This season there are four shadows to crush the look of the new eye, and six blushings that I would like to try. But before you dive in, the best make-up brush cleanser is the one you need. Consistent cleansing of your makeup brushes can help you maintain the functionality and lifespan of your tool. Needless to say, a clean make-up brush is endlessly optimistic for your complexion (unless you like small bacteria in your blush, of course).
Also, while household items can work in a pinch, investing in one of the best cleansers specifically designed for make-up brushes and sponges will pay off in the long run. “You can use regular soap or dish detergent, but over time it can damage the quality of your brush,” says makeup artist Fiona Styles. “The conditioning ingredients in brush soap help keep your hair soft and healthy.” So do your brushes prefer: browse the list approved by the makeup artist below to find the right cleanser for your tool collection.
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FAQ
Overall the best: Movie Secret Makeup Brush Cleaner Pro Starter Set
Why it’s worth it: “This is the most popular brush cleaner among all kinds of beauty enthusiasts, from everyday makeup girlies to professional artists,” says makeup artist Camille Arian. Chop the reason she loves sacred cleanser, and point out that Arian can be used without water, quickly drying out and effectively removes hair from the most stubborn product residue. “I also love the fact that this product has travel sizes,” she says. Another supporter of ringing comes from makeup artist Kasey Spickard. “It’s not oily like many other liquid brush cleaners,” he says. “Died the brush into the solution, wipe it with a paper towel and repeat the process until the brush is clean.”
Cleanser has another makeup artist fan at Bridget Rice Andersen. “It smells very pleasant, and this is important to my client,” she says. (Not much, but these clients include Sigourney Weaver and Michelle Pfeiffer.)
Important Ingredients: Naphtha, Light Alkyl Acid, Isoparaffin Hydrogen Carbon
Flegley Free: No
Perfect for deep cleaning: BeautyBlender Solid Solid Unscented + Silicone Scrub Matt
Why it’s worth it: “This is the perfect soap cleaner for your brushes and sponge,” says Arian. “It also comes with a cleansing pad to make cleaning easier and efficient.” Spickard makes recommendations for seconds. “The BeautyBlender Solid Brush Cleaner is also the go-to for deep cleaning brushes,” he says. “This, unlike many other make-up brush cleaners, easily breaks down the foundation and concealer.”
Do you prefer to use pouring solutions? Cleansers are also available in liquid form.
Important Ingredients: Aloe, Coconut Oil, Sustainable Palm Oil
Flegley Free: Yes
Perfect for sensitive skin: Eco Tool Makeup Brush + Sponge Shampoo
Why it’s worth it: “If you’re looking for a greener cleanser for your brush, this liquid formula is your answer,” says Arian. “Fragrance-free, abuse-free, vegan, this is amazing to use if you have sensitive skin or are allergic to it.” Plant-based shampoos are designed to clean both your brushes and sponge, but are also tested by dermatologists and are hypoallergenic. Additionally, it is made without parabens, phthalates and sulfates, and can irritate skin types.
According to the brand, a little bit of formula is a big help. It is best to distribute small amounts of solutions at once.
Important Ingredients: Glucoside decyl, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Glycerin
Flegley Free: Yes
Perfect for fast drying times: Jenny Patinkin Spray Instant Makeup Brush Cleanser
Why it’s worth it: “It blends dense makeup brushes seamlessly, but it’s really hard to clean,” Stiles says. Spray with Jenny Patinkin Spray Instant Makeup Brush Cleanser. “This spray quickly removes all your makeup with almost instant drying time,” Stiles says. “It’s especially useful during the incredibly busy weeks that make-up artists face.”
This vegan cleanser also avoids any medicinal smell that is completely mild on your nose. “Unlike some of the more well-known makeup solvents, this does not have a strong, prolonged chemical fragrance,” notes Stiles.
Main ingredients: Glycerin, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, vanilla planfolia fruit extract
Flegley Free: No
Perfect for cleansing on the go: Mac Makeup Brush Cleanser
Why it’s worth it: Tommy, a New York-based make-up artist, relies on Mac’s makeup brush cleanser when he’s in the on-the-go mode. “I always need to put this in my kit and clean it up right away,” he tells Allure. So how easy is it to use this exactly? You can apply the cleanser straight to the brush and run the brush along the white towel until no makeup is left behind.
This formula, concentrated with wheat protein, strengthens when you clean the bristles of your brush.
Main ingredients: Sodium sulfate, Sodium sulfate, hydrolyzed wheat protein, hexylene glycol, no scent: no
Perfect for sponge: Sigma Sigmagic Brashampoo Liquid
Why it’s worth it: As an all-natural cleanser that cleans and conditiones your tool, Sigma Beauty’s Liquid Cleanser is especially suitable for fluffy brushes and sponges. Combined with coconut and palm oil, this formula not only helps to clean it, but also avoid future bacterial growth. Furthermore, the hypoallergenic formula is gentle on the hands.
This works best when paired with cleaning tools, such as the Sigma Beauty Express brush cleansing mat. To use cleanser and scrub mats in a tandem, apply some pumps of cleanser to a brush or sponge, and rinse with warm water by swirling the mat’s tools.
Main ingredients: Virgin coconut oil, palm oil, potassium hydroxide
Flegley Free: Yes
Perfect for brushes: Clinique Makeup Brush Cleanser
Why it’s worth it: Clinique’s Petal Pink Cleanser is designed to keep the brush in tip top shape, hydrolyzing wheat protein that strengthens the hair. To use it, spray both sides of the make-up brush once into the solution. Next, remove the tissue, wipe off any excess makeup residue, and allow the brush to air dry for just a few minutes.
Jenny Patinkin, a makeup artist and founder of the Beauty Tools brand, likes to extend the time between deep cleansing using spray cleansers. (When it’s a deep clean time, she usually uses solid soap.)
Important Ingredients: No scent of hydrolyzed wheat protein, hexylene glycol, sodium sulfate sulfate: Yes
FAQ
What is the best way to clean your makeup brushes and sponges?
Stiles recommends using soap cleaning agents and warm or warm water on your deep cleaning brush. “Swirl the brush into the soap bar and repeat until the soap doesn’t show any makeup,” she says. Alternatively, if you use a liquid SOAP solution, you can swirl the brush into the towel until the makeup stops appearing. “The next step is to squeeze out any excess water. This will help dry the brush faster and protect the adhesive that holds the ferul hair,” says Stiles. She adds that it is important to dry the brush flat to maintain the integrity of the brush. “Placing the tip of the brush on the edge of the counter increases airflow and helps the brush dry faster,” she says. As for drying times, Styles says that small brushes can dry within about 12 hours, while larger, fluffy brushes can take up to 24 hours to dry.
From a makeup sponge perspective, “These are prone to bacterial growth due to moist environments, so it’s important to regularly clean and disinfect them deeply,” Spickard says. After washing the sponge with hot water and soap, he massages and squeezes the sponge under the hot water until the liquid is clear. “It’s finished by spritzing the sponge with 70% isopropyl alcohol and disinfecting and killing the prolonged bacteria,” says Spickard. He air-dry the sponge with a clean bathroom towel or paper towel.
