Best Makeup Brush Cleansers- Shampoo, Gel, Solutions and Kits

Makeup is all fun and games until you have to clean those brushes, right? Just the way you take a shower and clean yourself, it is vital that you wash the brushes too as they are the breeding ground for bacteria and dirt. However, there’s a weird satisfaction seeing all those dirt and gunk wash away. A clean brush not only gives you mental peace, but it also saves you from several skin issues. Here comes the role of the best makeup brush cleansers and kits.

We are all guilty of skipping the regular cleanups at some point in our lives. Brushes are a staple in our makeup bag. Even when we switch our foundations or other beauty products, we usually stay loyal to our brushes. A clean brush makes the makeup application smooth and flawless, just like to you deserve.

It is advised to clean the brushes at least once a week. But, that seems humanly impossible through our busy scheduled lives. Guilty as charged! We advise cleaning the most used ones once a week and the other ones to be washed every other week. We have come up with our top ten picks of makeup brush cleanser that will make the cleaning process way easier.

Best Selling: ECOTOOLS MAKEUP BRUSH SHAMPOO

Overall Best: Cinema Secrets Professional Brush Cleaner

Best Budget: Elf Daily Brush Cleaner

Our Top 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleansers and Kits are:

1. ECOTOOLS MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANSING SHAMPOO

2. LUXE MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER

3. BEAUTYBLENDER LIQUID BLENDER CLEANSER

4. PARIAN SPIRIT BRUSH CLEANER

5. Beautysoclean Makeup Brush Cleaners

6. REAL TECHNIQUES CLEANSING GEL

7. CLINIQUE MAKEUP CLEANSER

8. BOBBI BROWN CONDITIONING BRUSH CLEANSER

9. ELF DAILY BRUSH CLEANER

10. Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner

11. JAPONESQUE Makeup Cleanser  

12. MelodySusie Makeup Brush Egg

lET’S KNOW SOMETHING DEEPER ABOUT THE ABOVE 10 BRUSH CLEANERS

 1. Ecotools Brush Cleansing Shampoo

The Ecotools Makeup Shampoo is one of Amazon’s best sellers. It’s a great budget buy and a fantastic product that does deliver what it promises. It removes all the makeup, dirt and oil build-up from the brush in a jiffy. It thoroughly cleans your brush and makes it brand new over and over again. 

Ecotools are best known for their environment-friendly products and this cleaner is no different.  This cleaner is made with plant-based ingredients also it’s free of parabens, phthalates, and petroleum-based ingredients. It has a clear gel formula with a refreshing citrus fragrance. If you’re not a fan of citrus fragrance then don’t worry, the smell doesn’t linger around for long.

The gel formula doesn’t lather much, yet it manages to wash away all the gunk and dirt in a single wash. You don’t have to keep rinsing over and over due to the low lather formula. Indeed a great news for the lazy ones like me! It’s very gentle on the brushes and makes them squeaky clean with no effort. It leaves the bristles soft and shiny just like when you purchased them. Some cleaners tend to make the synthetic bristles fluffy after wash. You don’t need to worry about that with this cleaner. It works equally well on both synthetic and natural bristles. The bristles are left soft and clean that helps in a flawless application of makeup.

The Ecotools Makeup Shampoo is hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested so people with sensitive skin are in for a treat. No harsh chemicals are used to make this product that might harm your skin. On the plus side, you’ll also be helping nature as it is packaged in 40 percent post-consumer recycled plastic bottle.

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• No paraben
• Makes the bristles soft and shiny
• Environment-friendly
• Deep clean

Cons

• Strong citrus fragrance might bother some people

2. Luxe Makeup Brush Cleaner

To be honest, cleaning the makeup brushes is a very mundane and tedious task. All the makeup lovers are guilty, ok skipping it every now and then. This revolutionary tool has made the lives of makeup lovers easier to a great extent. It cuts down a lot of time and energy required with its unique technology. The luxe cleaner expertly cleans and dries your brushes just within a couple of seconds. It’s a god-sent miracle for the lazy ones!

This device is super easy to use and it will make your life a lot more hassle-free. You only have to follow three simple steps to make your brushes clean. First, you need to dip and dunk your brush in, then you spin to rinse and at last, you spin to dry. Voila! You got yourself clean, factory new looking brushes. This cleaner will effectively remove all the impurities, dirt and oil from your brush.

This brush cleaner is made using top-grade materials to ensure durability. The price might seem higher at the beginning but if you consider the price to performance ratio, it’s absolutely a steal. If you take care good care of it then it will provide you with years of hassle-free service.

This brush cleaner comes with a package of brush spinner, charging station, eight rubber collars, a glass bowl, a bowl splash guard ring, and a user manual. It also includes 140ml of Luxe makeup cleaning solution. You can easily charge the device with the USB cable that comes with it. A great value pack indeed.

The Luxe also comes with a 2 years manufacturer warranty. So, if you face any issue regarding the cleaner you can contact the seller and they’ll replace it. However, the warranty doesn’t cover glass breakage due to mishandling.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Instantly cleans and dries
• Good value for money

Cons

• The glass jar is damage prone

 

3. Beautyblender Liquid Blender Cleanser

The beautyblender cleanser is a brush and blender cleanser that’s free of skin irritants and harmful dyes. Its amazing high tech formula is made to soak up all the tough stains and impurities from the brush while keeping it in tip-top condition. The regular shampoo and soap have harsh chemicals that deteriorate the bristle quality and eventually making the bristles shed.

This cleaner makes the brushes soft and smooth that helps in flawless makeup application. It has an environment-friendly soothing soy-based, low-suds formula with a light lavender scent. With its coconut surfactants, dead sea salts it gently removes all the makeup, dirt and bacteria from your brushes.  The packaging of this cleanser is pretty straightforward. It comes in a transparent plastic bottle with pump release mechanism and a tight cap. The pump release mechanism makes it suitable for spot cleaning method and the cap ensures secure and mess-free handling of the cleanser.

 The cleanser has a pale yellow color with a slightly runny consistency that works well both on brushes and beauty blenders. Using this cleanser is a very simple process. You just need to wet your tool and pour some cleanser and it will make the tool clean in a jiffy. This cleanser instantly cleans your brushes, there’s no need to dip your brushes for hours and wait.

The liquid cleanser has low chemical content which makes it suitable for people with sensitive skin. It’s a great product though the price is on the steeper side. But, it’s a good value for money. A 5 oz bottle will last you a long time even after regular usage.

Pros

• No harsh chemicals
• Cleans the brush well
• Light lavender smell

Cons

• Expensive
• Doesn’t work well on old stubborn stains

4. Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner

The Parian spirit brush cleaner is another product that is loved by makeup artists all around the world. It is one of the most efficient brush cleansers that you can find in the market. It a multitasking cleaner that can clean from makeup to printmaking supplies. How awesome is that!

Even though it can clean a wide variety of things, it is still very gentle on the brush. It beautifully removes all the makeup, impurities and gunk from your brushes keeping them soft and smooth. The Parian spirit brush cleaner is made with food-grade solvent and citrus spirits that give it powerful cleaning properties. Be it an oil-based makeup or an adhesive, it works wonder for all. It’s formulated without any harmful substances yet it works amazingly well on both synthetic and natural bristles.

This brush cleaner is a great choice to pamper your brushes by giving that weekly deep clean wash. It will not only clean your brushes but also make the bristles soft for a seamless application. One of the major components of this cleanser is orange oil which makes it smell delicious. The fruity orangey smell lingers even after the brushes dry.

Due to its top-notch quality, it’s adored by professionals and we bet it’s going to be a staple in your makeup bag too. The price is a bit high but there are various sizes available so you can choose according to your convenience. Many cleaners clean the brush well but due to the harsh chemicals the bristles shed and the handle loosens. You will not face any such things with Parian spirits. It solemnly sticks the bristles to the brush and doesn’t damage the handle at all.

Pros

• Removes makeup, dirt, and impurities well
• No harmful chemicals
• Different sizes available
• Light citrus smell

Cons

• Expensive

5. Beautysoclean Makeup Brush Cleaners 

Makeup brushes are an essential part of the daily makeup regime. When it comes to cleaning them, we all seem to struggle. The Beautysoclean Makeup Brush Cleaners help to clean the makeup brushes easily and effortlessly. This cleanser makes this tedious task easy and quick at the same time.

The Beautysoclean cleans, disinfects and conditions the brushes for long-lasting use. It instantly removes all signs of makeup, dirt, bacteria, and brings the brushes back to life. The gentle formula of the cleanser makes the bristle soft and helps in the flawless application of makeup. The cleaning process is relatively simple with this cleanser. You can squirt a bit product on your brush and wipe it. You’ll be amazed to see how much pigments come out of the brushes.

It’s a very effective product to use in between the deep cleansing process to keep your brushes alive. Little goes a long way with this Beautysoclean Makeup Brush cleanser thus making it very cost-effective. It’s a way better alternative than your regular soap or shampoo as the chemicals used in those products tend to be rough on the brush bristle and make them shed. You’ll incur no such issues with this cleanser.

The fragrance is low which is great for people with sensitive skin. It is paraben-free, cruelty-free, vegan, and comes from natural sea salt. The antibacterial formula will keep your brushes germ-free and healthy. You can perfectly use for natural and synthetic bristles. Brushes are soft, germ-free, and clean after cleansing.

Beautysoclean Makeup Brush Cleaners come in three strength formulas- Regular, professional, and extreme cleaning formulas.

Regular Strength-BeautySoClean Conditioning Brush Cleanser

• Effective for general use
• Gentle on makeup brushes
• Safe for all skin types
• caring for sensitivities.

Professional Strenth-Beautysoclean Wipeout Makeup Brush Cleaner

• Professional strength
• Cleans fast
• Deep cleaning
• Everyday use.

BeautySoClean – Super Clean Brush Cleaner

• Removes glitter
• Removal of high pigments
• Extreme strength

The price is justifiable considering the amount of product you get and it takes only a few drops to make the brushes squeaky clean and good as brand new.

Pros

• Fast drying
• Vegan
• Gentle and lightweight
• Easy and convenient to use
• Low fragrance
• Paraben-free
• Doesn’t leave any residue
• Deep clean
• Cruelty-free
• Natural sea salt material
• Anti-bacterial formula

Cons

• Confusion regarding which to choose

6. Real Techniques Cleansing Gel

Real techniques has been at the top of their brush game for years now. When they came up with a brush cleaner we all had high hopes and as usual the talented sisters, Sam and Nick Chapman didn’t let us down.

The Real Techniques gel comes in a sturdy plastic box with instructions on it. The bottle itself is very aesthetically pleasing to look at. If you’re into pretty packaging then this is definitely your guy.

The exclusive formula of this cleansing solution is designed to extend the life of your brushes by removing all the impurities, makeup remains, gunk and bacteria. This cleanser cleanses the brushes as well as conditions them for a perfectly seamless application of makeup. This cleanser is dermatologically tested and its non-drying alcohol-free formula makes it an ideal choice for people with sensitive, acne-prone skin. You can clean the brushes pretty quickly and effortlessly following a few simple steps. First, squeeze a little amount on your palm or a textured surface and add a bit lukewarm water. Then gently swirl the brush around and rinse them with water. This process will deep cleanse the brushes and leave them as factory new. You can also find video tutorials on Real Techniques’ YouTube channel that will show you in detail how to use this product.

It doesn’t have the typical cleanser smell instead of smells very florally and fresh. This is a must-have product if you’re in a budget or don’t want to splurge on a cleanser. You get a lot of product and for the price, it’s a splendid deal. However, due to the gel-based formula, it requires more products to clean the brushes.

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Has a fresh floral smell
• Dermatologically tested

Cons

• Requires more product due to the gel formula

7. Clinique Makeup Cleanser

If you’re a regular makeup user and want a quick clean up in between your beauty application then this is going to be your savior. The Clinique makeup cleanser thoroughly cleans your brushes removing all the makeup residue, oil, and dirt. It also conditions the brushes leaving the bristles soft and shiny. This cleanser ensures the highest level of hygiene by removing any sort of bacteria or germs from your brushes.

The process is quick and straightforward. You just need to spray the cleaner on the brush and wipe it out of a paper towel and let it air dry for 1-2 minutes before using the brush. This cleanser can be used with or without water. It’ll surely take your cleaning regime to the next level. Its top-notch formula is designed to keep your brushes in optimal condition. If you’re hesitant to use regular soap or shampoo for your expensive brushes and want something exclusive, then this will be a great choice. It has a high alcohol content which is definitely good news as it works as a good sanitizer. However, if you have sensitive skin and your skin gets irritated easily then we suggest washing the brush with water after cleaning it with a wipe.

The packaging of Clinique makeup cleanser is nothing out of the box. The cleanser has a purple hue to it. It comes in a white plastic bottle with a pump and sprays and a metallic screw-on cap. In case you don’t want to use the sprayer the pump can be opened up to pour the liquid. The bottle, cap, and pump are made with good quality material. The packaging could have been better considering the price. It is bulky and not suitable for carrying during travel.

Pros

• Luxurious
• Easy to use
• Cruelty-free
• Gentle on the brushes

Cons

• Expensive
• Not travel-friendly

 

8. Bobbi Brown Conditioning Brush Cleanser

The Bobbi Brown conditioning brush cleanser is a lifesaver and we can absolutely bet that it’s going to be a staple in your makeup bag once you get your hands on it. This cleanser is designed to clean your brushes also condition them for long-lasting use. It gently removes all the makeup residues, oil, and gunk from the brushes without leaving any harsh effect on the bristles. This fantastic product is gel based and a little product will go a long way. It lathers exceptionally well so it will give you that squeaky clean feel once you’re done washing the brushes.

It also helps to cut down the drying time which makes it super convenient to use. The minty scent that will give you a clean fresh vibe even the brushes are dry. This product is a holy grail for people with sensitive skin. This is dermatologically tested and no harsh chemical is used to make this product. Its ingredients are very gentle that leaves the bristle very soft and smooth. This works equally well on both synthetic and natural bristles without leaving any residue.

The Bobbi Brown conditioning cleanser comes in a sturdy black squeeze tube with a plastic cap and it needs to be flipped over to open the tube. One of the drawbacks of this product is that it doesn’t include a pump. You might end up getting too much product out leading to wastage.

The price is another downside for this product as there are many economical variants available in the market. However, if you want to pamper your expensive brushes with something luxurious then it’s a must-have. It will surely leave your brushes looking like brand new over and over again.

Pros

• Soft and gentle on the brushes
• Doesn’t leave any residue
• Little goes a long way
• Nice minty fragrance

Cons

• Steep price
• Doesn’t have a pump

9. Elf Daily Brush Cleaner

This is another excellent budget buy if you’re a student or don’t want to break the bank for cleaning brushes. It works great for quick cleanup in between your makeup application. This brush cleaner disinfects the brushes thoroughly to provide a clean smooth application of makeup every time.

This is a perfect go-to brush cleaner that does an incredible job at spot cleaning. It removes all traces of makeup, oil, and dirt from the brushes instantaneously. You can spray a bit on the brush and wipe it on a tissue or towel and you’ll be good to go in a minute. It dries the brush very quickly as well. However, this is not meant for deep cleaning. This cleaner is more suitable for the instant cleansing process. It has a high alcohol content which makes a superb disinfectant and sanitizer. This will come in handy if you have an eye infection and you want a quick clean of the brushes. It’s very gentle on the brushes and leaves the bristles soft and shiny. It also conditions the brushes for extended use and long life.

You are going to receive a classic elf packaging. It comes in a plastic black bottle with a sprayer and plastic cap. The packaging is basic but for the price, there’s nothing to complain about. The leak-proof design also makes it a great choice for travel. The strong smell might bother some people but it doesn’t linger for long. Once the brush dries the smell vanishes.

The affordable price tag makes it an excellent choice for those within budget. Though it’s quite cheap but works very well. It can easily replace a high-end brush cleaner with its top-notch performance.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Cleans and dries the brush instantly
• Conditions the bristles and make them soft
• Sturdy packaging

Cons

• Strong fragrance

10. Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner

Cinema Secrets is a top choice among the industry makeup artists and the brush cleaner is their all-time favorites. With its fantastic fast cleaning formula, it makes the brushes 99.99% sanitized and clean in no time. Its unique Antimicrobial, Rinse-less Formula was created to instantly clean, condition and sanitize the tools. While conditioning both synthetic and natural bristles, this cleaner removes all the dirt, oil, pigment and bacteria from the brushes using capillary action.

The cinema secret brush cleaner comes in two sizes, regular and travel size. If you are skeptical about it then we would suggest you to try out the travel size first. It effectively removes all the makeup from the brush even the stubborn shimmery, waxy ones that are hard to remove and makes your tool usable within minutes. It’s an excellent product that cleans and dries almost immediately. It has a strong vanilla fragrance that lingers. The smell might be bothersome to some people who aren’t a big fan of vanilla scents.

The cleaning process is straightforward. Pour it, dip it and wipe it. You just need to dip in your brush in the liquid and it will dissolve the makeup. Then wipe the brush on a towel to remove the makeup. It has a rinse-free formula hence you don’t need to clean it with water.

Let’s watch a video on the application of Cinema Secrets Professional Brush Cleaner.

This cleaner is a superb product if you are on the go and you need something for fast cleaning. However, it doesn’t replace soap and water. It’s more suitable for spot cleaning and maintaining your brushes.

Pros

• Cleans the brush well
• Destroys 99.99% of Bacteria
• Easy to use
• Quickly dries the brush
• Good value for money
• Pro artist quality
• Beautify your makeup brushes

Cons

• Strong lingering scent
• Be ware of fake products(some customers complained)

  11. JAPONESQUE Brush Cleanser

We know you possess very special brushes for making you outstandingly unique. They do their duties of giving you the perfect touches to show the world the real beauty you have. If you want them to do their tasks for a long time without any risk of odor, germ, dirt, etc. , you are required to bathe(clean) them professionally. And here comes the relevance of Japonesque makeup brush cleansing materials. It serves the duty of cleaning, disinfecting, prolonging the life and beauty of your beauty brushes. It is really professional in cleaning all types of makeup brushes. The performance of brushes also gets better with the caring touch of Japonesque.

Available scents

If you are sensitive to smells, Japonesque may come to you as a savior because itis available in three smells:-

• Citrus scents
• Rosewater scents and
• Coconut scents

Let’s have a look at the video to know all about Japonesque makeup brush cleansing solution and how to use them.

Pros

• Keeps brushes germ free
• Cleans fast
• Cleans perfectly
• No bad smell
• Three smell options
• Restores original beauty of brushes
• Prolong life of brushes
• Best for both natural and synthetic brushes

Cons

• May felt a bit greasy/oily
• A bit harmful for glue
• The packaging could be better

12. MelodySusie Makeup Brush Beauty Egg

MelodySusie Makeup beautieg is a very handy and smart kit to help you clean your makeup brushes easily, comfortably and perfectly. If you like to clean the makeup brushes manually, this may be a must-have tool to avail. This is actually a makeup cleaning glove but is different from most others as it is bigger to hold firmly, fashionably designed, comes with gorgeous colors. The kit is made of silicone which is safe, durable and user friendly. The beautieg is well designed for both large and small brushes with special features for both. The stripes are for the large brushes whereas the small granules are for the small brushes requiring extra care. The size is very perfect for travel to be with you at home or abroad. To keep your makeup brushes germ free, healthy and good looking, MelodySusie may be a friend in need.

Pros

• Safe and durable
• Made of silicone
• fantastic design
• Nice colors
• Easy to use
• Travel-friendly
• Lightweight
• Comes with two colors together
• Tiny granules for small brushes
• Stripes for large brushes
• Makeup brush cleaning made easy
• Quick cleaning glove

Cons

• Large brushes are a bit difficult to clean.

How to use makeup brush egg and glove ?

• Step-1: Wet your brushes in the warm water
• Step-2: Apply your chosen cleanser to the bristles
• Step-3: Swirl the bristles on the cleaning board/mat/glove/egg.
• Step-4: Remove the soap(cleanser) with water
• Step-5: Squeeze the brush head to remove excess water
• Step-6: Dry the brush and the cleaning egg/mat/glove

Let’s know how to use with a video…..

Some Quick Tricks And Tips

Let’s be honest. When was the last time you cleaned up your makeup brushes? Your brushes are probably lying there caked up in makeup and dirt calling your name with a desperate cry for help.

Having clean brushes is an integral part of your beauty regime. Now that you have ideas about some best brush cleansers available in the market, it’s high time you get one for yourself. According to Lynne Sanders, cosmetic scientist and founder of Cosmetics a La Carte “If you’re doing everything right, yet can’t get rid of rashes and spots then check the tools you’re using.” Dirty makeup brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria. If the brushes are not cleaned properly it’ll eventually lead to the uneven and streaky application of makeup and clog the pore leading to a breakout.

The best solution is to clean your brushes with the instant cleaners after every use and deep cleanse the brushes one every week for the best result. Bacteria and fungi prefer wet conditions so brushes that you use your liquid or cream product with should be cleaned more frequently than the brushes you use for powder products. Synthetic brushes are usually low maintenance. They are easy to clean and dry and usually last for 5 to 10 years at ease. Some of them even have antibacterial protection too.

Always store your brushes in a cool, dry place, preferably a bag of their own. Never keep your brushes in the bathroom which is the party ground for bacteria. If you use brushes for your personal use make sure you clean them properly. If you’re a makeup artist then never use a dirty unclean brush on two people, it’s severely unhygienic and disgusting. It can cause infection and spread contagious diseases too.

The Cleaning Guide

Most makeup brushes are pretty expensive. It would be heart-wrenching if you damage them while you clean them. If you are a makeup enthusiast, you probably know by now how to clean the brushes. Sadly you can’t use your washing machine to do this job. You need to do it yourself. Here is an in-depth routine on how to clean, dry and take care of your precious brushes.

•  Dip your brush in lukewarm water then put some cleaner in a bowl and gently rub it against your palm or finger to make a fine lather. Keep rubbing for a minute or two until you think all the makeup residues, oil and dirt are clean.
•  Hold the brush again running water to wash off all the cleanser. Make sure there is no lather inside because it’ll attract the bacteria again if there is lather inside, spoiling the sole purpose of washing it.
•  Use a brush cleaning mat if you think there is still lather inside which will thoroughly clean the brush from any residual remains.
•  Now air dry the brushes or you can place them in front of the radiator to quicken the drying process. Never use the brushes until they are fully dried down.

You may have some ideas on cleaning makeup brushes here.

Best Makeup Brush Cleansers-FAQs

How is a brush cleaner different from regular soap and shampoo?

Ans: The brush bristles are sensitive so regular soap and shampoo might damage the bristles. Also, they don’t contain any disinfectant properties that are vital to a makeup brush cleaner.

Do makeup brush cleansing materials contain alcohol?

Ans: Yes, alcohol acts as the sanitizer as it has the disinfectant properties that kill the bacteria in a makeup brush.

Can I use pure alcohol to clean my makeup?

Ans: Using pure alcohol will damage the bristles of the brushes and eventually make them shed. So, if you are going to use alcohol, use 70% of it.

How often should we wash our brushes?

Ans: It depends on how much you use your brushes. We recommend to clean it at least once a week.

What is the difference between deep cleaner and instant cleaner?

Ans: The deep cleaners clean the brushes thoroughly and we suggest to use them once a week. The instant cleaners can be used in-between makeup applications to remove the pigments, oil or dirt for a better application. The instant cleaners also quickly dry the brushes as you don’t need to run it under water but after deep cleaning the brushes need time to dry.

Will the brush cleaner deteriorate the quality of the brush bristles?

Ans: All the products we reviewed are top graded and very gentle on the bristle. Most of the condition the brush bristle along with cleaning them.

Are the brush cleaners suitable for sensitive skin?

Ans: Yes, all the cleaners we reviewed are dermatologically tested and safe to use even for the sensitive skinned people.

How can I charge the electric makeup brush cleaning device?

Ans: The electric makeup brush cleaning machines come with USB charging cables.

EXPLORE HOW ELECTRIC MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANING BEAUTIFY YOU !!!

Conclusion

Choosing a product is a tough job when there are so many variants available in the market. It’s even more complicated if it’s related to something as sensitive as the skin. Even though cleaning the makeup brushes is a tedious task, it can bring a massive change to your beauty regime.

We have gathered up some fantastic products keeping in mind people with different buying power. The pros and cons will help you find the product of your preference and the guide will help to maintain the quality of your brushes.

So, go grab the one you think is the best for you and do let us know about your experience.

Want to learn using makeup brushes correctly ? Read and explore here.