Q&A for How to Make Your Own Makeup Brush Cleanser

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Question

When do you clean dirty makeup brushes?

Katya Gudaeva
Professional Makeup Artist
Katya Gudaeva is a Professional Makeup Artist and the Founder of Bridal Beauty Agency based in Seattle, Washington. She has worked in the beauty industry for over 10 years and worked with companies such as Patagonia, Tommy Bahama, and Barneys New York and with clients such as Amy Schumer, Macklemore, and Train.

Katya Gudaeva

Professional Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

I like to wash my makeup brushes once a week. I do them all at once, that way I don't have to keep track of clean ones and dirty ones.

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Question

Can I use coconut oil instead of olive oil?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

Yes, you can! In fact, I would recommend using coconut oil over olive oil. It's fine to use around the eyes and on the skin and it does a much better job of removing makeup.

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Question

Can I use a face cleanser instead of baby shampoo to wash my brushes?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. Face cleansers have the additional benefit of disinfecting your brushes.

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Question

Can I substitute vegetable oil for olive oil to clean my brushes?

Community Answer

Yes. Using vegetable oil will clean the brushes, but might not make them as soft as the olive oil would.

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Question

Can I use almond oil?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

I have never tested this out as I'm allergic to nuts. I would test it out on your skin first. Rub some on your wrist to make sure you don't have a reaction. If you're fine, try using it to remove eye makeup. I say eye because you want to know if it irritates your eyes. See how well it removes your makeup directly from your face because if it doesn't do a good job at that, it surely won't clean your brushes!

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Question

My brushes still have oil on them after drying. What can I do?

Community Answer

After washing the brushes with soap and water, soak them in toothpaste overnight, then wash them again. That should do it.

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Question

Where is the best place to leave brushes?

Community Answer

The best place the leave your brushes is on a brush rack. If you don't have one, you can just use a little jar and let your brushes rest in there upright. This keeps them clean and protects their shape.

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Question

Any other ideas?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

You could just use makeup remover, olive oil, jojoba oil or coconut oil. Or you could just go out and buy brush cleaner.

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Question

Will this work on all types of makeup brushes?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

It should work on all types of brushes, but brushes are either synthetic (plastic bristles) or natural hair (real animal hair), so check to make sure which you have.

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Question

Can I use extra virgin olive oil?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

You can use olive oil as a deep cleaner for your brushes. Oils melt and break down makeup, though not instantly. Clean your brushes with olive oil and let the oils set in your brushes for 2 - 5 minutes, then wash it out. It way take a couple washes with just water because oil and water separate.

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Question

If I use 99% alcohol, should I still use in the same ratio? Or, should I add more distilled water?

Holly Jane Gapasin

Community Answer

I always use 91% isopropyl alcohol (vs. 70%) to clean my makeup brushes, and I don't change the ratio of ingredients. Using this higher concentration will act as a better disinfectant, and your brushes will dry even faster. Make sure that you are using the correct type of alcohol (isopropyl) and that it doesn't contain any added dyes. Furthermore, if you are going to use a higher concentration of alcohol for this recipe, don't skimp on the essential oils. In the posted recipe, the author states that the purpose of the oils is to cover up the overwhelming scent of alcohol. While this holds true when using a higher potency alcohol, the oils will also help protect your brushes from drying out.

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