Abstract:
A method of using a device for washing and rinsing brushes includes providing the device, washing a brush head along a plurality of first texturing features distributed over a first surface region of the device, and rinsing the brush head along a plurality of second texturing features extending along a second surface region of the device. The first texturing features provide a directionally neutral first texture adapted for movement of the brush head substantially equally in all directions along the first surface region, and the second texturing features provide a directionally oriented second texture adapted for movement of the brush head in a predetermined direction along the second surface region.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The application is a continuation of U.S. patent application No. 13/540,090, entitled “Textured Device for Cleaning Cosmetic Brushes,” filed Jul. 2, 2012 and issued Apr. 28, 2015 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,015,895. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to cleaning implements supported by hand, and more particularly to specially textured cleaning devices shaped like a mitten or glove to be worn on the hand when used. 
     Over the years, devices intended for a variety of uses have been formed in the shape of a glove or mitten. This allows the devices to be worn on the hand, eliminating the need to grip, balance or otherwise consciously support them, permitting the user to direct more attention to the task at hand. A device worn by hand can be specially textured over areas that correspond to a selected part of the hand particularly well suited to the purpose of the device, e.g. the palm or fingers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,823,245 (Firouzman), U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,837 (Andreu), and published U.S. patent application (Publication No. 2010/0218326 to Yamaguchi) disclose cleaning gloves with surfaces including abrasive material for scouring, along with sponge or other water absorbent material. Another published application (Publication No. 2007/0277288 to Sing) discloses a cleaning glove with a palm patch of cleaning material that can include bristles, wire, a roughened polymer or sandpaper. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,707,654 (Spence) discloses a massage glove including a latex body and pads formed with resilient members and beads. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,170 (Simic) discloses a protective hand covering in the shape of a mitten with nodules extending from both the exterior surface and the interior surface of the mitten. The inner and outer nodules are offset from one another, which is said to more effectively protect the hand against extreme temperatures when the mitten is used to grip hot or cold objects. U.S. Design Pat. No. D526,096 (Kaposi) illustrates a silicone glove with rounded nodules formed over the front and back exterior surfaces of a mitten shaped body. 
     Thus, glove-shaped and mitten-shaped devices, worn by hand, can have specialized surface textures to enhance a variety of functions performed by hand, and to afford protection to the user&#39;s hand when necessary or desired. 
     Users of cosmetic brushes are advised to clean their brushes frequently, both to enhance subsequent applications of makeup and extend the useful lives of the brushes. Frequent and proper cleaning avoids the accumulation of old makeup, skin oils and bacteria. These accumulations can undesirably affect the color of later applied makeup due to oxidation or binding with skin oils, and they may lead to skin problems or eye infections. 
     Cosmetic brushes frequently are cleaned by hand, applying a mixture of water and mild soap or shampoo to the bristles as the bristles are worked against the palm of the hand to expose as much bristle surface area as possible to the liquid mixture. This is followed by rinsing, typically working the bristles with the fingers while holding the bristles under running water. Typically, several repetitions of the washing and rinsing steps are necessary before clear water at the rinsing stage indicates sufficient cleaning. 
     Efforts to improve upon the results afforded by hand washing have led to products with textured surfaces intended to enhance wiping action along the bristles as a cosmetic brush is washed. For example, a product marketed as the Wildflower Makeup Brush Scrub Tub features a tub with a lid that contains an embossed wildflower grid. The grid is said to remove the cakey, waxy substances left by cosmetics when the wet, soaped brush is moved in circular fashion or back and forth against the grid. Similarly, a product known as the Parian Brush Cleaning Refill Jar is provided with a plastic sifter in the form of a rectangular grid to help clean brushes. 
     Although these products enhance brush cleaning through improved wiping action against the bristles, they must be held or gripped by hand, or maintained by hand against a flat surface, while the user manipulates the brush relative to the textured surface of the grid. These products feature a single grid with a single texture. There is no tailoring of the texture to suit larger brushes as opposed to smaller brushes, or to individually address the disparate needs of the washing stage and the rinsing stages. These products, whether considered alone or in combination with hand washing and rinsing, fail to address the need to remove excess moisture following cleaning. 
     Accordingly the present invention has several aspects, each directed to one or more of the following objects:
         to provide a cosmetic brush cleaning device with a variety of surface textures tailored for washing and rinsing both larger and smaller brushes;   to provide a cosmetic brush cleaning device usable in a manner that replicates natural movement and placement of the user&#39;s hands when a cosmetic brush is washed directly by hand;   to provide a cosmetic brush cleaning device that does not require the user&#39;s attention in terms of gripping the device or maintaining the device against a tabletop or other support surface during use; and   to provide a cosmetic brush cleaning device that provides for post rinsing removal of residue and excess moisture from the bristles.       

     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To achieve these and other objects, there is provided a device for washing and rinsing cosmetic brushes. The device includes a flexible, generally mitten-shaped enclosure comprising first and second opposed layers. The layers are joined along a periphery of the enclosure to define a proximal opening and an interior space to accommodate a user&#39;s hand when inserted into the enclosure through the proximal opening. An exterior surface of the enclosure comprises a first exterior surface of the first layer and a second exterior surface of the second layer. The enclosure comprises a proximal section adjacent the proximal opening, a distal section spaced apart longitudinally from the proximal section, a medial section between the proximal and distal sections, and an offset section extended generally laterally from the medial section. The proximal section, the distal section, the medial section and the offset section are disposed in surrounding relation respectively to the wrist, the fingers, the palm and back of the hand, and the thumb when the hand is so inserted. A plurality of first texturing features are formed along a first surface region of the first exterior surface to provide a directionally neutral first texture to accommodate movement of a brush head substantially equally in all directions along the first exterior surface. A plurality of second texturing features are formed along a second surface region of the first exterior surface to provide a directionally oriented second texture adapted for movement of a brush head in a first predetermined direction along the first exterior surface. 
     The first texture, being directionally neutral or balanced, accommodates a circular or swirling motion of a brush head over the first surface region. Accordingly, this texture is particularly well suited to the washing stage, where the user is attempting to work a liquid cleaning solution into the bristles and expose as much bristle surface area as possible to contact with the solution. 
     In contrast, the second texture is directionally oriented, e.g. comprised of parallel elongate ridges or other features that promote movement of the brush head back and forth in a predetermined direction. The back and forth motion corresponds to the rinsing stage, where wiping action over a maximum bristle surface area remains important, yet the need for preliminary shaping of the brush head also is taken into account. 
     Preferably, the first layer overlies the palmar side of the hand when the device is worn, with the first texturing features formed along the medial section and the second texturing features is formed along the distal section of the enclosure. This locates the first texture over the palm. The palm is naturally preferred by the user when pushing and moving the brush head against the hand during the washing stage. The second texture is positioned along the fingers, corresponding to the user&#39;s natural tendency to work the brush head with the fingers when rinsing the brush head under running water. 
     In a preferred version of the device, texturing features are formed over the second layer to provide third and fourth textures overlying the dorsal side of the hand. The third and fourth textures are advantageously configured for washing and rinsing cosmetic brushes. More particularly, the first and second textures can be configured for larger brushes while the third and fourth textures are configured for smaller brushes. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is a device for cleaning and removing excess moisture from cosmetic brushes. The device includes a flexible enclosure comprising first and second opposed layers. The layers are joined along a periphery of the enclosure to define a proximal opening and an interior space to accommodate a user&#39;s hand when inserted into the enclosure through the proximal opening. An exterior surface of the enclosure comprises a first exterior surface of the first layer and a second exterior surface of the second layer. The enclosure comprises a proximal section adjacent the proximal opening, a distal section spaced apart longitudinally from the proximal section to accommodate the fingers, a medial section between the proximal and distal sections, and a thumb section offset laterally from the medial section to accommodate the thumb. A first textured surface arrangement is formed along the first exterior surface to facilitate a washing and rinsing of a cosmetic brush head by selective movement of the brush along the first textured surface arrangement. A substantially smooth surface region is formed along adjacent portions of the first and second layers to provide first and second confronting surfaces along the thumb section, and an index-finger side of the medial and distal sections. These surfaces facilitate use of the thumb and the index finger to compress a brush head between the first and second confronting surfaces when the hand is so inserted. 
     The first and second confronting surfaces are advantageously formed as first and second elongate regions of a continuous smooth surface. The device, particularly along the adjacent portions of the first and second layers, can be provided with increased thickness so that the confronting surfaces are raised relative to adjacent portions of the first and second exterior surfaces. 
     A further aspect of the invention is a device for washing and rinsing cosmetic brushes of different types and sizes. The device includes a flexible enclosure having first and second opposed layers. The layers cooperate to define an interior space between the layers to accommodate a user&#39;s hand when inserted into the enclosure through an opening at a proximal end of the enclosure. An exterior surface of the enclosure comprises first and second frontal surface regions of the first layer and first and second back surface regions of the second layer. A plurality of first texturing features are substantially evenly distributed over the first frontal surface region to provide a directionally neutral first texture to accommodate movement of a brush head substantially equally in all directions along the first frontal surface region for washing cosmetic brushes. A plurality of elongate second texturing features extend along the second frontal surface region in substantially parallel fashion. These features are substantially uniformly spaced apart to provide a directionally oriented second texture for movement of a brush head in a predetermined direction along the second frontal surface region for rinsing cosmetic brushes. A plurality of elongate third texturing features extend over the first back surface region and are oriented in different directions to provide a directionally neutral third texture for washing cosmetic brushes. A plurality of elongate fourth texturing features extend along the second back surface region in substantially parallel fashion and are substantially uniformly spaced apart, to provide a directionally oriented fourth texture for rinsing cosmetic brushes. 
     In one preferred version of the device, the first texturing features comprise rounded nodules. Each nodule has a radius, taken at the first frontal surface region, at least as great as a nodule height taken in a direction away from the first frontal surface region. In addition, each of the second, third, and fourth texturing features has a width (taken at its associated one of the second frontal surface region, first back surface region and second back surface region) at least as great as its height in the direction away from its associated surface region. The relationship of feature radius or width to feature height results in stable features that produce effective wiping action against the bristles as the brush head is moved across the associated surface region. 
     In further preferred versions of the device, fifth texturing features can be formed over a third frontal surface region of the first layer, and a third back surface region of the second layer. The fifth texturing features can comprise substantially uniformly arranged bristles, each elongate in a height direction and having a height greater than the diameter taken at its associated surface region. The bristles are laterally spaced apart adjacent bristle by a distance less than the diameter. 
     The structure of the bristles and their density cooperate to allow substantial penetration into the bristles of the brush head, along with effective wiping action along the bristles of the brush to remove any residue remaining after the washing and rinsing steps. The bristles are effective in cleaning residues that are difficult to remove in the washing and rinsing stages, such as liquid foundation and gel eyeliner typically applied with large and small synthetic brushes, respectively. 
     The preferred version of the enclosure comprises a primary section to accommodate the fingers, and a thumb section along one side of the primary section to accommodate the thumb. The exterior surface advantageously comprises a smooth texture disposed along adjacent portions of the first and second layers to provide smooth confronting surfaces of the thumb section and an index finger side of the primary section. This facilitates use of the thumb and the index finger to compress a brush head between the confronting surfaces. 
     When provided with texturing features for washing and rinsing along the frontal surface regions and the back surface regions, with bristles along the frontal and back surfaces, and with smooth confronting surfaces along the primary section and thumb section, the device can be used in a four-stage process for thoroughly cleaning and removing excess moisture from the larger cosmetic brushes used to apply facial makeup, and the smaller cosmetic brushes used to apply eye makeup. Nodules and ridges along the frontal and back surfaces form textures that enhance both washing and rinsing of the brush head. The bristles effectively penetrate and wipe the brush head for removal of residue remaining after washing and rinsing. Finally, the confronting surfaces when compressing the brush head effectively remove excess moisture for substantially reduced brush drying times. 
     Selective shaping and arranging of the texturing features allows the device to support different washing and rinsing regions tailored to suit both larger brushes and smaller brushes, respectively. With the device worn on the hand like a mitten or glove, it does not require any attention for gripping, balancing, or otherwise maintaining the device. The user&#39;s attention can be devoted entirely to manipulating the brush head against the selected texture. Further, the textured areas can be selectively positioned on the device such that the user replicates natural hand movement and placement when a cosmetic brush is washed and rinsed directly by hand. 
     Thus in accordance with the present invention, a brush cleaning device conveniently supported by hand affords more effective washing and rinsing of cosmetic brushes, and provides for effective post-rinse removal of residue and excess moisture. 
    
    
     
       IN THE DRAWINGS 
       For a further understanding of the above and other features and advantages, reference is made to the following detailed description and to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a frontal elevation of a device for cleaning cosmetic brushes, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear elevation of the device; 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation of a cosmetic brush typically used in facial applications; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation of a cosmetic brush typically used to apply eye makeup; 
         FIG. 5  schematically illustrates a brush washing texture formed along a frontal exterior surface of the device; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic frontal view of the device with broken lines indicating several different functional sections of the device; 
         FIGS. 7-8  schematically illustrate rinsing and post-rinse textures formed along the frontal exterior surface of the device; 
         FIGS. 9-10  schematically illustrate washing and rinsing textures formed along a rear exterior surface of the device; 
         FIG. 11  is a frontal elevation of an alternative embodiment cosmetic brush cleaning device; and 
         FIG. 12  is a rear elevation of the device shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now to the drawings, there is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  a device  16  for cleaning cosmetic brushes. The device is intended to be worn on the hand during use, and to that end is formed as a mitten-shaped enclosure. A main body section  18  of the device accommodates the palm and fingers (other than the thumb) and a thumb section  20  offset from the main body section accommodates the thumb. Device  16  preferably is formed of silicone rubber or another suitable elastomer to provide a favorable combination of structural integrity and flexibility, while being nonreactive and water impermeable. Another suitable material is latex. 
     Device  16  is homogeneous and formed as a single piece. However, in functional terms it can be considered to consist of two complementary opposed layers or panels: a frontal panel  22  and a rear panel  24 . Panels  22  and  24  are joined along the periphery of device  16 , except along a proximal end  26  where an opening accommodates insertion of the hand into the enclosure interior. 
     Device  16  can be worn on either hand, although it is designed primarily for the left hand. More particularly, frontal panel  22  is a palmar layer overlying the palm and fingers of the left hand, while rear panel  24  overlies the back of the hand and fingers. 
     The exterior surface of device  16  is formed with a variety of textures for cleaning different sizes of cosmetic brushes, more particularly larger brushes such as a brush  28  shown in  FIG. 3  designed to apply blush and other cosmetics to the face, and smaller brushes such as a brush  30  shown in  FIG. 4  used to apply eye makeup. With reference to  FIG. 3 , facial brush  28  includes an elongate handle  32  having a proximal end region  34  and a distal end region  36 , multiple natural or synthetic bristles arranged in a bundle or head  38 , and a ferrule  40  surrounding the handle and the proximal ends of the bristles. The ferrule compacts the bristles, and supports head  38  with respect to the handle. Head  38  is flared in the sense that the more centrally located bristles extend in the lengthwise direction of the handle, and the more peripheral bristles are slightly outwardly inclined while still extending generally lengthwise. The head has a circular profile in planes perpendicular to the length of the brush. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates brush  30  with an elongate handle  42  having a proximal end region  44  and a distal region  46 , multiple natural or synthetic bristles arranged in a head  48  and a ferrule  50  compacting and supporting the bristles with respect to the handle. Again, the bristles extend at least generally in the longitudinal direction. Head  48 , in contrast to head  38  of brush  28 , frequently is flattened to have a linear, elliptical or other noncircular profile in planes perpendicular to the length of the brush. 
     The exterior surface of device  16  is formed with textures tailored to cleaning brushes  28  and  30 . More particularly, the exterior surface of frontal layer panel  22  includes a textured surface region  52  for washing brush  28 , a textured surface region  54  for rinsing, and a textured surface region  56  for a refining, i.e. a post-rinse removal of any residue remaining after rinsing. Similarly, the exterior surface of rear panel  24  includes a textured surface region  58  for washing brush  30 , a textured surface region  60  for rinsing, and a textured surface region  62  for post-rinse residue removal. 
     In addition, a smooth surface region  64  is formed along adjacent portions of panels  22  and  24 , extending along an index-finger side of main body section  18  and along thumb section  20 . The portions of smooth surface region  64  along the main body section and thumb section confront one another. Preferably, panels  22  and  24  have an increased thickness over region  64 . 
     Preferably, device  16  is formed by injection molding of the silicone or other elastomer to integrally form the textured surface regions via the molding process. 
     As noted above, the textured regions are tailored to cosmetic brushes of different sizes, with the textured regions on the frontal panel suited to facial brushes and the rear panel textures suited to smaller brushes used to apply eye makeup. In addition, the textured regions of each panel are individually tailored to the stages of cosmetic brush cleaning: washing, rinsing, and post-rinsing residue removal. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the texture of surface region  52  is formed by multiple rounded nodules of two sizes: larger nodules  66  and smaller nodules  68 . Nodules  66  and  68  are intermingled, and each of the nodule sizes is evenly distributed over surface region  52 . 
     The nodules of each size are segmented spherical in shape, defined by a segment that encompasses at most a hemispherical shape and always encompasses an outer surface of the sphere to provide rounded crown shape. In one version of device  16 , larger nodules  66  extend away from a nominal surface or base  70  of the panel exterior surface, have a diameter of 8 mm (i.e. 4 mm radius) at the base, and a height of 2.5 mm in a height direction away from and normal to the base. Smaller nodules  68  have a 1 mm radius and a 1 mm height. The distribution of nodules  66  is dense such that adjacent nodules  66  are spaced apart by a distance less than their diameter. The number of small nodules formed over surface region  52  is substantially the same as the number of large nodules. The nodules are arranged in a symmetrical pattern, with each large nodule surrounded by four smaller nodules, and each smaller nodule similarly surrounded symmetrically by four of the larger nodules. As a result, the texture of surface region  52  is directionally balanced or directionally neutral, in the sense that the texture provides the same resistance to movement of a cosmetic brush head over surface region  52 , regardless of the direction of brush movement along the surface. 
     The size, shape, density, and distribution of nodules  66  and  68  provide a highly favorable texture for washing brush  28  and other larger cosmetic brushes. The purpose of the washing stage is to penetrate brush head  48  with the cleaning solution, e.g. water combined with soap or shampoo, to separate adjacent bristles and expose as much bristle surface area as possible to the solution. This entails broad, vigorous circular motion and rotation of head  48  against surface region  52 , while applying intense pressure to the head. The absence of an orientation, i.e. the directional neutrality of the texture, facilitates the desired circular motion and rotation. The shape of nodules  66  and  68  results in a stable texture and minimizes the potential for damage to the bristles during the washing stage. The intermingling of nodules  66  and  68  increases the area of contact with the bristles and improves the wiping action, resulting in more efficient removal of makeup from the bristles. 
     A salient feature of the present invention is the location of the textures on device  16  in a manner that encourages an individual to replicate hand movements and positioning that occur naturally when cleaning a brush directly by hand. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , with main body section  18  disposed on a longitudinal axis  72 , device  16  includes a proximal section  74  that surrounds the wrist of a user wearing the device. A distal section  76 , spaced apart longitudinally from the proximal section, surrounds the fingers other than the thumb. A medial section  78  between the proximal and distal sections is disposed about the palm and back of the hand. Finally, thumb section  20  is laterally offset from medial section  78 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , surface region  52  corresponds substantially to that portion of medial section  78  provided by frontal panel  22 . As the user presses brush head  38  against surface region  52  while moving the brush head typically in circular fashion, the surface region is backed and supported by the palm of the hand. The hand not holding the brush is positioned as if the user was cleaning the brush directly by hand. Thus, the user of the device obtains the benefits afforded by textured surface region  52  without the need for new or unusual hand positions or movements. 
     The texture of surface region  54  is formed by elongate transversely extending ridges or bars  80  and  82 . In one version of device  16 , ridges  80  are slightly over 40 mm in length and 3.25 mm wide at base  70 , and have a height of 1.25 mm. Ridges  82  extend along the complete transverse width of surface region  54 , with a longitudinal width of 1 mm and a height of 1 mm. Ridges  80  and  82  are intermingled or alternating, to distribute each type of ridge evenly over the surface region. 
     The parallel ridges form a texture particularly well suited for the rinsing stage. The movement and applied pressure of brush head  38  against the surface are not as vigorous as required in the washing stage. Nonetheless, the need remains for maximum surface contact with and good wiping action against the bristles. Also, a back and forth movement of the brush head is preferred (lieu of the circular motion) at the rinsing stage. The reciprocal motion provides sufficient surface contact and wiping action while being less disruptive to the shape of the bristles. 
     In each of ridges  80  and  82 , the ridge width preferably is equal to or greater than the ridge height. Further, the ridges are preferably rounded, at least over the crown or surface of each ridge remote from base  70  of the frontal exterior surface. This provides for a stable texture and minimizes the potential for damage to the bristles. Further, as brush head  38  is moved longitudinally over the ridges, the alternating size arrangement improves surface contact and wiping action, to more efficiently remove makeup residue and soap from the bristles. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , surface region  54  corresponds to distal section  76 , placing the rinse texture over the fingers when device  16  is worn by hand. This corresponds to the natural tendency to use the fingers when a brush is rinsed directly by hand under running water. The fingers back and support frontal panel  22  as the brush head is moved back and forth over the ridges. 
     Textured surface region  56  is formed with multiple bristles  84  of uniform size, uniformly and densely distributed throughout the surface region. In one version of device  16 , the bristles have a diameter of 0.9 mm and a height in the direction away from base  70  of 2 mm. Adjacent bristles  84  are spaced apart by a distance of 0.6 mm to provide a high bristle density. The bristles are arranged with no selected orientation, i.e. directionally balanced or neutral. As seen in  FIG. 1 , surface region  56  extends along frontal panel  22  adjacent the wrist, and upwardly along thumb section  20 . 
     The shape and density of bristles  84  provide a texture suited to removing any makeup or soap residue remaining after brush head  38  has been washed and rinsed. The need for textured surface region  56  can arise for example when liquid foundation is applied, particularly when brush head  38  is formed of synthetic bristles. Liquid foundation stains are difficult to remove from synthetic brushes, and usually are not eliminated after the washing and rinsing steps. The high density and shape of bristles  84  provide improved penetration into brush head  38  as the head is moved over the surface region, typically in back and forth fashion. The density of bristles  84  also provides greater friction for improved wiping action against the bristles of the brush head, resulting in a complete cleaning of the bristles. 
     After the stages of washing, rinsing, and post-rinse removal or refining, device  16  can be used to remove excess moisture from brush head  38  to substantially reduce the time required for drying the bristles. Moisture removal is accomplished by placing brush  28  between thumb section  20  and the index finger side of main body section  18 , thus to position brush head  38  between confronting portions of surface region  64 , particularly the base of head  38  adjacent ferrule  40 . Then, with the thumb moved toward the index finger to compress surface region  64  about brush head  38 , device  16  is moved relative to the brush in the direction toward the free ends of the bristles. This tends to shape brush head  38  as it removes excess moisture. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 9 , the texture of surface region  58  is formed with multiple, somewhat elongate ridges or bars  86 . Ridges  86  are uniform in size and shape, but are oriented in two different directions perpendicular to each other, as indicated at  86   a  and  86   b . In one version of device  16 , ridges  86  are 5.5 mm long, 2.5 mm wide at a base  88  of the exterior surface of panel  24 , and have a height of 1.25 mm in the direction away from the base. 
     The washing of brush head  48  is similar to the washing of brush head  38  in that strong pressure is applied to the brush head as it is moved along the textured surface region, and further in that movement of the brush head is preferably broadly circular and rotational. At the same time, brush head  48  is distinguished from brush head  38  by its smaller size and the fact that the smaller brush heads frequently are flat rather than round in transverse profile. Ridges  86 , due to their width, length, and height have been found to be more efficient for washing the smaller brush heads. The desired circular and rotational motions are facilitated by the directionally balanced arrangement of ridges  86 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 10 , the texture of surface region  60  is formed with parallel ridges  90  that extend generally transversely yet are undulating or somewhat sinusoidal. The arrangement of the ridges is directional, to facilitate a back and forth movement of brush head  48  in the longitudinal direction over surface region  60 . Brush head  48 , like brush head  38  is preferably moved in back and forth or reciprocal fashion for rinsing. 
     The undulating or wavy ridges have been found to be more efficient than linear ridges for removal of makeup residue and soap from smaller brushes. In particular, eye brushes as compared to facial brushes are used to apply more intensely pigmented products, e.g. eye shadows, eye shadow bases, and eye liners. The undulating nature of ridges  90  has been found to better remove the residues of these products after the washing step. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the placement of textured surface region  58  on rear panel  24  corresponds to the placement of surface region  52  on frontal panel  22 , in that both correspond to medial region  78 . Similarly, textured surface region  60 , like textured surface region  54 , corresponds to distal region  76  of the device. Accordingly, when device  16  is worn on the left hand, surface region  58  overlies the back of a hand and surface region  60  overlies the dorsal side of the fingers. 
     The texture of surface region  62  is formed by multiple bristles  92 , substantially identical in size and shape to bristles  84  and having substantially the same density. Accordingly, the texture of surface region  62  is substantially identical to the texture of surface region  56 . Like surface region  56 , surface region  62  extends along proximal section  74  overlying the wrist, then upwardly along thumb section  20 . 
     For increased user comfort, device  16  can include a liner  93  ( FIG. 6 ). The liner is formed in the shape of a mitten, to be worn by hand and disposed between the hand and the mitten-shaped enclosure when the device is in use. The liner preferably is made of cotton or another water absorbent material. 
     Device  16  fits either hand, but is designed primarily for wearing on the left hand while the brush being cleaned is held in the right hand to effect the desired movement of the brush head along a given surface region. 
     For large brushes, the washing stage typically involves applying a liquid cleaning solution to surface region  52  with the palm facing upward, then manipulating the brush head against that surface region to maximize contact of the bristles with the cleaning solution. In the rinsing stage, surface region  54  is placed under a faucet or other source of running water while the brush is manipulated with the right hand to move the brush head longitudinally back and forth over ridges  80  and  82 . 
     In the post-rinsing stage, the brush head is moved in either circular or reciprocal fashion for the desired wiping action of the surface texture bristles against the bristles of the brush. Finally, the brush head is drawn between opposing portions of surface region  64  while the thumb and index finger cooperate to compress the brush head, thus to remove excess moisture. 
     The procedure for cleaning smaller brushes is substantially similar, depending on the hand used to support device  16 . 
     It is believed that most users will prefer to keep device  16  on the left hand when cleaning a smaller brush. Thus, in the washing stage the cleaning solution is applied to back panel  24  overlying the back of the hand, rather than to the frontal panel overlying the palm. During the rinsing stage, the brush head is moved along ridges that overly the dorsal side rather than the palmar side of the fingers. In the post-rinsing stage, the user may select either surface region  56  or surface region  62 , thus to support the bristles with the palm of the hand or back of the hand, as desired. Finally, the moisture removal stage for the small brush is identical to that for the large brush. 
     As an alternative, the user may switch device  16  to the right hand for cleaning smaller brushes, in which case surface regions  58  and  60  overlie and are supported by the palm and palmar side of the fingers, respectively. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate an alternative embodiment brush cleaning device  94  including a main body section  96  to accommodate the palm and fingers and a thumb section  98 . A frontal panel  100  ( FIG. 11 ) incorporates a textured surface region  102  for washing brush  28 , a region  104  for rinsing, and a region  106  for post-rinsing residue removal. The exterior surface of a rear panel  108  ( FIG. 12 ) includes a textured surface region  110  for washing brush  30 , a textured region  112  for rinsing, and a textured region  114  for post-rinsing residue removal. Device  94  further incorporates a smooth surface region  116  similar to region  64  of device  16 . 
     Device  94  differs from device  16  in that the washing regions, surface regions  102  and  110 , are placed along the distal region of the device. Accordingly, these surface regions are supported by the fingers, either along the palmar or dorsal side. Rinsing surface regions  104  and  112  are supported by the palm and the back of the hand, respectively. 
     The brush washing and rinsing textures, while located over the fingers rather than the palm and back of the hand (and vise versa), are substantially the same. The post-rinsing surface regions likewise are substantially identical. Accordingly, device  94  is used in much the same manner as described above for device  16 . Device  94  is a suitable alternative to device  16 , particularly for users inclined toward more active use of the fingers in the washing stage. Nonetheless, device  16  is likely to be favored by most users, due to its preferred placement of the washing textures. 
     Either of devices  16  and  94  may be modified to incorporate modified textured surface regions (not shown). For example, the surface region corresponding to rinsing large brushes may incorporate transversely extending ridges of only one size. The surface region for rinsing smaller brushes may be formed with pluralities of short, spaced apart transversely extending ridges in lieu of single ridges extending across the complete width of the surface region. The shorter ridges may incorporate curvature in correspondence to the undulating longer ridges. Further in alternative versions of the device, the sizes and shapes of the texturing regions can be varied, e.g. to provide a larger post-rinsing textured surface region or purely for aesthetics. 
     Thus in accordance with the present invention, a cosmetic brush cleaning device is provided with a variety of surface textures specifically tailored to cleaning larger and smaller brushes, and further specifically tailored to washing, rinsing, and post-rinsing stages of brush cleaning. Because the device fits over the hand like a mitten, the user can support the device without gripping, balancing or otherwise attending to the device during use. Finally, the device facilitates a placement of textures corresponding to different cleaning stages, such that hand placement and movement during use replicates placement and movement of the hand when a brush is cleaned directly by hand.