The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (2024)

The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (1)

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As much as we love creating a TikTok-inspired cut-crease eye or seamless no-makeup makeup look, there's also the added effort needed to actually keep our tools of choice spotless after each use. It's no secret that scrubbing brushes and sponges clean tends to be a common pain point among beauty lovers, but using one of the best makeup brush cleaners—many that professional artists swear by—makes the process a little less tedious.

To answer your question: Yes, you have to wash your brushes. It may seem taxing to frequently wash your makeup tools, but doing so is optimal for the best possible application, and it helps keeps potential skin issues at bay. "If you're just using your brushes on yourself, you should clean them at least once a week to prevent dirt and bacteria from building up and causing blemishes," celebrity makeup artist Jillian Dempsey previously told BAZAAR.com.

Whether you prefer using a liquid, foam, or solid formula to get your go-to tools squeaky clean, read on for our short list of the best makeup brush cleaners on the market. With options from in-demand brands like Cinema Secrets, IT Cosmetics, Sigma Beauty, and more, you'll find one that will remove makeup residue with minimal effort.

MOST POPULAR MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER

LUXE Beauty Makeup Brush Cleaner

The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (2)

Pros
  • The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (3)Includes a cleaning bowl and brush spinner
Cons

    Amazon shoppers love to get their brushes as clean as possible with this all-inclusive option. The three-piece set includes a handy (and practically damage-proof) cleansing bowl, LUXE Beauty brush cleaner, plus the brand's spinning attachment that helps wash and dry your essentials in minutes.

    ARTIST-APPROVED MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER

    Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner

    The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (4)

    Pros
    • The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (5)Rinse free
    Cons

      The gold standard in makeup brush cleaners, this artist- and editor-approved solution is quick drying, rinse free, and antimicrobial (up to 99.99 percent when used correctly).

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      BEST SPRAY MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER

      IT Brushes for ULTA Brush Bath Purifying Makeup Brush Cleaner

      The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (6)

      This brush spray from the experts at IT Cosmetics was created especially for Ulta and seamlessly dissolves makeup and dirt from both synthetic or natural hair brushes in just a few spritzes.

      BEST SOLID MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER

      Sephora Collection Solid Brush and Sponge Cleaner

      The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (8)

      Pros
      • The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (9)Includes a textured silicone pad for deep cleaning
      Cons

        If you're looking for a solid soap to cleanse brushes and sponges, this one from Sephora includes its own silicone pad for an even deeper clean. Plus, it contains Moroccan argan oil to help keep your bristles soft.

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        BEST TRAVEL-READY MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER

        e.l.f. Daily Brush Cleaner (2 Oz.)

        The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (10)

        Now 17% Off

        Pros
        • The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (11)Vegan
        Cons

          Since this daily brush spray from e.l.f. is only two ounces, you can easily add it to your carry-on or purse to keep your tools spotless while on the go.

          BEST MAKEUP BRUSH STERILIZING CLEANER

          MAC Cosmetics Brush Cleanser

          The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (12)

          Pros
          • The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (13)Helps minimize brush-drying time
          Cons

            Close to 400 Nordstrom customers are raving about this brush cleanser from MAC, with one satisfied shopper writing, "For years, I'd been using a different brand to clean my brushes. I decided to try this on a friend's recommendation, and I am blown away—I couldn't believe the amount of old makeup this was getting out of the brushes I had thought were already clean! As a bonus, this product also sterilizes your brushes. From now on this is the [only] brush cleaner I'll be using!"

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            BEST FOAM MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER

            Sigma Beauty SigMagic Brushampoo

            The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (14)

            Pros
            • The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (15)Hypoallergenic
            Cons

              This clean foaming option from Sigma Beauty might just help make your cleaning experience a little more fun, and it contains just four ingredients to get the job done (and well).

              BEST SCENTED MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER

              JAPONESQUE Makeup Brush Cleanser

              The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (16)

              Pros
              • The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (17)Works with both natural and synthetic bristles
              Cons

                This scented cleanser is ideal for either deep or spot-cleaning your favorite tools and lifts away even the toughest gel, wax, powder, and cream formulas with water and just a few drops of solution.

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                BEST LUXE MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER

                Tom Ford Beauty Brush Cleanser

                The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (18)

                Pros
                • The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (19)Helps extend the life of brushes
                Cons

                  This best-selling brush spray cleaner from Tom Ford Beauty not only looks great on your bathroom counter, but also disinfects and conditions bristles and handles while minimizing their drying time.

                  BEST LOW-SUDS MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER

                  Beautyblender Blendercleanser Solid

                  The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (20)

                  Pros
                  • The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (21)Includes a textured silicone pad for deep cleaning
                  Cons

                    This compact, lavender-scented solid sponge and brush soap from the pros at Beautyblender creates a low-suds lather to keep your essentials in tiptop shape. It also includes a textured pad that works as both a drying pad and deep cleaning tool.

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                    BEST CONDITIONING MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER

                    Bobbi Brown Brush Cleanser

                    The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (22)

                    Pros
                    • The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (23)Hydrating formula
                    Cons

                      You won't have to worry about stripping moisture from your brushes while cleansing them with this gently hydrating formula from Bobbi Brown Cosmetics.

                      "This is hands down the best brush cleaner for deep cleaning of all your brushes. I have been using this cleaner for decades and nothing comes even close to its performance," one Nordstrom customer writes. "It leaves your brushes perfectly conditioned without over softening and disturbing their performance. I have an extensive collection and wash batches weekly and use less than one tube per year. This stuff is amazing!"

                      MOST VERSATILE MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER

                      Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner

                      The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (24)

                      Here's another professional-favorite makeup brush cleaner that doesn't use harsh ingredients to keep your well-loved tools clean. Better yet, it can also be used to remove makeup from clothing, false eyelashes, and more.

                      The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (25)

                      Tiffany Dodson

                      Associate Beauty Commerce Editor

                      Tiffany Dodson Davis is the associate beauty commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar. Don't ask her to choose a favorite fragrance—it's like picking a favorite child. As one of the brand's resident shopping experts, she specializes in trend forecasting, testing the latest beauty and wellness launches, and curating bookmark-worthy commerce guides. Tiffany's work has previously been featured in SELF Magazine, Bustle, and Teen Vogue. She's also been tapped as a commerce and beauty expert for The Business of Fashion, NPR’s Life Kit podcast, and more.

                      The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (2024)
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