Best makeup brush cleaners 2022

Every artist needs her tools to create a makeup masterpiece - but how often those tools are cleaned?

Just like changing the bedsheets, we all know (in theory) how often we should be washing our makeup brushes, sponges and tools - approximately every seven days, or after ever use if you can - but how many of us actually do it?

It’s one of those little jobs languishing on our to-do list that leaves us feeling red-faced guilty whenever we think about it.

One of the biggest excuses is the time commitment involved: washing blusher and eyeshadow brushes may be quite straightforward, but to remove foundation from fine bristles is a tedious task we’re quick to find any kind of distraction from.

Thankfully beauty brands have cottoned on to this and responded with innovative products that not only promise to give your tools a deeper cleanse, but will take next to no time too, letting you get back to more important/ enjoyable things.

Cleaning brushes and sponges is crucial for hygiene and to keep spots and infections at bay. The cleaner your tools, the better they are for the health of your skin.

We’ve rounded up some of the best cleaning solutions and gadgets for the task.

See our favourites below

Stylpro Original

If you’re a fan of BBC’s The Apprentice, cast your mind back to the 2011 finale when inventor Tom Pellereau won the contest with a tweezer design. He’s since used Sir Alan Sugar’s money wisely, having launched this clever gadget that will get your beauty brushes spick and span in mere seconds.

The Stylpro acts like a washing machine, cleaning and drying your powder and liquid encrusted tools using centrifugal spin technology. The best part? They’re ready to use again in 30 seconds. The phrase ‘game changer’ gets bandied about all too often these days, but be in no doubt: the Stylpro Original is the real deal.

Buy now £23.99, Amazon

StylPro Squeeze Makeup Sponge Cleaner 20ml

The latest inventing from Tom Pellerau, past Apprentice winner and associate of Lord Alan Sugar, is made to delight beauty sponge users. Created specifically to wring liquid foundation and powder clean from each teardrop-shaped sponge, the set consists of squeeze bowl, spinning device and a special press to get all the grime out. There’s also a small bottle of vegan cleanser to use, meaning you can get to work cleaning your beauty kit from the minute the box arrives at your door.

Buy now £39.99, Lookfantastic

Bobbi Brown Conditioning Brush Cleanser

Costing a little over a tenner, this clear gel works hard to clean your brush bristles without leaving them feeling hard and brittle afterwards. A little goes a long way - slightly bigger than a rain drop is enough to get all the product off.

Buy now £12.00, Liberty of London

Dior Backstage Brush Cleanser

This high-end brush cleanser successfully removed all dirt and leftover makeup from a really grubby brush without any whiff of horrible chemical smells. Simply grab a tissue, liberally spray the cleanser onto it, and wipe the brush numerous times until squeaky clean. Within a minute or two, the brush will be dry, making it particularly handy for any last minute night out preparation.

Buy now £18.00, Dior

MAC Brush Cleanser, 235ml

MAC’s makeup brush cleaner is on the large side, so should last a little while even if you’re using it rather liberally. Either apply the cleanser directly onto the brush or use a towel to wipe off makeup remnants. As with many others, this is a quick-drying formula that leaves brushes super soft. It also promises to extend the life of brushes by conditioning the fibres.

Buy now £12.50, John Lewis

Liquid Blendercleanser

Home of the beauty sponge, BeautyBlender knows a thing or two about keeping its much-loved products clean. There are a couple of options available, but we like the liquid best for brushes as well as sponges. It’s got coconut surfactants and dead sea salts in it to really get into the nitty gritty and coupled with a delicate lavender fragrance, makes cleaning beauty brushes a total breeze.

Buy now £16.00, Cult Beauty

Revolution Portable Deep Cleanse Solid Makeup Brush Cleaner

For trips away or cleaning the secondary makeup kit stashed in your work drawer/ partner’s place, this solid balm is pure genius. Working like a gentle soap, simply wet the brush head, swirl around the balm until you have a lather, then wash off and leave to dry flat on some tissue. The balm is good to go when you need it next, just wash off the gunk and allow to air dry before resealing.

Buy now £5.00, Revolution

e.l.f. Makeup Brush Cleaning Glove

Potentially the easiest to use of all the cleaners on our list, this silicone glove is super portable and promises no mess. It’s covered in varying textures which allows it to clean brushes of all sizes and comes with handy slots to straighten and dry brush bristles.

Simply wet with a gentle shampoo or soap and you’re ready to rid your tools from built-up product.

Buy now £14.99, Amazon

Sigmagic Brushampoo

Trapped in dried on foundation liquid, blush, bronzer and eyeshadow powders, your tools not only harbour more bacteria than normal, but the residue will also obstruct their ability to work properly. Blitz through the grime with this coconut oil cleaner, which will loosen the dirt and get them back to looking their original best.

Buy now £12.50, BeautyBay

Beautyblender Pure Solid Cleanser

Made by the company behind your favourite makeup sponges, this solid cleanser can be used on the go. It works with both damp sponges and brushes and requires nothing but a simple massaging in of the product. With a subtle lavender fragrance, the cleanser leaves brushes looking and smelling fresh and should last a lot longer than a traditional liquid one.

Buy now £12.40, Amazon

NYX Professional On The Spot Makeup Brush Cleaner Spray

This does exactly what it says on the bottle. Just one spritz will remove all traces of makeup from brushes with a gentle formula helping to protect and condition bristles. A sweet fragrance is a nice extra touch. The only downside is the slightly small bottle size but go easy on the spraying to avoid more spending.

Buy now £5.40, Cult Beauty

Verdict

Standard makeup brush cleaners can be a little messy with some residue left behind. But StylPro’s electric cleanser has to be the ultimate wash-and-dry tool. With absolutely zero cleaning up required, it takes around 30 seconds per brush and leaves each one looking brand spanking new.