Me asks...
What do you use to wash your brushes?
Right now, I’m using Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap!
— Christine
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105 Comments
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Baby Shampoo
Same!
Really not gentle. Hahhaa. Probably disgusting for some. I add a little bit of dettol and dish detergent to a cup of water. Use them in small portions to wash my brushes under running water! 😀
Dettol? Are you Caribbean? We kept a bottle of Dettol in my Jamaican household.
dettol is all over the world even here in Asia, in most households too, love its smell!
Hi, I use shampoo, is it good ?
Whatever shampoo I use on my head.
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I use baby shampoo to deep clean and MAC brush cleanser to spot clean. I can’t think of a time when I didn’t use this routine.
MAC Brush cleanser and Beautyblender Solid Sponge cleanser!
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Johnson’s Baby Shampoo. I’m almost out, so I’m going to see if one of the cleansers that didn’t work for me will do.
i use baby shampoo
Baby shampoo from the dollar store.
I make my own brush cleanser, and it works!!
– 1 cup purified water
– 1/4 cup alcohol
– 1/2 tbsp washing-up liquid
– 1/2 tbsp mild shampoo
– 1 tbsp hair conditioner (silicone-free)
This sounds cool. Do you use this to spot-clean your brushes or deep-clean them?
I use this to spot-clean, as well. I also add a few drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil for anti-bacterial purposes.
For deep-cleaning, I’ll use castile soap, baby shampoo, or anti-bacterial hand soap for brushes I use exclusively for powder products. For cream/liquid/gel brushes, or those that are extremely dense, I dip them in a solution of 1 cup warm water, 1 TBS distilled white vinegar, & 1 TBS liquid dish soap. Swirl thoroughly, then rinse well. I make sure to also use a dish soap that has a nice scent to cover the vinegar, though!
Awesome! Thank you, Amy and Francesca! Jotted down all of this and will commence experimenting this weekend. Huh…first time I have ever actually looked forward to washing my brushes. =)
The Laundress wool and cashmere shampoo. Amazing. Leaves your brushes SO soft and clean. Very gentle and natural as well. The bottle says it 100% biodegradable, dye/sulfate/phosphate/chlorine free. I’ve tried the Johnson’s baby shampoo, Dr. Bronner’s soaps, mild dish detergent with olive oil…but this is hands down the best.
Plus, if it’s good enough to wash cashmere, it’s certainly good enough to wash your brushes with. 🙂
I mix Shu Uemura’s cleansing oil and water in a little cup and swirl my brushes in there. Rinse off and dry.
Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo most of the time, sometimes a Lush shampoo bar.
I use body wash gel/soap to wash my brushes. I never use brush cleanser before! Which method of cleaning brushes will any of you recommend? (I’m a noob when it comes to washing brushes.)
Suave Clarifying Shampoo. Washes makeup out completely and more quickly than any brush cleaner I’ve ever used.
Either Dr Bronners Peppermint Bar soap (I don’t know why but I never find the liquid stuff as effective) for synthetic bristles and cheap shampoo and expensive conditioner for natural hair brushes. Or whatever hand soap is convenient if I’m really lazy!
I’m the opposite! I had the bar soaps for awhile, and they were good but I didn’t love them… liquid is my jam!
I’m using Make Up Store Brush Cleansing Soap. It is a bar of soap and it is really amazing. So fast and easy to use, and the brushes get really clean and it doesn’t dry them out. I will never use anything else. 🙂
Johnson’s baby shampoo
Dr. Bronner Castile solid soap (at the moment I have the rose oil one). I’ve been using it for at least a year now and it’s the best thing out there. It gets my beauty blender perfectly clean, too.
Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo or some of my PUR Minerals green face wash – both work well and are gentle. I have Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap but I’ve never thought to use it because it’s so heavily scented with peppermint.
a home made version from Youtube. I think the name was Kore? It is made out of natural things you can buy from a chemist. Works well
I´m also using the Dr.Bronner soap, I love the almond one 🙂
I use Bobbi Brown, The Spray after each use and the Shampoo for washes.
I use Bobbi Brown Brush Cleaner, the one in the tube, and for a quick in-between cleans I have a spray brush cleaner from Bare Minerals.
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Sanex Bath foam! Its really soapy. But I do this rarely which is really bad lol!
I use regular anti-bacterial hand soap, and it does the trick for me.
YES! Dr. Bronners works crazy better than anything else I’ve ever used! Makeup just flies out of those brushes with that stuff! 🙂
I had the bar soap before, but after you mentioned you use the liquid, I tried that – MUCH preferred to the bar soap.
I have Cinema Secrets for daily cleaning and use MAC’s brush cleaner for weekly cleaning. For my foundation brush I totally use a bit of my eye-makeup remover to get the foundation out and follow that up with MAC’s to finish cleaning.
I use Dawn dish soap which is probably not the best idea, but none of my brushes are all that fancy/expensive and I have had most of them for years and years.
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How does Dr. Bronner’s work for you, Christine? I bought a bottle of the rose-scented one, but haven’t used it yet since I’m still trying to finish up my old Sephora brush soap.
Really well! I believe I have unscented, because I really don’t seem to like scented soaps on brushes!
I’ve been using the Lavender or Peppermint, but I don’t find the scents linger. I do have primarily synthetic brushes, though, so I don’t know if that would hold true for natural hair brushes. Also, of all the castile soaps I’ve tried, Dr. Bronner’s is by far the best!
Thank you! I feel more assured now. 😀
Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser. It’s gentle enough to remove makeup from your face. So, I figure it is also gentle enough on my brushes. Effective and economical, too!
I use Johnson’s Baby Shampoo and Philosophy Purity Made Simple. Because my skin has acne scars, I use full coverage foundations so every few washes I use Dawn to make sure there is no residue left.
Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap in peppermint
Same here! 🙂
For the most part I use mac brush cleaner. I also use my facial cleanser, philosophy purity, for my softer brushes because it gets makeup out fast and conditions the hairs. For heavy duty foundation brush cleaning I use the blender cleaner liquid soap.
Daiso Puff and Sponge detergent. Sounds weird, but this stuff is amazing. You hardly need any and it gets brushes super clean. I believe it’s Japanese, I find it on eBay.
I need to check this out I live near a Daiso market
What do you think of baby shampoo?
I’ve also been using Dr. Bronner’s in Lavender! I have the mint one too, both in small bottles and I have soo much soap left. I find the brushes get squeaky clean, smell nice (but not overpowering) and you need so little soap to clean brushes. I also use the Sigma spa brush glove which gets in the bristles nicely and doesn’t prune up your hands! 🙂
I have tried so many different shampoos and cleaners in the past but Johnson’s Baby Shampoo works better than all of them! Plus it’s so much cheaper!!
Dettol handwash for sensitive skin
I used to use MAC brush cleaner, but now I make my own with Xsparkage’s recipe.
baby shampoo or my beautyblender cleanser!
Same here. I do want to get the sigma brush glove too. I have a cleaning spray but can’t remember the brand.
Dr. Bronner’s! Such a great product.
Sonia Kashuk brush cleaner. It works pretty well, but sometimes leaves my denser brushes with a little residue once they’ve dried. I’ll probably try something else when I finish what I have.
Baby shampoo. However, I’d love to know your thoughts on the Dr. Bronner’s, Christine! I’d like to use something more sustainable and kinder to animals. Johnson’s isn’t exactly “green” nor cruelty-free…
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You can try to find a small, 1 oz trial size bottle for around $2. I often pick mine up at Target, although they only seem to carry Peppermint or Lavender. If you can find them, it’s definitely worth a shot; the brushes get clean, and the product rinses easily!
Thanks so much! I’ll look into it for sure. Didn’t realize Target sold it. 🙂
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My favorite is baby shampoo. I have tried a couple of brush cleaners over the years, but I keep going back to baby shampoo.
Whatever anti-bacterial soap is in my bathroom dispenser at the time.
Clean solid Brush Shampoo in Vanilla & Goat’s Milk or Lemon & Olive Oil – Using my brushes afterwards is like aromatherapy!!!
For deep cleaning, I use baby shampoo but for daily washing of eye liner and foundation brushes, I just use non anti-bacterial hand soap. I know it’s not ideal but the regular soap is a lot less drying and the anti-bacterial stuff and it’s right there so I’ll wash them consistently.
Beautyblender solid sponge cleanser. Gets my brushes super clean (even the stubborn white ones), and makes washing my MANY brushes less of a chore.
I use the Cinema Secrets brush cleaner for the most part. I also use enKore’s brush cleaner. I’ve used Dr. Bronner’s before and liked it too. I just find the Cinema Secrets works best for me because I have hard water in my house and I can skip using water, instead using the CS product.
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Dr. Bronner’s lavender for deep cleans, MAC brush cleanser for spot cleaning.
I spot clean with Sephora’s brush cleanser and deep clean with Dawn.
Whatever hand soap or shampoo I have to hand. Mind you, I don’t really own brushes, so I’ve never bothered to develop much of a technique for it! 😀
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Mac brush cleanser or baby shampoo
Kirk´s Castile coconut bar soap ;D
Same here. I use a little bit of a cheap cleansing oil to help with foundation brushes before using the coconut oil soap.
Any shampoo and conditioner that I would use on my own hair. And a Benjabell to dry them. Best purchase ever.
love the Benjabelle trees!!
oh yeah my fav is MAC brush cleanser its the highest quality brush cleanser i’ve tried. Baby shampoo from Johnson’s or Target brand if they are really dirty with a ton of foundation.
Right now have baby shampoo and Clinique brush cleaner on hand. Will be looking to try something else when that runs out. Not that those products are a bad way to go, just looking to improve and perfect :d
Dawn’s Anti bac dish soap. If it’s good enough for Sam Fine it is good enough for me!
baby shampoo and water
I use Philosophy’s yellow cleanser! Funny since I just cleaned them today since we are home for a snow day.
Olive Oil and Dawn’s Anti-Bacterial Dish Soap
I use Dr. Bonner’s too! The best brush cleaner in my opinion.
Cinema Secrets. It cleans, sanitizes and has a nice vanilla scent.
Philosophy Purity cleanser. I just picked up the solid beauty blender cleanser so I’m going to start using it soon!
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I use Paula’s Choice shampoo for deep cleaning and Sonia Kashuk brush cleanser for daily cleaning.
I use Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint bar soap.
I used to wash my brushes in Fairy liquid (washing up liquid) and a little olive oil, but I noticed the hairs on my brushes had become dry and brittle. I’ve recently treated myself to some new luxe brushes and am using Benjabelle brush soap. It’s ok but I think i’d like to try something even gentler/ richer so my next purchase may be Dr Bronners Hemp & Tea Tree soap in a bar or maybe one of the Lush shampoo bars.
MAC brush cleanser.
Clean solid Brush Shampoo – Goat’s Milk in the grapefruit scent or the Olive Oil in grapefruit scent. My brushes are clean and smells devine.
I used to buy MAC BC & also Parisan Spirits(Water), but w/time I just learned that Baby Shampoo works just as well as anything on my *personal* brushes… The brushes I use on others (I’m frelance Beauty MUA), I make sure to use something that’s cleansing AND anti-septic/bacterial. I forego the alcohol-based stuff on personal brushes b/c I’ve noticed an absolute difference in bristle dryness & ferrules coming unglued, etc.. w/the more harsh stuff. I’ll get a good 3yrs out of multi-person brushes, but using Lavender-Scented Baby Wash for my brushes–it’s been 7yrs (washed 1x/mo) & they’re still awesome. BTW: I use MAC, NARS, OCC Makeup & Qosmedix brushes. Brushes cost so much BECAUSE they can last YEARS w/proper maintenance & care (unlike mascara, for instance) Jecca B-)
Wow! All those replies and I only read 2 that use Philosophy Purity. I have an expensive and extensive brush collection and when I was a newbie a woman at a Sephora told me to use Olive Oil. Literally ruined the 3 brushes I used them on! I noticed if I use any type of cleanser made specifically for brushes I just don’t get the same deep cleanse that I do when I use Philosophy Purity. For my beauty blender the only cleanser that works in the beauty blender bar cleanser. Works perfectly but it does break down the beauty blender bit by bit. Philosophy on all my brushes has not damaged not even 1 hair in the slightest. I’ve invested way too much in my brush collection to risk using dish detergent or shampoo I use on my head (no offense to anyone). Luckily the 3 brushes I ruined with olive oil I was able to exchange and the woman from Sephora who told me to use olive oil on my brushes was immediately sent for a second training on brushes!! Even if olive oil was ok for your brushes (which it isn’t) she should have been promoting something Sephora sells!! Oh- AND the manager of the Sephora store comped me a big bottle of Philosophy Purity 🙂 I deserve it- I’ve racked up over 3,000 points in the last year 🙂
I used the Philosophy Purity for a while, and it is great. I happened to have a sample from Sephora, and after reading the ingredients, I decided it wasn’t a product I wanted to use on my face. Instead of throwing it out, I used it for my brushes. As good aa it was, though, itnis far too pricey to use for brushes (since I clean them nearly every day), and there are comparable products for far less.
I’ve tried Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap and thought it left my brushes feeling dry? I either use regular Dove bar soap or Kirkland hand dishwashing soap.
Beautyblender solid cleaner and the Sigma glove
I wash my brushes with Neutrogena facial wash (the makeup removal one). Baby shampoo, as I have heard through the rumor mill, is good too but I feel like I get a better clean with Neutrogena- go figure.
Sulfate-free shampoo to deep clean, Shu Uemura brush cleaner to spot clean.
Antibacterial dish soap and a touch of olive oil mixed until it’s kind of foamy.
I use Bath & Body Works Moisturizing Anti Bacterial soap in whatever scent I have at the sink. Cleaned and conditioned and handy. LOVE IT!!
Dawn with Olay liquid soap…cleaning is quick, easy, gentle, leaves my brushes soft and smells great.
I use Clinique’s brush cleaner and it isnt a soap form. From what I have heard, it isn’t good to use any kinda soap on your brushes because it causes bacteria to grow and causes the bristles to break off. Lasts a long time and isnt too costly. Hope this helps 🙂
Mainly baby shampoo! but Beauty Blender Cleanser or Quo purifying brush cleanser if I need a deeper clean.
Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap
Dr. Bronners unscented liquid Castile soap.
I USE OLIVE OIL AND DAWN, IT DOES WONDERS WITH THE REMOVAL OF FOUNDATION AND CREAM BASED STAINS FROM SPONGES AND WHITE TIPPED BRUSHES AND CONDITIONS THE BRUSHES…I SEEN A COUPLE YOUTUBE VIDS AND READ A COUPLE BLOGS FROM INDUSTRY ARTIST WHO USE THIS METHOD, AND ITS THE BEST THING IVE EVER TRIED.
For high end makeup brushes like Tom Ford bronzer brush and Wayne Goss brushes. What do you recommend to use to deep clean them once a week?
I use Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap!