks about why it’s suited or even optimal for use.
I’m not here to sell you (readers) anything, I’m here to give you the information and insights you need to make determinations for yourself. And if something isn’t useful right now, maybe it will be in the future. And even if not, maybe it’ll link to something you can use, or inspire in some way.
Jim Felt
JoeM. What a wonderful (well, mostly, wonderful) discussion with Stuart.
All the best for your mom. As for pens and pencils etc. I’m more taken with your COVID-centric observations vis-à-vis The Great White North and the Untied States of A.
I think you guys and most of the balance of the First World have handled this better then many down here.
What a strange time.
Be well and stay safe.
JoeM
…I’m just going for it…
Hell Yes… Mascara Brushes, Foundation Applicators, BLUSH BRUSHES/MAKEUP BRUSHES… I… Just… HELL YES…
Okay… It’s counterintuitive… but you need to remember… Women are Tool Users too… Even when they’re not TOOLS… they’re using things LIKE Tools… Mascara Brushes, Sponges, Applicators of every imaginable kind… A LIPSTICK TUBE… Dear Sweet Mother Of Ice Cream…
The number of applications that TOOLS THEMSELVES need maintenance, cleaning, or general appliance of substances TO them… Raid a Woman’s Makeup Stockpile (with permission) to try samples of these things. Some women go WAY overboard on their Makeup supply purchases, and if you ask to look at what they’ve got, yes… you get funny looks at first… but when you pull out something as simple as a MASCARA BRUSH from their kit, and ask them if you could use one? They get it. They’ve been using them like this all along, not just for the title the item holds, but for actually maintaining the makeup kits they own…
Just to name a FEW of the applications:
-Mascara Brushes:
Mini Scrubber
Applicator
De-Clumping Tool
Glue or Crevice Paintbrush
Glue Cleanup
EDGE CLEANUP!
…Insert Whatever Detailed Scrubbing or Painting Need Here…
Sponges Round or Triangular: Cut Off ANY Size, in ANY shape you need, add a Toothpick or other end, TINY STRAIGHT LINE PAINTBRUSH!
-Stains: Precise application into the corners of boxes and edges
-Glue: Edge and Surface Evening of application
-Paint: Dabber and Detailer
-DRY: Remove loose flaking of any substance, rust, gold leafing, etc.
-CLEANING: Soap and Water OR Detergents, fine detail scrubbing on Metals and Painted Surfaces.
MAKEUP BRUSHES: MANY Sizes, MANY Uses.
-Dust fine details off precision work
-Mini-Broom
-Surface Clearing for fine particles/shavings
-Glass Dust Removal from Hands and Work Area
-Many, MANY more applications.
LIPSTICK TUBES: Really ANY of the little tubes women use that twist at the bottom, and raise a greasy/waxy/whatever item up to apply to their faces. Expensive Container to them, Twist-Tube To YOU. just clean out whatever they had in it before, when they’re done using it. Then add what YOU need it for on the platform it provides.
-First Aid: Gause soaked in Alcohol/Peroxide/Whatever, Easy wound disinfector.
-Finishes: Detail Wax Container. Form a stick of appropriate diameter for the tube, out of the wax/oil/balmy material. Becomes an applicator of the substance for around edges you want to work on.
-Lubricant: Same as First Aid, just a whole lot greasier… Roll up some Gause, soak it in the Lubricant, apply in broad strokes OR dab spots to be worked in by other methods (see Mascara Brushes.)
-PERSONAL CARE: Ever use those “Burts Bees” types of products? Stuff that repairs the cracks and dryness of your hands or feet from what you do? These Twist-Tubes are easy quick applicators of the stuff. Yes, Burts Bees actually sell twist-tube chapstick, and even LIPSTICK, now, so why use it for this at all? Burts Bees isn’t the only company you may use these for. Lava Soap? Heavy Degreasing Soap? This makes a portable little container for those times when you aren’t in range of your home supply. Just need a bit of water, open the tube, twist and apply some soap to your hands as you would with the full sized bar.
-AS A BRUSH!!! Pick a kind. Toothbrush/Plastic Bristles, Metal Wire Bristles, Nylon/Rubber Bristles… Any Diameter of these Tubes, just cut off or gather together a stack of the bristles you need, then glue them down to the platform, as appropriate. The length of the bristles, compared to the length of the tube, will give you different amounts of “Spread” for the bristles, the further out the tube you twist them. This is handy for everything you use those bristles for. Really short lets you scrub harder, loose lets you get into crevices and twist as needed. Twisting the tube to retract the bristles ALWAYS brings the bristles back into line, just be sure you applied the right glue to the platform for the material of the bristles.
To this end: Whatever female you “Borrowed” these things from will likely get nosy to figure out how YOU used them. For the safety of your dignity, don’t be afraid to share what you do with these makeup products. She may want her own for her own reasons, so it may result in you making more. If they really like it, congrats… You’re her hero for a while! My Apologies: She may think you want ALL of the spares she has… Suppliers, maybe. Empties? Not all the time.
SPECIAL NOTE: The best of the best OF THE BEST quality for these comes from an uncomfortable place many males don’t get a lot of exposure to in their daily lives. If you know ANYONE in Theater Performance, ESPECIALLY… Drag Queens… Go Here… Ask THEM where they get their supplies… Performance-Level versions of these products are usually sold in Bulk, AND they’re often orders of magnitude better quality than everyday use makeup products.
Full Disclosure: I have an older Sister, and have adopted MANY women over the years as siblings through School or whatever other source. I have ALWAYS had access to these products, so I am entirely desensitized to the hesitation of asking for them. I also have MANY people in my family who are part of the Rainbow Community… LGBTEtc… I once had a Drag Queen for a Hair Stylist in High School… I am entirely comfortable with Theater and Drag Shows… It is entirely NORMAL for me to walk into a gay bar, as a straight male, if someone I know is either performing, or is in town and went there to relax. This is how I know about the Theater and Drag Queen levels of quality difference for these products. I have many in my family, and was raised from the time I was a very small child with them all over the place. I am confident enough in my masculinity to accept hugs and such, I just don’t like the glitter. That’s IT. That’s my line in the sand. Glitter. I hate the stuff. But if I need those sponges, or I need the mascara brushes… I’ll look online, sure… but if the prices aren’t to my liking? I’m going to ask family members who do Drag if they know of better deals.
I highly recommend, regardless of your personal comfort level… that you go seeking this kind of source. Regardless of Religious Belief, Political Affiliation, or that “Icky” feeling we sometimes get when we don’t like something (Which I still get, that’s why I’m still Straight and have never questioned it. I still feel the Ick factor of thinking on the Alternative.) …Reach out of your comfort zone to this source. It’s worth it. And the shows they put on are usually HILARIOUS, and BEYOND Fun. It’s not as bad or evil as you may think it is, AND you can get info on tool supplies while you’re at it!
fred
If I missed them in your list I apologize – but had to add : emery boards
JoeM
There’s a lot more than just Emery Boards that could be added… But there’s only so much room on a post, and this site as a whole.
It has been my experience that, for all the political correctness people argue about, there’s this fundamental line in the sand that supercedes all other arguments. Regardless of Gender, Race, Creed, Belief, Style, or Class in the world… humans are remarkably efficient at applying whatever is at hand as a method to get a job done.
Tools do not, in fact, plug into our genetalia to assure it is being used by the gender it was designed for. Therefore, WE, as TOOL USERS, are often picking things up and using them for the job we NEED, regardless of their designed use. The Female-Oriented forms of Dress and Makeup have often been co-opted by Male-Dominated industries in order to get THEIR jobs done. In Theater Arts, Makeup for Women was often repurposed to shade skin on Male Actors so that their facial expressions could be read on stage. Similarly, as with the list I’ve given above, and the original post of the Mascara Brushes, Carpenters and Electronics Technicians among a long list of other fields, have also been picking out otherwise-female branded products for use by their fields.
In the Inverse, despite a few hiccups to the contrary with misogynistic marketing by some brands, many of our well-established Power Tool and Hand Tool brands are well known, and co-opted by normally Female-Dominated industries for their own reasons.
We, as a species are tool users, and problem solvers… I think it’s more up to the common knowledge base surrounding us to adapt to OUR acceptance of these facts, rather than any attempt to get us to be more politically correct about our techniques and practices. We are already pretty used to just handing tools to Women, Gay Men, Transgender Individuals, and just Humans of any sort, from very young ages, and saying “Here. This is how you use this tool. Use it to make whatever you need to make.” We ultimately only care that A) They can lift and hold the tools in question (Small children or people missing digits for whatever reason in existence.) and B) They take proper safety precautions like we do when operating said tools.
It’s no more strange to see a tool user like me, or you, fred, buying makeup sponges and mascara brushes, than it is seeing little girls wear mechanic overalls and “Helping” their Dads do their Woodworking or Automotive projects. Today it’s “Hand me that screwdriver, sweetie.” Some day it’ll be “I have more of these mascara brushes in my makeup drawer in my room, I’ll go grab some to tend to these O-Rings, back in a minute, Daddy!”
And, of course, much like my OWN upbringing, the roles can be easily reversed in gender there. Where my Mother was the tool user, and I was learning from HER instead of my Father. The reality is, us Tool Users are probably more politically correct, and adaptable to the suggestion that we use non-standard supplies listed for another gender’s use, than we are given credit for.
Hell, Unscented, Extra-Absorbent Tampons are recommended First Aid gear now. Not for treating Women’s monthly issues on the fly, but for their utility to instantly pack a puncture wound with the appropriate pressure required to stop a hemmorage on the way to a hospital. Tools are Tools to us these days. We don’t stop or feel embarrassed to pick up something that was never meant for us to use in the ways we use them. In fact, innovative ways to do things are kinda how a lot of people working in fabrication and making industries get their reputations. I’ve seen Cheese Cloth deformed in a way that it mimics the pattern of wood grain, used in an auto paint shop for EXACTLY that effect. Spray over the cheese cloth, let it dry, pull away the cheese cloth, Wood Pattern paint job done.
I could go on for ages about how much we improvise and innovate through pushing boundaries of what we’re willing to use AS TOOLS.
JoeM
Amen to that! I left a LOT out actually. There’s too many to list, really.
David
Now you folks really are overlooking the obvious…..
I gave small 4″ curved files with no edge on one side and small handles to the ladies in my life and was a hero!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0052RLXI4/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MYBH12Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Truth be told, I bought a dozen of these files for $9.25. When they got here, the batch was made in India. I had a hang nail in the shop and gave it a try, it worked sooooo…….. I found an alternative use for them that made everyone happy.
JoeM
Well, I haven’t really overlooked that side of things either. What’s true for tool supplies ONE direction, is also true the opposite direction. I get dry, rough heels, and pull out my Dremel every once in a while to roughly sand off all the excess skin. When my Dad was alive, he was getting into his 70’s, and I had to use MY tools to try and trim his toe nails, because he just wasn’t able anymore, and he really messed up those toenails.
A Tool is a tool is a tool. Doesn’t matter the gender of the user, or the application they’re using it for, tools and supplies for said tools, they aren’t much good to anyone if someone doesn’t find it useful somehow.
I gave my friend’s daughter a set of Tekton needle files because I heard she was into really tiny things, and working on really tiny projects. Turns out, her tastes changed, and those Tekton Needle Files are also great for doing nails, and other artsy things I never intended them for. But I was still a hero for spending all of $10 on a set for her. It doesn’t take much, really. Tools are pretty universal, and usually make great gifts… If you can imagine the other person using them somehow, then it’s worth it.
John804
Great tip – thank you. I really appreciate cheap tips and tricks like this.
Andrew
I like to use dental picks like these for cleaning very small parts, such as found on an air brush. Cheap, plentiful, and disposable, what’s not to like?
https://www.riteaid.com/shop/gum-soft-picks-dental-picks-original-100-ct
fred
Dental brushes are also handy for tiny cleaning jobs:
https://www.amazon.com/G-U-M-Proxabrush-Go-Betweens-Cleaners-Tight/dp/B018LM123C
buy them at Amazon for about $10 – or at the drugstore for about $5
ktash
I’ve been getting the dental brushes at the Dollar Store for a while now. Haven’t been there for a while, but they work fine and are a name brand. 4 for $1. Just used them in cleaning my computer innards. Along with some triangular makeup sponges that are also cheap and non-shedding and excellent for many uses when gentle cleaning is needed.
George
I was just thinking I needed a cleaning tool like this a few days ago. Problem is that I can’t remember now what it was that I wanted to clean out.
I’m sure I’ll run into it again, but these things would be great for getting dust out of crevices and nooks in a computer (between memory sticks, heat sink fans, power supplies, etc).
Corey Moore
I’m in tears thinking of how many upset folks are still learning that most of their web ads are tailored to their search/purchase histories haha I’ve had that awkward explanation with a couple people before, but I never considered just how many times you must have, what with owning your own site.
Stuart
I had to explain the same to my father a few times. Every now and then I hear about what ads he sees on our Facebook page.
It has gotten spookier. I’ll look for something on my desktop, and then Instagram will show me relevant ads on my phone. This is partially why I won’t use a 3rd party commenting that allows for readers to comment using their Facebook identities, and why any Facebook reference is a hard-coded link and not a “like us” script like I experimented with a while back.
Andy Ringsmuth
Old toothbrushes!
I always keep some old toothbrushes on my work bench and in my tool box. They work great for cleaning, greasing, etc., much like these mascara brushes.
Stuart
Yes, but there are also good quality brushes designed for that, a bit stiffer than toothbrushes too – https://toolguyd.com/otis-brushes-are-great-for-cleaning-parts/ I ordered another 10-pack yesterday for $8. You can’t beat free, but sometimes worn toothbrushes are in short supply or too soft.
David Zeller
You wondered what Amazon will recommend now that you have bought mascara brushes.
It goes the other way, too. If a bunch of us buy them, then the other people buying them will get: “People who bought this also bought:” recommendations.
Hey lady, want a hammer drill with that? How about a generator? Hernia support?
The Baker
I discovered lip brush applicators when I went to raid my wife’s makeup drawer for mascara brushes. Seems like they would be useful where cotton swabs can leave behind fibers. Look up lip brushes on Amazon.
One downside …. no sparkly pink options.
Nate B
Years ago when I went looking for pump-top dispenser bottles, I ended up at the nail salon supply store. “PROFESSIONALS ONLY”, said the sign on the door.
Welp, I have a job, so in I walked.
Not only did they have multiple styles of said bottles, the whole store was full of good stuff! Dremel sanding bands in huge bulk bags, far cheaper than the home improvement store. Polyethylene wash bottles pre-labeled for alcohol, acetone, and water. Ten-compartment organizers with two larger compartments, perfect for storing value-series components where you have more of common values.
And of course, an enormous display case of diagonal cutters of every imaginable grind and angle. Referred to as “nail clippers”, but c’mon.
Did I mention the UV adhesive curing lamp?
There’s good stuff all over, just keep an open mind and you’ll find useful tools everywhere.
Stuart
I just ordered some wood soldering tools that are also sold as cuticle pushers!
fred
AKA orangewood sticks
It is also interesting how prices may vary according to where you source things from. Buy a Menda dispenser bottle at a medical supply house and the price will likely be more than at a beauty supply house.
Nate B
Haha, those showed up in my old Spudgers post on TM! I’m still working through the 100-count bag I bought back then, too…
JoeM
Boy did I ever get my eyes opened growing up!
We often forget that Humans, just by nature, are Tool Users. Some are better at it than others, but… I’ve walked into some truly weird places and found EXACTLY the tool I needed for something I was making… And it just wasn’t sold at a “Tool Store” of any sort… it was some sort of specialty thing, off in some remote place, for a specific industry we totally ignore.
Now… I often find myself ACTUALLY Sewing things, I can use a Sewing Machine, and I know how to make at least a dozen types of hand stitches… but NEVER did I think I’d find parts for various Carpentry or Non-Sewing projects in a SEWING MACHINE STORE… There’s a ton of small parts involved in the foot of a sewing machine, and the little bobbin inside that feeds thread from the bottom, that instantly become various gearing or triggering devices when you simply install them on a project that needs to make an action when you touch something. The arm on a bobbin can be used like a switch, or like a kind of single-toothed gear at the end of a rotating motor. The FOOT of a Sewing Machine can be used to augment a CLAMP with such ease it’s ridiculous!
It’s well said to say “Keep an Open Mind” with these things. You just never know when some other industry came up with a total solution for your problem decades, and sometimes even more than a CENTURY before you had your problem in the first place. “I need it to do this… Where can I get X and Y to make something that does that?” “You just described one of these… Makeup Artists, Sculptors, and Dollhouse makers use them to mimic this other tool you have in your toolbox, for totally different reasons than you need it.” “…I need a hundred of them… Like… yesterday…” “Here’s where they’re sold!”
Greg
Wow, one little random suggestion, who knew? lol
Stuart
Well, it was a very good one!