Best Makeup Brush Shampoos

Updated February 2019
Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Cinema Secrets
Professional Brush Cleaner
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Bottom Line

Outshines its competitors in both quality and efficiency – a great choice for those who share their brushes, as it cleans and sanitizes your brushes.

Pros

Only a small amount of shampoo is required, making this product last longer than most. No need to soak your brushes – they dry quickly and don't need to sit overnight. Leaves brushes conditioned and soft. Available in 4, 8 and 32-oz. bottles.

Cons

A little costly. Has a strong vanilla scent which can be bothersome to sensitive skin.

Aesthetica
Cruelty-Free Makeup Brush Cleaner
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Bottom Line

An affordable, vegan-friendly product that gets the job done with little effort.

Pros

Unlike other shampoos that just clean your brushes, this removes dark foundation and eye makeup that you thought you were stuck with forever. The shampoo is thin, but runny. Vegan and cruelty free. The scent from the product doesn't linger on your brushes.

Cons

Bottle design leads to a lot of wasted product, as it spills out easily when opened (a pump would be more efficient). Takes a while for brushes to dry.

Best Bang for the Buck
Eco Tools
Cruelty-Free and Eco-Friendly Makeup Brush Cleansing Shampoo
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Bottom Line

Cruelty-free and eco-friendly, Eco Tools will leave your conscience as clean as your brushes.

Pros

Great quality at a lower price point. Removes heavy liquid foundation from brushes and beauty blenders with ease. Cleans and conditions the brushes, leaving them as soft as the day you bought them.

Cons

Product is thin and runny, which can cause a mess around the cap if you're not careful. Leaves a light orange scent on your brushes.

Japonesque
Conditioning Makeup Brush Shampoo with Argan Oil
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Bottom Line

A great choice for novice makeup users. Easy to use, easy to apply, and leaves brushes clean and conditioned.

Pros

We love the added touch of softness that the argan oil provides. Thick formula that lathers really well. Old makeup residue comes off easily for those who don't wash their brushes regularly. A little product goes a long way.

Cons

Not as effective on sponges and beauty blenders. Will leave a residue on brushes if too much product is used.

Real Techniques
Deep Cleansing Gel Brush Cleaner
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Bottom Line

An inexpensive, basic choice for cheaper makeup brushes – but we recommend another choice in the matrix for high-end brushes.

Pros

We love how this thick gel formula leaves brushes feeling soft, and is gentle enough to use on beauty blenders and sponges.

Cons

Brushes may need to be washed 2-3 times to get all of the makeup off.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

17 Models Considered
5 Hours Researched
1 Experts Interviewed
121 Consumers Consulted
Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.

Makeup brushes touch every inch of your face, so naturally, keeping them clean is essential. Makeup brush shampoos are designed specifically to remove the makeup residue, oils, and dead skin cells that accumulate over time – while still being gentle enough to avoid any damage to the brushes. Chose a brush shampoo over common alternatives such as dish soap to ensure softer, longer lasting brushes. Unlike dish soap, a proper brush shampoo will not leave any skin-irritating residue on your brushes. Keep in mind, you should be cleaning your brushes regularly throughout the month. Foundation brushes in particular should be washed at least once a week.

The team that worked on this review
  • Eliza
    Eliza
    Production Manager
  • Katie
    Katie
    Editorial Director
  • Melinda
    Melinda
    Web Producer
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Cinema Secrets

Professional Brush Cleaner

Cinema Secrets

Professional Brush Cleaner

Outshines its competitors in both quality and efficiency – a great choice for those who share their brushes, as it cleans and sanitizes your brushes.
$42
×

Aesthetica

Cruelty-Free Makeup Brush Cleaner

Aesthetica

Cruelty-Free Makeup Brush Cleaner

An affordable, vegan-friendly product that gets the job done with little effort.
$39
×

Eco Tools

Cruelty-Free and Eco-Friendly Makeup Brush Cleansing Shampoo

Eco Tools

Cruelty-Free and Eco-Friendly Makeup Brush Cleansing Shampoo

Cruelty-free and eco-friendly, Eco Tools will leave your conscience as clean as your brushes.
$4
×

Japonesque

Conditioning Makeup Brush Shampoo with Argan Oil

Japonesque

Conditioning Makeup Brush Shampoo with Argan Oil

A great choice for novice makeup users. Easy to use, easy to apply, and leaves brushes clean and conditioned.

$14
×

Real Techniques

Deep Cleansing Gel Brush Cleaner

Real Techniques

Deep Cleansing Gel Brush Cleaner

An inexpensive, basic choice for cheaper makeup brushes – but we recommend another choice in the matrix for high-end brushes.
$6

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