There are several important things to keep in mind when choosing a makeup brush cleanser. First, avoid using anything as strong as sulfate-based dish soap. “Regular soaps can dry out brushes made of natural hair,” King said. So while dish soap can technically clean bristles, it won’t help make your brushes last longer.
Next, just do no shampoo. “Some common shampoos will do the job, but they may contain artificial fragrances that can trigger sensitive skin or detergents that are difficult to wash off completely or are washed off our waterways,” Pattinkin explained. “Really rich shampoos can leave a coating on the surface of your brush that will reduce the weight of the bristles and affect how your makeup blends.”
As a general rule, look for something specially designed to clean your makeup brush or extra mild, scented soap or shampoo. Our top pick Patinkin made his own: Luxurious Vegan Makeup Brush Soap. “I have specially designed my soap so that it can be used quickly and efficiently and without any harm to the planet. It cleans your brushes very quickly and washes away without the need for other soaps and cleansers, ”Pattinkin said.
Other great options include this makeup brush cleansing shampoo from Ecotools or this baby shampoo from Pipette. If you want to DIY your brush cleaner, you can make a wash with olive oil, liquid castile soap and diluted white vinegar. If you are interested, here is a tutorial on how to make that mixture.