Makeup brushes are often neglected when it comes to cleaning - did you know that you're supposed to do this at least once a week? You might be put off by the idea of rubbing and rinsing your brushes before leaving them out to dry, but there are some amazing products out there that make the process much more speedy and efficient!
From liquid solutions that you can spray directly onto your brushes to electric machines that both wash and dry your tools, makeup cleaners are available in all shapes and sizes from online sites like Amazon, and Boots. We know the choice can be overwhelming so we've narrowed down the search for you, with recommendations from popular brands like MAC, Clinique, and StylPro. Moreover, we have partnered with Makeup Artist Marie Dancer for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver you the best information.
Quick List - Top Makeup Brush Cleaners
As a professional make-up artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all her clients she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
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As a professional makeup artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK, working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all of her clients, she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
Find out more about Marie and what are her favourite makeup products are through her Instagram! She even shares some industry tips on makeup application too. And if you're interested in getting your makeup done by Marie, you can contact her via her email found at the top of her page.
The most common type of makeup brush cleaner is a liquid solution. Many professional makeup artists swear by this kind of product when it comes to achieving a really deep clean as it gets right into the bristles.
The number of different formulas on the market is endless, meaning that liquid solutions vary quite dramatically in terms of their consistency, fragrance, bottle size, and drying time, not to mention their effectiveness. That said, a decent liquid solution should remove all traces of makeup from your brushes and leave the bristles feeling conditioned.
Some liquid brush cleaners foam up and need to be washed through with warm water to remove the build-up. Other alcohol-based cleaners such as isopropyl alcohol require dipping into the solution and gently buffing it into a towel. This method dries extremely quickly and kills bacteria. It's important to use a foaming, anti-bacterial wash through cleaner for a deep clean and alcohol-based for a 'spot' or quick clean.
While you're here, check out our favourite blusher brushes!
Handheld scrubbers are highly recommended if you need a speedy solution. Designs can vary, but our favourite type is a flat, sponge-based product. When you notice your tools getting dirty, simply scrub the head of the brush against it. This helps to lift the dirt and remove any makeup residue left on the bristles.
While this kind of product doesn't provide as deep a clean as other styles, it does work as a quick fix if you need to use the same brush to apply different colours. It can also be handy if you're on the move and don't want the mess of a liquid cleaner.
These bronzer brushes will give you perfect, sculpted cheek bones.
While they're still relatively new to the scene, automatic makeup brush cleaners are popular because they do all the work for you. To use one, simply attach your brush to the handle and place it bristles-first into the small, fishbowl-style basin. Then, flick the switch and watch the magic happen!
Taking just 30 seconds, these tiny devices act like mini washing machines, whirling water and cleanser around the bowl in order to effectively remove residue and grime. They also run a quick spin cycle which dries the bristles immediately, meaning you can use the brush again straight away.
The only downside to these mechanical cleaning products is that they do require batteries, so make sure you've always got a spare pack on hand or you might not get to use it. Another thing is that these machines require periodic cleaning themselves, which still poses a hassle for some.
Are you in search of a whole new set of makeup brushes to add to your collection? We have just the suggestions!
People with sensitive skin or those who are prone to allergic reactions should opt for a product with a hypoallergenic formula. This won't contain any added perfumes or harsh chemicals that might be transferred onto your face. If you're unsure whether a product will irritate your skin, check out the specification tables before you buy and make sure to do a patch test before using it on your brushes.
It's also important that the brush cleaner is strong enough to do its job but won't irritate you when you next use your brushes. If using a liquid cleaner, make sure all the product is removed under warm, clean running water.
Some soaps will break down the oils to remove the make-up build-up, but it's important that the bacteria is killed using 60% alcohol or a specific 'anti-bacterial' cleaner. Some brush cleaners have conditioning ingredients such as vitamins, so they don't dry out the hairs for natural and synthetic brushes.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | EcoTools Makeup Brush Shampoo | ![]() | A Long-Lasting, Eco-Friendly Liquid That Ticks Every Box | |
2 | MAC Brush Cleanser | ![]() | The Cult Cleaning Product From Beauty Legends MAC | |
3 | StylPro Makeup Brush Cleanser | ![]() | A Fragrance-Free Formula Suitable for Sensitive Skin | |
4 | Clinique Makeup Brush Cleanser | ![]() | MUA Recommended to Quickly to Tackle Dirt and Residue | |
5 | Sigma Beauty Sigmagic® Brushampoo Liquid | ![]() | A Mild Solution That'll Remove All Kinds of Grime | |
6 | StylPro Makeup Brush Cleaner and Dryer|Original | ![]() | A Best-Selling Machine That Washes Multiple Brushes in Seconds | |
7 | Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner | ![]() | Quick-Drying, Antimicrobial Cleaner Loved by Makeup Artists Worldwide | |
8 | Beauty Blender Blender Cleanser | ![]() | The Perfect Product for Sponge Blenders | |
9 | Real Techniques Deep Cleansing Gel | ![]() | An Instant, Mess-Free Solution | |
10 | MSQ Color Removal Sponge Makeup Brush Cleaning Box | ![]() | A Handy Tin That Provides a Quick Fix |
This eco-friendly liquid solution from sustainability gurus EcoTools is one of the most raved about products on the market. It cleans brushes thoroughly without drying them out or weakening the bristles - meaning they'll last much, much longer.
Only a tiny, raindrop-sized amount is needed to create a luxurious lather which effectively removes every trace of makeup and dirt. This formula is hypoallergenic, vegan, and free from phthalates and parabens. In addition, at less than a tenner, it's incredibly affordable. That's what makes it our top pick!
This brush cleanser from beauty legends MAC is, unsurprisingly, a bestseller online. It can be applied directly onto your brushes, or you can swirl your tools in it before wiping the excess off. As it comes in a huge bottle, you know it'll last for ages - even if you use it liberally!
The water-based solution dries almost immediately, allowing you to use your brushes without waiting. It also leaves the bristles nice and soft by conditioning as it cleans, protecting your brushes and prolonging their lifespan.
This cleanser solution from StylPro can be used on its own, or in conjunction with the StylPro automatic machine for a deeper clean. We love that you only need a tiny drop to clean an entire set of makeup brushes! Plus, this is an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin as there are no added fragrances.
This product conditions each bristle, leaving your favourite brushes feeling smooth without leaving behind any grease. It can get rid of everything, from eyeshadow powder and lipstick to thick foundation - stubborn stains come right off!
This pretty pink bottle from Clinique is another product that's rated highly by makeup artists, due to the luxurious formula. It works extremely quickly - simply spray the solution directly onto your brush and it'll cling to dirt and residue, which can all be wiped off effortlessly with a tissue.
It might be a little pricey, but this bottle is a considerable size and will easily last you months. Best of all, it's hypoallergenic, so you can rest assured that your skin will stay as soft as your freshly washed brushes!
This cleansing liquid from Sigma Beauty is gentle enough that it won't irritate your skin, but tough enough to remove all kinds of dirt and grime. It cleans brushes in minutes without leaving behind any oily residue that might affect makeup application.
With 100% natural virgin coconut and responsibly sourced palm oil, product buildup, oil, and bacteria are washed away, restoring your brushes to their former glory without the use of dangerous chemicals. This cleanser is also antibacterial, inhibiting bacterial growth for up to two weeks after usage.
Washing brushes doesn't take long, but what happens when you need to use them soon and they're still soaking wet? Get a StylPro electronic cleaner set! Yes, this is the magical machine that you've seen plastered all over Instagram - not only does it clean tools, but it dries them nicely too.
While this product does a thorough job, it unfortunately also needs cleaning itself every so often. Still, it's a time-saving device for budding beauty bloggers or people who use multiple brushes in their makeup routine!
Makeup artists all over the world highly recommend this cleaner, so we do too! As well as being quick-drying, it's antimicrobial - this means it cleans and disinfects at the same time, which is precisely what you need to get rid of those pesky germs.
Plus, unlike some products on our list, this cleaner doesn't leave an oily residue behind on the bristles. While this product is expensive, it's definitely worth the price as it lasts absolutely ages - you only need a tiny drop! Some might find the slightly overpowering vanilla fragrance off putting though.
If you prefer to apply your makeup with a beauty blender, rather than a brush, you need this product! One of the biggest downsides of sponges is how difficult they are to clean, but this soy-based product will get the job done in no time.
Designed to penetrate through the multiple layers of sponges, this liquid provides a deep clean that'll leave your blenders looking as good as new! It also has a lovely fragrance of coconut, sea salt, and lavender, which smells scrumptious but will sadly likely irritate sensitive skin.
Real Techniques is very popular with Amazon customers, thanks to its high-quality, affordable brushes. So it's no surprise that this brand produces brilliant brush cleaners too! This balm formula works effectively on all kinds of beauty tools.
This product includes a cleansing balm and a cleansing pad, allowing you to easily remove buildup and residue from your favourite brushes with a simple swirl, rinse, and go! Just remember to use warm water for the best results.
This handy little sponge in a pot is a great buy, especially if you're on the move or spending the weekend away and don't fancy packing a heavy bottle. The main selling point of this product is that there's no need to get your brushes wet at all, so you won't have to wait for them to dry before their next use!
We particularly recommend this product if you tend to use one brush for multiple colours. Rubbing the bristles into the sponge in a circular motion will allow you to quickly dust off any excess product. While it doesn't quite provide the deep clean of a liquid, it's worth picking up for when you don't have access to water.
If you're one of those people who only cleans their brushes when they accidentally fall on the floor, or you put it off until it's too much to bear, this section is for you. Regardless of how often you wear makeup, you should know one thing - you need to clean your brushes regularly, at least once a week.
Makeup brushes are hotbeds for bacteria and germs. Every time you glide those bristles across your face, they pick up dead skin cells, sweat, oil, and general dirt. The next time you use your unwashed brush, the germs will have multiplied and they'll end up all over your face - potentially causing breakouts, irritation, or clogged pores.
Skincare aside, cleaning your brushes is essential if you like to switch between multiple colours and products. A build-up of makeup on the bristles not only prevents a smooth application but it can cause colours to become mixed, so you might end up with a murky shade of eyeshadow on your lids rather than the one you want.
Written and researched by Roxy Pratley
No. 1: EcoTools|Makeup Brush Shampoo
No. 2: MAC|Brush Cleanser
No. 3: StylPro|Makeup Brush Cleanser
No. 4: Clinique|Makeup Brush Cleanser
No. 5: Sigma Beauty|Sigmagic® Brushampoo Liquid
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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