DIY Brush Cleaner

 I have been making my own makeup essentials for the past couple of months including makeup remover and brush cleaner.  I find that these 2 products I tend to run out faster than the rest of my makeup products.  These things are expensive especially when you use these products on a daily basis and when you are professional makeup artist. 

I found this recipe on the web originally from Enkore Makeup (youtube beauty guru) I actually added the Witch Hazel (found out that my Smashbox Brush Cleaner has this ingredient in it).  When I make brush cleaner I usually double up on the measurements to make one large batch and then distribute in large bottles. Since I use brush cleaner almost every day making a lot was a better idea than having to keep making a small batch every week.  This recipe is great for deep cleaning and fast spot cleaning, I will demonstrate both methods.  

The ingredient brands are up to you, personally I like to use more natural ingredients.  All the ingredients that I used can be found at Target and are very inexpensive.  Check your local Dollar Store for supplies to mix your ingredients or for empty travel spray bottles to store the liquid.  I get all my little containers and bottles at Daiso, a Japanese dollar store (everything is actually $1.50, but the quality is very good). 

Mix the following ingredients together in a large container (I like to use a small pitcher that I designate just for making brush cleaner. The spout makes it easier to fill bottles:
- 1 cup of distilled/purified water
- 1/4 cup of 70% isopropyl alcohol
- 1/2 tbsp dish soap (I used J.R. Watkins Natural Home Care Dish Soap Grapefruit)
- 1/2 tbsp gentle shampoo (I used Comforts For Baby Body Wash/Shampoo - Mild Hypoallergenic Tear Free)
- 1 tbsp of leave-in conditioner (I used Pantene, this will help keep the hair of your brushes soft)

-2 tbsp of Witch Hazel
 

Gently stir to prevent suds from forming. If you do get foam just fill your bottles at an angle, the foam will stay in the pitcher. 

You can always twerk the recipe to your liking.  Don't add too much alcohol or else it will dry out your brushes and don't use too much soap as it will leave your brushes soapy if you are using it as a spot cleaner.  

all the  ingredients I used 

different bottles  to store the brush cleaner in

 To spot clean just squirt a little bit of liquid onto a paper towel.

 Take the brush and wipe it back and forth until all the pigment comes off the brush.  You will see the makeup on the paper towel.

 Deep cleaning is great if you have a ton of brushes that need to be cleaned.  I like to deep clean my personal brushes at least every other week or until I feel they are getting yuck. Place your brushes in some sort of cup or jar.

 Fill the jar with your home made brush cleanser do not exceed past the silver part of the brush (ferrule).  The bristles/hairs should be emerged in the cleaner.  For now the liquid is clear... just wait

 Swish the brushes around until you see the liquid turn color... YUCK!

 Look what the brushes left behind.. just think of all the build up if you haven't washed your brushes for lets say a month!! ACK!

Rinse your brushes with warm water while shaping the hairs.  Lay flat to dry over a table edge so that the brush head can dry all around. Do not place your brushes back into a cup or holder the water will fall into the ferrrule (silver part of the brush that holds the hairs together with glue).  Once water gets in there the glue becomes loose and hairs will start to fall off. 

---> these are my professional brushes I take with me on location.

I have used this recipe for almost 3 months now and I have not had any problems with my brushes.  I use my personal brushes every day so they do get a lot of use.  I love how it smells and it cleans my brushes very well.  Give this recipe a try, you will not need to buy brush cleanser ever again!!!

P.S. I will post my DIY makeup remover next week.. :) I love making my own makeup products!  If you have any recipes that you would like to share... please share away! :)