It’s a well known fact (sorry people) that bacteria breeds on the surface of the skin. For the most part, this isn’t a problem; a scrub with a good face wash at the end of the day and it’s all good, but when you’re using the same makeup brushes everyday, they too can become the ideal place where bacteria from your skin, residue makeup and dirt can fester. If you don’t clean your makeup brushes on a regular basis, you’re essentially wiping the grubbiness that collects within the bristles back into your skin. Try one of our picks of the best makeup brush cleaners, and you will be horrified and satisfied in equal measure as to how much dirt you extract!
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If you regularly wear foundation or blusher, you may notice that your cheeks, which often receive the most layers of makeup, regularly break out in blemishes and this, more often than not, could be down to the fact that you’re not cleaning your makeup brushes properly.
If this sounds familiar, it’s time you invested in a decent makeup brush cleaner. Many brush cleaners, as well as ensuring that your bristles remain clean, condition the fibres so they’re kept in optimum condition for efficient makeup application. Our top product, the , is a great all-rounder that gives your eyeshadow, foundation and blusher brushes a thorough clean while conditioning them so they remain soft.
While some cleaners may require you to leave your brushes in for a longer soak, others are fast working, great if you don’t have copious amounts of time on your hands. Some of our top picks are completely out of the box, like Johnson’s Baby Shampoo (yes you read that correctly) which is actually a pretty decent budget approach according to cosmetic pros, if you can handle not going down the 'official' route.
From Clinique to Dior, we’ve scoured loads of brands to provide you with a list that details the best makeup brush cleaners. Whether it’s quality over quantity, budget, or money is simply no object, we’re pretty sure you’ll find the perfect product below.
A makeup brush cleanser from a trustworthy beauty brand, we’re pretty sure this product will do the job well. It’s easy to use – just a couple of pumps, wipe, and leave to dry for a couple of seconds. While not the cheapest makeup brush cleanser, it does, according to users, do a good job of cutting through the dirt, and Clinique promise that it will strengthen and soften the bristles too, ensuring your brushes are kept in prime condition for flawless makeup application.
A great product for both those who want to clean on occasion and those want to clean on the go, this MAC Cosmetics Brush Cleaner can be used in a couple of different ways depending on your needs. If you’re looking to spot clean after you apply your makeup, simply cover your brush with it and wipe clean. Or, you can pop some of the solution in a container and swirl your brushes around for a deeper clean. With disinfectant and conditioning properties, you can’t go wrong with this offering from MAC.
If you like working with colour palettes, you run the risk of getting the wrong colour in the wrong place if you don’t remove the previous powder from the brush. While previously you may have gone out and bought a brush for each colour, now you don’t have to. Thanks to this colour swapper marvel, simply swipe your brush on the damp sponge until the previous colour has wiped off, then you can move on to the next colour knowing you’re not going to end up with patchy makeup.
Those looking to clean their brushes regularly, but perhaps not on an everyday basis should take note of this offering from Bobbi Brown. All you need to do is rub some of the product into the brush, lightly massage and rinse with lukewarm water. Because you’re rinsing the brush thoroughly with water, you’ll need to wait a while for them to dry, but with the promise of removing residue safely without damaging brushes, this is a good one if you’re worried about messing them up.
Whether you’re a makeup artist constantly on the go, or you’re someone who simply wants to quickly clean their brushes after use, this convenient antibacterial cleanser from designer giants Dior should go down well. All you need to do is apply the cleaner to a tissue and wipe to remove any residue makeup. With antibacterial properties, it should help to keep your skin spot-free, and with quick drying properties, there’s no need to wait for hours until they’re dry.
If you’re someone who finds it hard to justify buying products like makeup brush cleansers, perhaps you can compromise with a bottle of Johnson's Baby Shampoo. Apparently, it’s a trick of the trade, as it will gently clean your brushes without leaving any residue or drying out the bristles. While extremely cost-effective, we can’t guarantee that it’ll work as well as an official cleaner, and the application process does involve rinsing with water, so you’ll have to wait a while for your brushes to dry
If you’re put off by the thought of using a tissue to clean your brushes, this pad could be an effective solution. With three sides to help you thoroughly clean different sizes brushes, making sure your face brushes, eye brushes and detail brushes are super clean on each application should be made easy as possible. While cleanser isn’t included in the price of the product, there’s no reason why the palette can’t provide years of reliable service, making it a great, cost-effective buy.
Many makeup cleaners often require you to leave your brushes to dry for quite some time before you use them again, however this electric makeup brush cleaner has been invented with speed and effectiveness in mind. Using centrifugal force and either anti-bacterial soap and water for water-based makeup of cleanser for oil-based makeup, the electric makeup brush cleaner will make sure that your brushes are left in prime condition to be used again as quickly as possible.
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Clean 'em with our top-choice cleansers, then store 'em in one of our best makeup brush holders.
