This automatic makeup brush cleaner will change your life

Now there’s no excuse for using dirty brushes

Beauty Crew Beauty Writer / May 25 2017

There’s something incredibly satisfying about applying makeup with freshly washed brushes. But despite the perks, I, and I’m sure many of you, don’t experience that sensation anywhere near as often as recommended because cleaning your makeup brushes regularly is such a chore.

We all know the risks from using dirty makeup brushes: the build-up of bacteria on unclean bristles can clog pores and may lead to acne, and leftover product that clings to the bristles can irritate skin. Not to mention it can lead to premature ageing by causing an imbalance between the production of free radicals and your skins ability to counteract them, resulting in a loss of collagen and elastin.

The general consensus from experts is that you should be cleaning your brushes at least twice a week. But since the likelihood of that actually happening for many of us is slim to none, it’s brilliant news that American brand, Lilumia has developed an automatic makeup brush cleaner, which essentially works as a washing machine for your cosmetic tools.

To work the machine, simply fill up the textured silicone cleaning disc at the bottom of the pod with warm water and liquid soap before placing up to 12 brushes upside down into the caddy. The cleaning process involves washing the brushes first by rotating them back and forth over the disc before three rinse cycles take place. The whole process takes 15 minutes, after which the brushes can be set aside to air-dry.

Whilst it almost sounds too good to be true, you may want to note that the device will be an investment as it will set you back US$154 (which translates to approximately AUD$200) and another $50 to ship it to Australia. But when you think about the time and effort it will save you, and the good it will do your skin, were happy to splurge.

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to Lilumia’s makeup brush washing machine however, celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic recently shared his go-to method for cleaning his plethora of brushes. Simply combine a few drops of tea tree oil to a small amount of Johnson’s Baby Shampoo and you’re all set to clean away!

Image credit: Getty; @makeupbymario

Kate started working for BEAUTYcrew in early 2016, first as a contributor, and was then named Beauty Writer in 2017. She loves picking the brains of the industry's top experts to get to the bottom of beauty's toughest questions. Bronze eyeshadow palettes are her weakness and she's forever on the hunt for the perfect nude nail polish to suit her fair skin. Her words can also be found in Men's Health magazine, and she now works in PR.