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Confession:I’ve been making a bigbeauty mistake and didn’t even know it.
Last month, while visitingone of my favorite natural shops (essential oils, herbs, organic makeup–it’s a “crunchy mama” utopia) I overheard the herbalist on dutytalking to a fellow customerabout breakouts–the little unwanted guests that randomly pop-up on the face. The conversation instantly caught my attention. I quickly and very politely jumped in, “I’m not sure why my skin still breaks out at the most random moments. My diet is super clean, I drink a ton of water and make my own homemade products. Any tips?” The herbalist looked at meand asked asimple, yet skin-changing question, “Do you clean your makeup brushes?”
Lightbulb moment!
I’m embarrassed toadmitthat I’d never thought about cleaning my makeup brushes. Big mistake. As it turns out, cleaning makeup brushes is a pretty important task that can preventbacteria from spreading on the skin.
Bacteria = breakouts.
Breakouts = makeup brush contamination.
Makeup brush contamination = more breakouts.
It’s a nasty cycle.
My search for the ultimate brush cleaner began.
There are a number of store-bought brush cleaner options, and there are also a number of DIY tutorials on Pinterest. Most of the ingredients used in both the store-bought and “homemade” versions are far from natural, in my opinion. I decided to createmy ownhomemade brush cleaner. Take that Pinterest– PS: I still love you! With a few basic ingredients, which I already had on hand for DIY beauty products, I was able to easily whip up a natural solution.
The moment of truth came as I dipped my foundation powderbrush into the solution. You guys, the resulting liquid was disgusting–oil, dirt, months worth of makeup! To say that I’m now a brush cleaning advocate is an understatement. Trust me, just try it once–dip your makeup brush in a few simple ingredients–your beauty routine will forever be changed.
From what I’ve read, most makeup professionals recommend cleaning brushes daily, particularly the ones used for foundation and blush. Daily feels a bit overwhelming and far from “simple,” so I’m practicing a twice a week system. Baby steps! Some cleaning at this point is much better than no cleaning at all. I’m now going on four weeks of thisroutine. My makeup brushes are incredibly soft and my skin feels clean. Bottom line: Do it! Clean your brushes. ASAP.
My homemade brush cleaner recipe works for any cleaning schedule since it makes enough solution for soaking sessions (my preferred method of cleaning) or daily spraying. Whichever method you choose, go with something that’s doable for you.
Happy Cleaning!
I recently added to this post with a tutorial on how to clean makeup brushes with this DIY recipe. Check out the updated post here.
4.41 from 10 votes
My homemade brush cleaner recipe works for any cleaning schedule since it makes enough solution for soaking sessions (my preferred method of cleaning) or daily spraying. Whichever method you choose, go with something that’s doable for you.
Kristin Marr
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Total Time5 minutes mins
Course DIY
Cuisine Cleaning
Servings 1 1/2 cups
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup witch hazel
- 2 tsp baby mild castile soap
- 1 tsp skin-nourishing oil like almond or olive oil, optional
- 1 cup distilled water
Instructions
In a bottle or mason jar, combine all the ingredients in the order listed (the recipe). Shake the bottle. This solution may be used multiple times to clean brushes. Store the mixture in the fridge.
Combine as much of the mixture needed in a bowl. Add your makeup brushes to the mixture. I like to swish the brushes back in forth in the mixture and then let them soak for a few minutes. The mixture will go from clear to a dirty makeup mixture quickly. After a few minutes, remove the brushes, dump the solution, and rinse the brushes under the water.
Let the brushes rest on a towel to dry. Repeat weekly or twice a month to keep your brushes clean.
Video
Notes
If you'd prefer to make just enough for a one-time solution, here's what I recommend:
1/8 cup witch hazel
1/2 tsp baby mild castile soap
1/4 cup distilled water
(optional) 1/4 tsp carrier oil, like grapeseed or olive oil
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
When you introduce water into a product without a preservative you always run the risk of introducing bacteria, so use water-based products quickly.
Kristin Marr
Kristin is the creator and editor-in-chief of Live Simply. Kristin is married to her high school sweetheart, Dustin, and is the mom to two kids and two free-roam (litterbox-trained) bunnies, Leo and Estela. Kristin started Live Simply in 2013 to share her passion for real food and natural living.