Here's a confession: I don't clean my makeup brushes. I know, I know — it is quite a contradicting statement to admit as a beauty writer. But after my nine to five, I don't want to spend another five to nine (at least, what it feels like) cleaning my beauty tools.
The reality is, though, cleaning your makeup brushes is just as important as cleansing your face. "If you invest time in cleaning and moisturizing your face daily, but you apply makeup with dirty brushes that have built-up makeup, oil and bacteria, you’re undoing all that hard work," explains makeup artist Sara Kuhl. On top of that, "there are tons of risks of using dirty makeup brushes, including breakouts and irritation, bristle breakdown, poor blending capability, unwanted color mixing or splotchy makeup."
That’s why I took it upon myself to test and find the most effective and convenient makeup brush cleaner. Over the past two weeks, I reviewed five different makeup brush cleaner and rated each based on their ease of use, ability to clean, ease of storing and versatility. Plus, I determined which one out of the five saved me the most time cleaning and drying, ultimately leading to the best overall.
Keep reading to discover how I tested and ranked the best makeup brush cleaners.
Our top picks
Best makeup brush cleaners
Best overall, according to the author: Norate Makeup Brush Cleaner
What we like
- Can suction to any surface
- Portable and waterproof
- Rotates and doesn't cling
Something to note
- Suctions can slip if angled
- Will need a plug
Material: Silicone | Weight: 9.9 oz. | Dimensions: 3.93" x 3.93" x 2.66" | Best for: All brushes and beauty sponges
Ease of use: 4.8/5 | Ability to clean: 4.5/5 | Ease of storing: 5/5 | Versatility: 4/5 | Overall rating: 4.8/5
Norate's makeup brush cleaner was the very last device I tested, and turned out to be the best from the lot. The makeup cleaner was also one of few in this list that was capable of cleaning all of my beauty tools, including some of the most challenging to clean (in my experience), like an eye shadow brush, a beauty sponge and a dense foundation brush.
During my rounds of testing, I sought for the brush cleaner that would be the most convenient in my everyday. It must be beginner-friendly, compact enough for at-home storage (as well as travel) and able to remove makeup quickly. The Norate makeup brush cleaner managed to check all of those boxes and more. It's small, but not too small; it's also easy to use, since it just requires you to plug it in (and it's entirely waterproof). My brushes and beauty sponge were thoroughly cleaned almost instantaneously.
You also don't have to do much work, which is a huge perk when you're cleaning multiple tools. Once plugged in, the Norate cleaner spins around like a miniature carousal, which helps the device efficiently clean your tools in just a few seconds.
On top of the silicone bed (where you place your tools), there are small ridges that are tough on liquids and powders — but super gentle on bristles. All you need to do is dip your tool in a little bit of water and place a dab of soap on the silicone bed to get a good clean. After my tools air dried (which took about eight hours), the integrity of my fluffy and dense brushes were kept in tact.
Best of all, Norate's makeup cleaner has powerful suction cups at the bottom. Although it can slip slightly if placed at an angle, the device can be stuck onto any surface you plan on using, making it the perfect device to wash your brushes anywhere.
Best for fluffy brushes: Plum Beauty Makeup Brush Cleaner
What we like
- Extra insert for small brushes
- Batteries included
- Dries and cleans brushes
Something to note
- Vibrations are a bit harsh
- Need to have a bowl prepped
Material: Plastic | Weight: N/A | Dimensions: N/A | Best for: Large-to-medium-sized brushes and handles
Ease of use: 3.8/5 | Ability to clean: 4/5 | Ease of storing: 4/5 | Versatility: 3.5/5 | Overall rating: 3.8/5
The idea of this makeup brush cleaner is incredibly innovative. Rather than waiting for your brushes to air dry, the device washes your tools and dries them after.
Here's how it works: The device itself acts like a handle and can hold onto a brush while you spin/clean it inside a cup of soapy water. When I wanted to dry my brush, I placed the duo in a dry bowl to avoid any water splashing. In about 40 to 60 seconds, my brush was completely dry. This saved the pain of waiting for my brushes to dry overnight.
While the makeup cleaner is impressive, it does come with some flaws. There's an attachment you can connect to the bottom of the device for a small and narrow brush handle — and without it, the brush may fall out as you spin it. In other words, you're limited to only so many brushes you can clean. (If you don't adhere the attachment, you'll be able to fit medium- and large-sized brushes).
A vibration also occurs as the device is spinning your brush dry or clean. It is an intense vibration, and after awhile, my hand began feeling a bit uncomfortable. The device is effective, but those with sensitive hands might want to use it with caution. It's also best for fluffy brushes rather than more dense ones with thicker makeup; the blush powder slipped right off, as seen below.
Best for a mess-free clean: Alyfini Electric Makeup Brush Cleaner Machine
What we like
- Great for travel; compact
- Bowl shaped for less mess
- Has a good rotating speed
Something to note
- Must dump water after each use
- Will need a plug
Material: Silicone and plastic | Weight: 6.72 oz. | Dimensions: 3.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" | Best for: All brushes and beauty sponges
Ease of use: 4.3/5 | Ability to clean: 4/5 | Ease of storing: 5/5 | Versatility: 4/5 | Overall rating: 4.3/5
Alyfini's cleaning machine is the smallest out of the bunch. While it may be tiny, the curved shape means you don't need a separate bowl to clean your brushes. It effectively contains all of the dirty water in one space. However, that means you need to use the device near a sink to dump out the water after each use, but it does save the heavy clean up other cleaners require.
Compared to our overall winner, this device doesn't spin nearly as quick, but it has a good enough speed to cleanse away grime off sponges (just be sure to hold onto it well). The ridges weren't as gentle, but the hairs on my brushes looked just as fluffed as they did before use.
Best for drying: Ricris Electric Makeup Brush Cleaner Machine
What we like
- Dries brushes in 30-60 seconds
- Many inserts for all brushes
- Comes with cleaning bowl
Something to note
- Can plug in or use batteries
- Batteries not included
Material: N/A | Weight: 10.86 oz. | Dimensions: 6.3" x 5.51" x 3.94" | Best for: All brushes
Ease of use: 4.8/5 | Ability to clean: 4.6/5 | Ease of storing: 3.5/5 | Versatility: 5/5 | Overall rating: 4.5/5
According to the brand, this brush-cleaning tool is compatible with 95% of brushes on the market. I used five different brushes of varying sizes while testing, and I can confirm that the statement is true.
The kit includes eight silicone connectors of different sizes that are designed to attach your brush handle to the device. These connectors are even flexible enough to fit wide handles, but be sure they're completely dry before using.
Similar to other cleaners we've tested, this machine spins your brush around to thoroughly clean and dry it. However, the kit comes with its own bowl for you to place soapy water in.
The spinning feature wasn't as intensive as other tools (meaning, it wasn't uncomfortable to use, and was at a slightly slower speed), but it got the job done. The most notable feature about this device was how quickly it dried my tools. In just under 20 seconds of spinning, my brushes were entirely dry. I even noticed they looked a bit fluffier than before.
My cleaning and drying time with this device was much shorter than all of the devices in this list, so it is a great pick if you're in a time crunch.
Best for hands-free cleaning: Cisbelw Electric Makeup Brush Cleaner
What we like
- Does all the cleaning for you
- Can use top for air drying
- Cleans multiple tools at once
Something to note
- Doesn't fit large brushes
- Best for brushes only
Material: Silicone and plastic | Weight: 10.8 oz. | Dimensions: 6" x 3.5" x 3.5" | Best for: Small brushes and handles
Ease of use: 3.8/5 | Ability to clean: 3.5/5 | Ease of storing: 3/5 | Versatility: 3/5 | Overall rating: 3.3/5
The other devices in this list may not require you to do much manual scrubbing, but the Cisbelw makeup brush cleaner doesn't require you to do much at all.
To clean your tools, the device has a silicone top with varying holes to stick your brush handles through. You can use this top to air dry your tools or to clean them. In my experience, this top only managed to fit my smaller brush handles.
As you sit back and watch your brushes get cleaned, the device has a unique water flow that delicately cleanses away any buildup. Although this clean isn’t as intense as other devices, the gentle wash does help preserve your brush bristles better.
Although there is a separate rigid silicone bed to manually clean other brush sizes, it defeats its whole purpose. The machine is also a tad large, so you might want to use it at home only.
Frequently asked questions
Not all makeup brush cleansers are alike, but Kuhl says "the best soap for makeup brush cleansers should be gentle yet effective in removing oil, dirt and product buildup without damaging the bristles." You'll want to look for one that has the following ingredients:
- "Coconut-based cleansers (e.g., sodium lauroyl methyl Isethionate) that help break down makeup while remaining gentle," Kuhl explains.
- Lather-boosting agents (e.g., cocamidopropyl betaine) are great for a rich, foamy cleanse, according to the makeup-artist.
- "Bristle conditioning agents (e.g., polyquaternium-39) to keep bristles soft and flexible pH balancers (e.g., citric acid) to extend brush longevity," adds Kuhl.
If you're looking for a specific cleanser, our experts recommended some of their favorites:
- "I absolutely love the Rephr Brush Soap," raves makeup artist Natalie Dresher. "It gets stains out very easily and sanitizes while conditioning the brush hair."
- "If you don’t want to splurge, I find baby shampoo to be a cost conscious, easily accessible and gentle option to clean your brushes," suggest board-certified dermatologist Dr. Julia Schwartz.
- Both Schwartz and Dresher recommended Dawn Dish Soap for a deep clean that shouldn't damage bristles. "It's perfect for getting the makeup oils out of hard-to-clean brushes, like lip brushes and eyeliner brushes!," says Dresher.
- "For a quick and efficient clean, I use the Cinema Secrets Original Makeup Brush Cleaner," recommends celebrity makeup artist Manuel Espinoza. "I love this one because it cleans the makeup brushes thoroughly and leaves them looking brand new." This cleanser is also known for drying brushes quickly since it requires no rinsing.
- When Espinoza needs to deep clean his brushes, he uses the Bobbi Brown Conditioning Brush Cleanser. "This one is definitely takes a bit longer, but worth it for a complete clean. The Bobbi Brown Brush Conditioner softens the brush fibers and is super gentle."
While dish soap is effective (I even used it for cleaning my brushes during testing), "Household soaps with harsh detergents or alcohol can dry out bristles and weaken the glue-holding brushes together," suggest Kuhl, so you'll want to rarely use these, such as when your tools need a touch-up. They're best for a deep cleanse.
"The best way to clean your makeup brushes depends on how often you use them and the type of product buildup on the bristles," suggests Kuhl, but you'll want to have a dedicated brush cleaner for regular maintenance. She recommends using a liquid brush cleaner for when your brushes need a deep clean, and follow with a textured brush cleaning mat to help loosen up the buildup, for instance.
"If your brush is fluffy, I recommend using a circular motion to thoroughly clean the makeup brush," notes Espinoza. "If you’re cleaning a brush that is flat, make sure to go side to side rather than in a circular motion." But if you're in a time crunch, Kuhl says using a fast-drying brush cleanser (or misting the bristles with 70% alcohol on occasion) can suffice, too.
When it comes to sponges, Kuhl emphasizes that they're the one beauty tool you cannot skip on cleaning. "The porous nature of sponges traps bacteria and product, making them impossible to disinfect properly," she notes, so you'll want to deep clean them often.
"Proper drying is just as important as proper cleaning!," emphasizes Kuhl. "After washing, makeup brushes should be left to dry completely before using them again. This can take anywhere from six to 12 hours, depending on the brush size and density."
For instance, Dresher says she usually likes "to wait at least 36 hours for bigger brushes, [and] overnight for small shadow brushes."
Espinoza adds that drying time could also depend "on what kind of brush cleaner you use." Some brush cleansers could be instant, while others could take overnight to dry.
For best results, Kuhl suggests to "always lay brushes flat or if possible, hang them upside down to prevent water from seeping into the metal part of the brush, which can loosen the glue and cause shedding."
You'll always want to allow them to air dry, and not use heating sources like a hair dryer to quicken the drying time. Plus, "remember to reshape the bristles while damp so they maintain their original form as they dry," the makeup artist notes.
"Cleansing your makeup brushes regularly is important because of the build up of oil, dirt and growth of bacteria that can occur," explains Schwartz. "This buildup can lead to acne breakouts and even skin and eye infections," she continues, which could affect how smooth and even your makeup applies, too.
"Cleansing can also extend the life of your bristles, which is especially important if you are investing in high quality expensive brushes."
If you’re unsure of the best methods to clean your beauty tools, Kuhl suggests the below:
1. “Pour a small amount of brush cleaner into a clean cup."
2. Follow my dipping the makeup brush into the solution, "and swirl it around for 20 seconds or longer if needed," the makeup artist continues.
3. "Remove the brush and gently swirl it on a clean durable paper towel to help remove pigment from the bristles."
4. "Use a brush cleaning mat for deeper cleansing."
5. After washing, Kuhl suggests squeezing "out excess water without pulling or twisting the bristles," and reshaping the brush bristle using your fingers.
6. "Lay flat to dry on a clean towel or hang upside down to prevent water from seeping into the ferrule and loosening the bristles."
I, Madison San Miguel, researched top-rated makeup brush cleaners available online and narrowed them down to five so I could review them. During my testing, I hand-picked specific brushes and tools based on their density (i.e. more packed, less packed) and tool type. I then rated the makeup brushes cleaners for their ease of use, ability to clean, ease of storing and versatility.
To ensure equal testing, I also used the same cleanser, the Amazon Basics Dish Soap, for each tool and cleaner.
Beauty tools used:- Real Techniques Expert Face Professional Foundation Makeup Brush, $8.73
- Real Techniques Ultra Plush Powder Makeup Brush, $8.89 (previously $9.99)
- Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, four pack, $15.11 (previously $15.99)
- R.e.m. Beauty B1 Blush Brush, $24
- Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Cruelty-Free Concealer Brush, $28
Madison San Miguel is a beauty writer with over seven years of experience in the beauty industry. She currently writes about (and reviews) beauty products for Shop TODAY, and she has been since 2023.
Meet the experts- Dr. Julia Schwartz, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Dorado Dermatology.
- Manuel Espinoza is a celebrity makeup artist and Black Radiance ambassador.
- Sara Kuhl is a makeup artist and the Product Education & Training Director at SeneGence.
- Natalie Dresher is a celebrity and bridal makeup artist based in New York and Miami.
Madison San Miguel
Madison San Miguel is the editorial assistant for Shop TODAY, who covers everything from beauty to style.
