I’ll get straight to the point. I purchased these mesh sleeves to protect my paint brushes. They are marketed as makeup brush protectors, but… a brush is a brush. They appear diminutive but stretch to accommodate a range of sizes and shapes.
To use, insert the end of the brush handle into the sleeve, and guide it up and over the bristles. If covering a quill or similar brush, pinch the mesh and lift it over any wires to avoid snagging.
The sleeves have a given minimum diameter, so they don’t hug the bristles of my smaller brushes, though they rest on the handles just fine without sliding around.
I have tried reusing the plastic protectors that new brushes are (usually) sold with, as well as clear vinyl tubing from the hardware store in various sizes, but both have limitations and do not work with flats.
Now, all is good with the mesh sleeves, and I store them in any bag or case without worry. I got mine from Amazon. A search for “mesh makeup brush protectors” will put you in the right direction.
Obligatory cat photo, featuring Marble and Puccini:
