We Aim To Slay

I think many people can relate to this sentiment – my makeup brushes get a lot of use, and I probably need to wash them more often!

Late this past summer when I went to wash my brushes, only to find out that I was at the end of the container. I washed as many brushes as I could and went to place a new order to replace the Sephora Solid Brush and Sponge Cleaner with Pad ($16) – only to find out it’s no longer stocked! 

Finding a Replacement

Having tried a slew of cleaning processes including hand washing and using mechanical cleaners (Miracleaner Makeup Brush Cleaner & the Sephora Brand cleaner) I decided it was time to try a new product and landed on the Solid Lavender Scented Sponge and Brush Cleaner by Beauty Blender ($18)!

Before selecting this cleaner, I looked into the Ulta Brand Brush & Sponge Cleansing Solid Soap ($10), and even though the price was tempting, it did not come with it’s own scrubby brush and so I decided to go in another direction. 

It only took about a week for the product to arrive after placing my order, but while I waited I did some research!

According to their website, this cleaner is a “super-concentrated blend of sustainable palm oils, nourishing aloe and coconut oil helps lift grime, rinses clean and conditions your most valuable tools,” and is “formulated without parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.”

How To Use

To use a solid brush cleaner, you want to start by getting the solid bar, scrubby brush, and the bristles of your brush (or your sponge) wet. 

Then you’ll want to use the brush to get a good lather going on the cleanser bar. Once achieved, you’ll begin using the scrubby brush to actually scrub your makeup brush. To make this scrubbing process easier, I like to place my scrubby brush into the cap of the product container!

I continue to add cleanser and to scrub until the bristles rinse away clean. Then I wipe off the bristles on a dry towel, and place the brush flat to dry. Since using the Sephora brand solid cleaner – first purchased around this time last year – I have really enjoyed the portability and ease of use that comes with a solid cleaner! And, I’ve found that my brushes are generally dry after one night, although I prefer to let them dry for a full 24 hours. 

Final Thoughts

This past weekend I finally tested it out!

As soon as I opened the packaging I could smell the lavender scent and I’m not even mad! I was curious, and a tad worried, that the scent would transfer to the brushes and sponges, but I am glad to report that the scent does not linger!

First impressions – I don’t hate it. It took quite a bit longer to get a good lather going on the Beauty Blender brand, and I didn’t find the scrubby brush to be as effective. Not only did it not scrub my sponges as well as the Sephora scrubby, but it actually ate my Sephora brand sponge (which happens to be my favorite). 

I think it worked best on my eyeshadow brushes but it struggled with my foundation brush, leaving a significant amount of product still in the bristles. 

The following day I spent several hours crafting some Halloween looks for an upcoming blog post and finished up by cleaning those brushes. I substituted the Beauty Blender scrubby for the Sephora brand scrubby, and I think it worked much better! I also cleaned my foundation brush again, and it’s finally clean! I’m not sure if that’s because I washed it closer to the end of the set this time and already had a good amount of lather built up, or, because it was the second cleansing. Only time will tell!

But for now, I have a full set of freshly cleaned brushes – at least until I created my next look!

What Do You Think?

What is your favorite method for cleaning your makeup brushes? Let me know in the comments below!

I’ll be back next week to share how I’m packing for my first cross country, camping trip as an International titleholder – our first preliminary pageant is being held in Mississippi!

Have a great rest of your week, and remember to SLAY!