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Easy, quick, and cost-effective, this method for a homemade makeup brush cleaner works wonders. You’ll never need to buy new makeup brushes again!
It’s one of those essential tasks on every woman’s to-do list that always gets pushed to the back of the pile.
Enter: Cleaning makeup brushes! It needs doing – but we rarely do it often enough!
I’m embarrassed to admit that I don’t clean mine that frequently. Though, to be true to me – they don’t get much usage either.
Still, it’s better to be safe than sorry regarding hygiene. So – makeup brush cleaning it is!
This homemade makeup brush cleaner is a great way to spruce up brushes that haven’t been cared for in a while.
You know the ones. All clogged up with debris and dried makeup (yuck.)
Eventually, they’ll be so stiff that they become unusable and would usually get tossed out. Yet all you need to do is give them a clean!
Discover my homemade makeup brush cleaner recipe in this post. It contains just two ingredients and takes almost no time to make.
You’ll have clean makeup brushes ready to use in a flash!
What is Makeup Brush Cleaner?
A homemade makeup brush cleaner is designed for gentle yet effective cleaning of makeup brushes. It’s important to regularly wash out dirt, oil, old makeup, and other grime to keep your brushes in good shape and avoid the dirty build-up touching your skin.
It’s an easy, no-fuss method that saves time and money and simplifies your life. You only need two simple, natural ingredients to make it.
Using a DIY version of makeup brush cleaner will save money and help keep makeup brushes looking and working at their best.
Why You’ll Love It
- It’s gentler on your makeup brushes (and therefore your skin!). A homemade makeup brush cleaner can extend the lifetime of makeup brushes while not irritating your skin when applying makeup. Win-win!
- It’s affordable to make and use. You only need one ingredient to make this recipe, so you’ll save money vs. buying a store-bought makeup cleaner.
- It’s customizable. You can go for an unscented makeup brush cleaner or add some essential oils to bring on some fragrance. You choose!
What You’ll Need
- Water: Warm water works the best to loosen build-up on the brushes.
- Castile soap: This natural, plant-based soap is great for a wide variety of cleaning purposes. It is gentle on the skin, making it perfect for makeup brushes.
- A bowl: Adding the soap and water to a bowl allows you to swirl the brushes in the cleaner and wash them more effectively.
- Towel: Keep a clean towel handy to dry the makeup brushes after they’ve been washed.
How to Make Homemade Makeup Brush Cleaner
Step 1. Combine a teaspoon of soap with 1/4 cup of water in a small bowl (warm water works best).
Step 2. Swirl the brush tip in the soap while pressing on the sides of the bowl until the makeup debris comes off, then rinse under cool water. Repeat step 2 until the water runs clear.
Step 3. Pat the bristles dry. Ensure they keep their shape and place them on a towel to dry.
Step 4. Allow the makeup brushes to dry fully before using.
Expert Tips
- In my experience, leaving makeup brushes to dry for at least 12 hours is worthwhile (have you ever tried applying makeup with a wet brush? Gross!).
- It’s important to keep the bases of your makeup brushes out of the water when cleaning. Dip the bristles in the water, avoiding the handle and base.
- Try, if you can, to get into a habit of cleaning makeup brushes once a week. This will really help your brushes last that much longer and prevent your skin from being irritated by crusty makeup debris.
- This is a one-time use cleaning solution – so once you’ve cleaned your brushes, throw it out.
FAQs
There is no clear answer to how long makeup brushes last, but you can definitely help them last longer by cleaning them regularly and looking after them. My best advice is if you have kids – keep your makeup brushes away from them! Little fingers love to pull out the bristles or, worse, pop them in their mouths. Saying that, I have some makeup brushes which are years old and still going strong!
I recommend cleaning makeup brushes once a week. This is so they stay fresh and work better for you, plus you avoid passing unnecessary bacteria onto your skin. Makeup brushes are notorious for harboring dirt and grime. So giving them the cleaning they (and your skin) deserve is a non-negotiable!
Yes, castile soap is considered a very gentle soap, making it ideal for use on sensitive skin. While the soap doesn’t directly touch the skin in this application, the residue that is left on the brushes can affect the skin. All the more reason to make your own cleaner; you can know exactly what’s in it!
Related Content
- DIY makeup remover
- All-natural foundation
- Homemade eyeshadow
- DIY setting powder and setting spray
- Smudge-free mascara
If you tried this Makeup Brush Cleaner or any other tutorial on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Makeup Brush Cleaner Recipe
Ingredients
- Warm water
- Castile Soap, scented or unscented as you prefer
- Towel
Instructions
- Combine a teaspoon of soap with 1/4 cup of water in a small bowl (warm water works best)
- Swirl the brush tip in the soap while pressing on the sides of the bowl until the makeup debris comes off, then rinse under cool water.
- Repeat step 2 until the water runs clear.
- Pat dry bristles, making sure they still keep their shape and place them on a towel to dry.
- In my experience, leaving makeup brushes to dry for at least 12 hours is worthwhile (have you ever tried applying makeup with a wet brush? It’s grim!)
Notes
- In my experience, leaving makeup brushes to dry for at least 12 hours is worthwhile (have you ever tried applying makeup with a wet brush? Gross!).
- It’s important to keep the bases of your makeup brushes out of the water when cleaning. Dip the bristles in the water, avoiding the handle and base.
- Try, if you can, to get into a habit of cleaning makeup brushes once a week. This will really help your brushes last that much longer and prevent your skin from being irritated by crusty makeup debris.
- This is a one-time use cleaning solution – so once you’ve cleaned your brushes, throw it out.
