Here’s a quick post on what is easily becoming one of my favorite makeup “tools,” the Ellana Minerals Makeup Brush Cleaner.* I got this from the generous people at Ellana Minerals, during their brand re-launch.
A little backstory: I’ve used up my last spot cleaner, but haven’t been on the prowl for a replacement, so I’ve been deep cleaning my brushes every once in a while. I noticed some of my brushes—particularly the MAC 217—were feeling dry and some of the hair would break off. I assumed it was the alcohol in the other brush cleaner, so I stopped using it, but then it would be such a hassle to deep clean all the brushes every time they got dirty.
So this is kind of a godsend for me.
The first thing I noticed was that there was no “cooling effect” that alcohol-based spot cleaners have. I checked out the ingredients, and lo—there was no alcohol… But what did they use to clean the brushes and disinfect them? Here are the ingredients of this product:
— Cyclopentasiloxane — a type of silicone that’s typically used for hair conditioning.
— Tea Tree Extracts — traditionally used as a topical antiseptic and antifungal treatment.
— Triclosan — this is a controversial ingredient these days (it absorbs into the bloodstream upon contact, apparently), but it is an antibacterial and antifungal agent.
— Fragrance (Cucumber Melon!)
— Phenoxyethanol — a bactericide or disinfectant.
I have to look into these ingredients more, but I appreciate the immediate, good first impression and results of this product, generally. I find that it takes a while for the formula to actually break down some of the darker, richer pigments, though it does get there eventually. 🙂 I feel like my brushes are better protected and taken care of.
RE: the ingredients list that I can’t pronounce—I am a little more lenient with this because it’s for use with tools and not on my actual face, but there. We shall see how this works out long-term.
* PR Sample. Ellana Minerals is a cruelty-free company.
Softly Sometimes 
Nothing like a brush cleanser on the road, but I do like recognizing the ingredients as well. Makes it easier to use the brushes on other people without them breaking out!
That’s true! Thankfully, I do not need to test it on people as I don’t put makeup on others. 😀
I need this in my life o_0
Be happy to send you a bottle, if you’d like! This is super cheap, about $9 for 120ml. 🙂
I have J&C bottles to use up, but I will try this next! 🙂
I used to use J&C but it’s alcohol-based and I noticed some damage on some of my brushes, so I didn’t repurchase it. Hope you’ll like Ellana’s once you’ve tried it. 🙂
I love this too! I was so surprised when Theresa said it’s silicone-based! First time for me to hear of such a thing for makeup brush cleaner. Brush cleaners are usually alcohol-based or has ingredients that work like paint solvent.
Me also! I don’t like alcohol-based spot cleaners talaga. 😦
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