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As the old saying goes, “never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”
But when it comes to cleaning our abundant collections of makeup tools, most of us fail to follow this golden rule.
After all, cleaning each tool and leaving it to dry can take ages! So it’s no wonder we often end up putting off this simple chore.
The bad news is, as harmless as it may appear, neglecting to clean brushes regularly can lead to breakouts and other alarming skin health issues.
So how do you sanitize your brushes without taking time out of your busy day? The solution is simple: get a makeup brush cleaning machine!
In this article, we’ll discuss what this device is, why it’s worth the investment, and how to spot a high-quality one. We’ll also share our top picks for the top makeup brush sanitizer machines below, so keep reading!
Editor's Choice
- Has strong cleaning power
- Cleans and dries brushes in 30 seconds
- Electric-powered motor
Premium Pick
- Self-washing
- Has UV sterilization feature
- Fits almost all brushes of different sizes
Budget Pick
- Cleans and dries in 30 seconds
- Gentle to each brush’s bristles
- Unbreakable plastic bowl
Table of Contents
- 1 What Is A Makeup Brush Cleaning Machine?
- 2 Why Do You Need a Makeup Brush Cleaning Machine?
- 3 Features of a Quality Makeup Brush Cleaning Machine
- 4 Top Makeup Brush Cleaner Machines That You Need
- 5 How To Use A Makeup Brush Cleaning Machine
- 6 Frequently Asked Questions
- 7 Say Goodbye to Germ-Filled Makeup Brushes!
What Is A Makeup Brush Cleaning Machine?
A makeup brush cleaner device is like a miniature dishwasher for your makeup brushes.
It’s designed to clean brushes quickly and efficiently, removing all traces of dirt, product residue, and bacteria.
Most makeup brush cleaner machines consist of three basic features:
- Motorized brush spinner — This provides the necessary agitation (a cleaning action that has an abrasive effect on the surface of the brush bristles) and friction to clean the brushes thoroughly. It may be electric or battery-operated.
- Cleaning bowl — This holds the water and the cleaning solution. It typically comes with ridges that aid in removing dirt and makeup residue.
- Brush attachments — Most machines offer different brush attachments that allow users to clean different types of brushes (foundation, eyeshadow, and powder brushes, among others).
Why Do You Need a Makeup Brush Cleaning Machine?
There are several reasons why you may want to consider buying a makeup brush cleaner and dryer machine.
Let us discuss them one by one.
Guarantees Thorough Cleaning
Using this type of machine guarantees a deeper and more thorough cleaning than washing your brushes by hand.
Why? It’s designed to facilitate advanced cleaning processes like agitation and friction to loosen and remove dirt, grime, and makeup residue from brush bristles.
Offers Ultimate Convenience
A makeup brush cleaner can save you time and effort by automating the cleaning process. No more wasting time manually washing, rinsing, and drying each brush!
Prolongs the Life Span of Brushes
Because this type of machine only takes less than a few minutes to clean brushes, it encourages users to wash their brushes regularly. This helps extend the longevity of each brush.
Ensures Good Hygiene
Concerned about recurring breakouts? The culprit behind them might be your dirty makeup brushes!
This is because grime and oil buildup on your brushes harden bristles and create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow and thrive.
So using dirty brushes not only irritates your skin with stiff bristles but also allows germs and bacteria to spread all throughout your face, causing fungal acne, skin infections, rashes, and other issues.
To avoid this, get a makeup brush cleaning machine! This device will help you maintain good hygiene and prevent the spread of infection-causing bacteria.
Enhances Color Payoff
Don’t like the color payoff of the eyeshadow you’re using? Your dirty makeup brushes may still have residue from the other products!
Applying and blending new eyeshadow colors using an unwashed brush will likely result in an unsightly, muddled finish. Yikes!
The good news is washing your brushes regularly with a makeup brush cleaner can help you achieve seamless blending and enjoy an intense, highly concentrated color payoff.
Features of a Quality Makeup Brush Cleaning Machine
All set to buy a makeup brush cleaning machine but don’t know which one to choose? Well, going on online shopping platforms without a guide won’t help; they’ll only bombard you with countless confusing options.
To help you get the right product for your needs, we’ve come up with a rundown of the features to look for when shopping for the top makeup brush cleaner.
Strong Cleaning Power
The cleaning machine you choose should be powerful enough to eliminate dirt, bacteria, oil, and product residue from your brushes in an instant.
The wattage or revolutions per minute (rpm) of a good makeup brush cleaning machine should have at least 100 watts of power or 1000 rpm, as machines with higher wattage generally deliver a more powerful cleansing action.
Wide Range of Brush Collar Sizes
Makeup brushes come in all shapes and sizes because they’re used for different areas of the face and various makeup techniques.
As such, a high-quality brush cleaning machine should provide brush collars or holders in different sizes to accommodate all your brushes.
Most models come with eight mounting collars, but there are others that offer more. If you’re a certified makeup fanatic with tons of tools, go for the latter!
Multiple Speed Settings
It’s best to choose a makeup brush cleaner model with speed control buttons and multiple speed settings.
The level of speed will determine how rigorously it will clean the brush as well as how quickly it will dry it.
Durable Material
A durable makeup brush cleaning machine is typically made of either stainless steel or silicone.
Stainless steel is durable and corrosion-resistant, making it easy to clean and maintain.
Likewise, silicone is sturdy and stain- and odor-resistant with an excellent resistance to extreme heat, which means it’s less prone to overheating even with frequent use.
Versatile Use
A top-notch makeup brush cleaning machine also typically has features like a dryer, which dries brushes quickly.
Some cleaning machines also come with a UV sterilizer that disinfects brushes efficiently.
These features are especially beneficial to those who use their brushes every day.
Low Noise Level
It’s also vital to consider the noise level of the machine if you plan on using it in a shared living space. We don’t want to attract unwanted attention when we’re minding our own business, do we?
While most makeup brush cleaners are powered by motors or pumps that generate some level of noise when used, some models are designed to operate quietly, featuring noise levels below 60 decibels.
These brush cleaners use quieter motors or soundproofing materials to reduce their noise levels.
You can go for devices like this if you or anyone in your home is sensitive to noise.
Top Makeup Brush Cleaner Machines That You Need
Looking for the top cleaner machine for your makeup brushes? Keep scrolling to see our top picks and choose one that suits your needs to a tee!
1
Clean your brushes without breaking a sweat with Stylpro’s Electric Makeup Brush Cleaner and Dryer!
Key Benefits: Cleans and dries brushes in 30 seconds; heat-, scratch- and stain-resistant; has strong cleaning power
Features:
- Electric-powered motor
- Unbreakable bowl
- 8 silicone brush collars
Get unmatched brush cleaning with this amazing device!
Want to avoid the hassle of cleaning and drying your makeup brushes manually?
You’re in luck because we’ve found the perfect product for you.
The STYLPRO Electric Makeup Brush Cleaner and Dryer helps you keep your tools well-sanitized without exerting too much effort because it has a high-quality motor that spins at a specific speed of 1800 to 2200 revolutions per minute!
This means it can clean dirt and oil off your brushes in seconds.
Plus, this device comes with silicone collars that can fit most types of makeup brushes.
It also has an unbreakable bowl that’s scratch-, stain-, and even heat-resistant. Totally worth purchasing!
2
In just 10 seconds, you can enjoy sparkling clean brushes with this device!
Key Benefits: Thoroughly cleans and dries in 10 seconds; easy to use; suitable for a wide range of makeup brushes
Features:
- Low-vibration design
- Has 8 flexible brush collars
- Battery-powered
Cleaning your makeup brushes has never been this fast and easy with Senbowe’s electronic makeup brush cleaning machine!
This amazing cleaning device from Senbowe removes cosmetic impurities like dirt and sebum from makeup brushes in just 10 seconds!
Plus, it comes with 8 flexible rubber brush collars that fit a wide variety of makeup brushes, namely those with measurements of
- 3mm,
- 5mm,
- 7mm,
- 10mm,
- 15mm,
- 18mm,
- 24mm, and
- 30mm.
What made this machine stand out for us in particular is that it’s a low-vibration device, so it doesn’t make loud noises while cleaning your brushes.
3
Say goodbye to dirty makeup brushes with the help of Selene’s makeup brush cleaner and dryer machine!
Key Benefits: Cleans and dries brushes in 30 to 40 seconds; works with any brush size; travel-friendly
Features:
- USB rechargeable or battery-powered
- Has 13 brush collars
- Features 3 spin speeds
With this device, you can get amazingly clean brushes that allow you to achieve flawless makeup!
This incredible product is considered one of the top brush cleaners for makeup tools because it comes with 13 collars, which means it can fit both large makeup brushes and small detailing brushes.
The best part? It can be powered by either batteries or electricity!
Plus, it also allows you to choose between high, medium, and low speeds to suit your brushes’ individual needs.
4
Your premium makeup brushes deserve only the best makeup brush cleaner from Luxe!
Key Benefits: Quick cleaning and drying; break-resistant bowl; easy to use
Features:
- Comes with a cleaning solution
- USB rechargeable
- Features 3 spin speeds
Keep breakouts at bay by ensuring that your makeup brushes are spotless and well-sanitized with this cleaner.
Enjoy effortless makeup brush cleaning with Luxe’s Makeup Brush Cleaner!
This allows you to sanitize your brushes thoroughly and effortlessly. It features three spinning speeds: high, medium, and low. So you can opt for either gentle or high-intensity cleaning, depending on your brushes’ needs.
For clumsy beauties who often drop their devices, great news: this machine also has an impact-resistant bowl, which means it can withstand frequent falls.
Plus, it comes with 8 brush collars that fit a wide variety of makeup brush sizes, an AC charging cable for quick and convenient charging, and a complimentary cleaning solution that is specifically formulated to clean germ-filled brushes.
5
Time to clean your brushes regularly with Dotsog’s Makeup Brush Cleaner!
Key Benefits: Cleans and dries fast; gentle to brush bristles; easy to use
Features:
- Battery-operated motor that enables high-speed rotation
- Collapsible bowl
- 8 rubber brush collars
With this brush cleaner, you won’t dread cleaning your germ-filled makeup tools!
You will forever have spotless and squeaky clean makeup brushes with this simple-to-use cleaner and dryer from Dotsog!
Don’t let its affordable price fool you — this machine is sturdy and reliable. It enables high-speed rotation which cleans and dries brushes in seconds.
It also comes with a 50 ml cleaning solution that can help you get rid of dirt and infectious germs from your makeup brushes.
6
Looking for an beginner-friendly machine that cleans makeup brushes without any hassle? This might be the product for you!
Key Benefits: Deeply cleanses and quickly dries; beginner-friendly; doesn’t ruin your brushes’ shape and softness
Features:
- Dual modes and dual speed settings
- Has strong cleaning power
- With LED indicator
The most exciting feature of this device is its LED indicator, which turns green for low speed and blue for high speed. Super convenient!
This makeup brush cleaner from Nicare makes it super easy for beginners to clean their brushes!
It features a switch that helps you choose between dual modes (one for cleaning brushes and one for drying) and dual rotation speed settings (low and high) for convenient operation.
What we love about this the most is that it has a strong cleaning power with a low rotation setting of 7600 rpm and a high rotation setting of 9600 rpm.
7
Wash away the dirt that’s trapped deep within your brushes with Fesmey’s Makeup Brush Automatic Cleaner!
Key Benefits: Cleans and dries in 30 seconds; easy to use; gentle on brush bristles bristles
Features:
- Battery-powered
- Has 8 rubber collars
- Unbreakable plastic bowl
This affordable brush cleaner machine will help keep your brushes in pristine condition for a long time.
From skinny lip to big powder brushes, you can conveniently clean and dry all your makeup brushes with this super affordable cleaner from Fesmey’s.
It has 8 rubber collars in different sizes that fit a variety of makeup brushes along with an unbreakable plastic bowl that ensures long-term use!
The package doesn’t come with batteries, so make sure you buy them separately to experience the convenience offered by this automatic brush cleaner machine.
8
Pack this travel-friendly electric makeup brush cleaner and dryer with you to ensure you have clean brushes wherever you are in the world!
Key Benefits: Quickly cleans and dries brushes in 10 seconds; travel-friendly, easy to store
Features:
- Uses a type C charging cable
- Has a collapsible silicone tank
- Has brush cleaning pads
This is super easy to store and use. Totally worth the price!
For those who have been searching far and wide for the top electric makeup brush cleaner on the market, we found the product that will surely fit your needs!
No need to spend on batteries; this device uses a type C charging cable for your convenience. Also, its silicone cleaning bowl is collapsible, which makes it easy to stash away in your travel bags.
Apart from drying wet brushes in as fast as 10 seconds, it can also remove oil-based foundation, concealer, and other products.
How? It has a textured pad at the bottom of the cleaning tank that scrubs off difficult-to-remove residue from each brush it cleans!
8
Pack this travel-friendly electric makeup brush cleaner and dryer with you to ensure you have clean brushes wherever you are in the world!
Key Benefits: Quickly cleans and dries brushes in 10 seconds; travel-friendly, easy to store
Features:
- Uses a type C charging cable
- Has a collapsible silicone tank
- Has brush cleaning pads
This is super easy to store and use. Totally worth the price!
This cosmetic brush cleaner from Alyfini uses a high-quality motor with a rotational frequency of 80 rotations per minute.
While it’s not as fast as other cleaning machines on this list, it delivers gentle, thorough cleansing that’s perfect for brushes with delicate bristles.
It can also effectively remove residue from powder-based products in about 30 seconds and cream-based products in 1 minute.
Its large silicone spin cleaning bowl fits cosmetic brushes of all sizes and allows you to clean multiple brushes at the same time.
Plus, it’s easy to operate because it is a one-button machine that enables you to turn it on and off at any desired time.
10
We found a makeup brush cleaner that allows you to clean your brushes without holding them!
Key Benefits: Cleans and dries fast; fits almost all brushes of different sizes; self-washing
Features:
- Comes with a Type C cable
- Has a convenient switch button
- Has UV sterilization feature
If you’re looking for ultra-convenient cleaning, this premium brush cleaner is totally a great match for you!
This premium-quality makeup brush cleaner by Miss Bella is a favorite among those who prioritize convenience above all else!
This device allows you to conveniently clean and dry your tools hands-free.
Yes, you read it right! All you need to do is insert your brushes into their designated collar and put them into the machine and let it do its job.
The best part? It sanitizes your brushes and kills germs and bacteria effectively thanks to its UV sterilization feature. Definitely worth your money!
How To Use A Makeup Brush Cleaning Machine
Already have a great makeup brush cleaner but don’t know how to use it?
Don’t worry; below is a quick guide on how to use one.
Step 1: Fill the Bowl With a Water-and-Cleaning-Solution Mixture
Fill the bowl that comes with the makeup brush cleaner set with water until it’s half-full.
Then add a few drops of the cleanser that comes with your makeup brush cleaning machine.
If your machine doesn’t come with a complimentary cleaning solution, get a store-bought one like the Cinema Secrets Professional Makeup Brush Cleaner, or use mild shampoo into the water instead.
Step 2: Insert the Brush Into the Collar
There are makeup brush cleaner sets that come with 8 or more brush collars. Choose the collar that your makeup brush can fit into perfectly, so it doesn’t fly off while the machine is spinning.
Then insert the brush into the collar.
Step 4: Insert the Motorized Brush Spinner Into the Collar
Once the brush is attached to the collar, push the spinner into the collar.
Then submerge the brush bristles into the water and cleaning solution mixture. Swirl the brush around a few times to get rid of some of the makeup residue.
Step 5: Turn on the Machine
Depending on the model of your machine, there may be different settings to choose from. Select the appropriate setting for the type of brush you’re cleaning.
Go for a low setting if you’re cleaning a small brush with narrow bristles, and a high setting if you’re cleaning a large brush with thick bristles.
Step 6: Let the Machine Do the Work
Allow the machine to run for the recommended amount of time, which is usually around 30 seconds to a minute.
Step 7: Dry the Brushes
After your brush has been thoroughly cleaned, remove it from the water, but don’t remove it from the bowl yet. This way, the bowl can catch some of the water soaked up by the bristles.
Then turn on the machine’s drying function to make the brushes spin at a high speed and dry quickly as a result.
Want to see these steps in action? Check out this tutorial video on how to use a makeup brush cleaning machine:
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should You Wash Your Makeup Brushes?
It’s generally recommended to wash makeup brushes used around the eyes and on your face at least once a week. This will help remove dirt and bacteria that can build up over time.
Brushes used to apply powder or blush should also be cleaned after each use.
Brushes used for darker products like foundation, bronzer, and eyeshadow tend to absorb more product, so they should be washed every two weeks.
Finally, sponges and other applicators should be replaced weekly due to their porous nature, which makes them a great breeding ground for bacteria.
Can You Use Regular Soap to Clean Makeup Brushes?
Makeup brushes generally require more thorough cleaning than regular soap can provide.
Additionally, soap often leaves behind residue that may interfere with the application of your makeup.
If you do decide to wash your brushes with regular soap, be sure to rinse them thoroughly and let them air dry completely before using them again.
Remember, though, that it’s still best to use a cleanser designed specifically for makeup brushes that can effectively remove dirt, oil, and bacteria from brush bristles without leaving residue.
Say Goodbye to Germ-Filled Makeup Brushes!
Even if you have the most expensive makeup tools or boast the most amazing makeup skills, you won’t get the flawless makeup look you want if you have grimy makeup brushes caked in dirt and residue.
As such, it’s important to clean your brushes regularly.
To save yourself the trouble of washing your brushes one by one, go ahead and choose a makeup brush cleaning machine from our list of featured products above!
Getting this device will make it easier for you to clean and dry your brushes thoroughly and effortlessly. Plus, it will also keep skin problems caused by dirty brushes at bay.
We promise it’s worth the investment!
Want Flawless Makeup?
Read these articles for more helpful tips:
- 14 Types Of Makeup Styles + How To Recreate Them
- How To Apply Foundation, Concealer, and Primer
Janille Gultiano Jan, a distinguished freelance makeup artist, also boasts a BA in Mass Communication, laying the foundation for her diverse talents. For over four years, she's carved a niche as a captivating content writer, with her articles resonating in various spheres. Beyond writing, her expertise extends to crafting robust Public Relations and Corporate Communications strategies. Each endeavor reflects Jan's unique blend of creativity and precision View all posts