After weeks of helping you with your everyday makeup — and, at this time of year, perhaps a costume or two — your brushes and beauty sponges have probably been put through the wringer. At this point, they’re soaked with product and not doing your skin any favours. When this happens to me, I reach for one product: the EcoTools Makeup Brush + Sponge Shampoo.
The gentle, eco-friendly formula lathers up to its full sudsy potential within seconds and rinses clean without leaving any residue behind. If you’re tired of relying on hand soap and want something specifically designed for the job, this is definitely worth adding to your cart.
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty.
Key Specs
- Formula: Liquid Cleanser
- Bottle size: 6 fl. oz. | 177 mL
- Fragrance: Fragrance-Free
- Packaging: Recycled
- Free Of: Parabens, Phthalates, Sulphates, Petroleum-Based Ingredients
- Other Notable Details: Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Eco-Friendly
My review of the EcoTools Makeup Brush + Sponge Shampoo
The EcoTools Makeup Brush + Sponge Shampoo is not new to me; I’ve actually been using it for many years, and that, dear friends, is why I feel qualified to tell you: you need this cleanser.
Before I discovered it, I was mostly alternating between household detergents and Beautyblender Blender Cleanser for my brushes and sponges. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more diligent about washing my brushes — partly because I’m proud to admit I’m more responsible, and partly because, sadly, my skin simply can’t handle dirty brushes anymore (I hated breakouts as a teenager, and I hate them even more in my 30s). That’s when I realized a consistent routine was essential, and I decided to stick to one product on my cleaning days. This was it.
What do I love about the EcoTools Makeup Brush + Sponge Shampoo? Simply put, it gets the job done. It lathers immediately on contact with water and effortlessly removes every trace of makeup from my brushes. You can order it with a cute monstera leaf cleansing pad, but I use my vibrating FOREO cleansing brush from over four years ago, which makes the process even easier. That gadget was a separate, costly investment, so know that you don’t need it, I just use what I already have.
I also appreciate the mild scent and how long the bottle lasts; a little goes a long way. The cruelty-free, eco-friendly formula is another big win in my books: it’s PETA-certified, vegan, and the packaging is tree-free, with bottles made from recycled plastic.
The drawbacks of the EcoTools Makeup Brush + Sponge Shampoo
If you’re someone who typically cleans your makeup brushes with hand soap or detergent, this brush cleaner might feel like a bit of a splurge. However, if you usually reach for luxury brush cleansers that fall within the range of $20-$30, as I did, the price is quite reasonable — it really depends on what you’re willing to spend.
Another minor consideration is the scent. While it’s labelled fragrance-free, it does have a very faint, detergent-like smell. It’s not overpowering and doesn’t linger on the brushes, but it’s worth noting if you’re extremely scent-sensitive. Most reviewers couldn’t detect any scent at all, and those who did found it mild and non-irritating — just something to keep in mind.
My final thoughts on the EcoTools Makeup Brush + Sponge Shampoo
If you’re looking for an affordable makeup brush cleaner that lathers well and has a gentle, clean formula, this is a great choice. It effectively cleans bristles, leaving them soft, fluffy, and ready for use.
EcoTools Makeup Brush + Sponge Shampoo Pros
- Suds up well
- Clean scent
- Removes all traces of makeup from brushes
EcoTools Makeup Brush + Sponge Shampoo Cons
- More expensive than hand soap/no-name detergents
What are reviewers saying about the EcoTools Makeup Brush + Sponge Shampoo?
Reviewers are loyal fans of the EcoTools Makeup Brush + Sponge Shampoo, which holds an impressive average rating of 4.5 stars across 50,737 reviews. Users praise its effectiveness, quality, and rich lather, noting that it leaves brushes feeling as good as new. A very small minority (around 3%) found stronger detergents or hand soap more effective, but the vast majority reported excellent results with this product.
