Cleaning your makeup brushes and sponges is a necessary but tedious task. I know a lot of people put it off, reuse dirty brushes or just don't clean them. I met a few people who don't clean them because they don't know how to. So today I am going to give a review of my latest cleaner from EcoTools and a little tutorial on how to clean them properly. Because honestly, I just can't handle seeing people submerge their whole brushes in video anymore, or people use crusty, dirty brushes.
First up, parts of the brush. There are three basic parts to every brush: the bristles, the handle and in between the ferrule. The ferrule is the metal part that holds the bristles together and to the brush (there is also the crimp, which is where the ferrule is pressed tight). That being said, it is filled with glue to get that job done. The number one thing to know is that you do not want to get water into the ferrule. If you do that glue will dissolve over time, and your brush bristles will fall out. It is not good.
SOOO....Don't submerge your brushes in a bowl; just dip the bristles in the water and soap.
Steps to clean your brushes
- Hold brush bristles downward to prevent water from seeping into the ferrule (metal part).
- Wet only the bristles with lukewarm water — avoid soaking the handle or ferrule.
- Apply brush cleanser or gentle soap to a cleaning mat or your palm.
- Swirl the brush gently to loosen makeup and oils.
- Rinse bristles downward under running water until water runs clear.
- Gently squeeze out excess water with a clean towel.
- Reshape the bristles while damp.
- Dry brushes with bristles facing down — use a brush rack or prop them at an angle to keep water out of the ferrule (I like to use a towel that I have rolled one side up to create a slope) or flat (but downward is better).
- Space them out so air can circulate around each brush.
- Let them air dry completely before storing or using again.
EcoTools Makeup Cleaner For Brushes, Brush and Sponge Cleansing Shampoo
Ingredients: WATER (AQUA, EAU), DECYL GLUCOSIDE, SODIUM LAURYL SULFOACETATE, LAURYL GLUCOSIDE, GLYCERIN, PHENOXYETHANOL, SODIUM PHYTATE, CITRIC ACID, POTASSIUM SORBATE
I also found it really great at getting my sponges clean. I often struggle to get foundation out of sponges, but it made the job slightly better, which is a win for me.
The formula is Fragrance-Free, Vegan, and free of parabens, phthalates, sulphates, and petroleum-based ingredients.
My brushes felt great once they dried., I have tried other shampoos (the very famous baby one) that left any natural brushes I had feeling dry.
Pros:
- Cleans brushes well
- Rinses well
- Fragrance-free
- Uses less product
- Under $20 CAD
Cons:
- None
Overall:
I have countless brushes in my possession. I tend to use them and put them aside to be cleaned and wait until my pile is a gigantic bin full (seriously, I have not counted my brushes, but I suspect I have over 300 of them). All this means I have cleaned a lot of brushes in my day, and I still hate it, but a good cleaner makes it quicker and easier to do while keeping your brushes in the best shape possible, and that is exactly what this shampoo does.
*This product was provided for review; all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!
0 comments