I'll be honest with y'all, I have not always been great when it comes to regularly cleaning my makeup brushes. As I've invested more focus on cleaning up and refining my makeup routine I realized I was doing my skin and makeup brushes a disservice. With each use, brushes accumulate bacteria, dead skin cells, and oils which can clog your pores. Personally, this led to break outs along my jaw, but it can also cause dull skin. Clean brushes also apply makeup better and last longer when properly conditioned.
It only took me a little searching online for makeup brush cleaners to become frustrated with not only the prices, but also the lack of clean ingredient options. I had heard that castile soap can be used to make nontoxic, DIY makeup brush cleaner so I dug my favorite out from under the kitchen sink and added in a few more ingredients. Now I wash my brushes at least once a week. The jawline breakouts are gone and my brushes are softer than ever. The best part (besides the awesomely low cost) is that I store the cleaner in a mason jar under my bathroom sink and it makes enough to clean all my brushes 4 times.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup witch hazel
1 tsp olive oil
1 cup distilled water
1-2 drops essential oil (optional- may also choose scented castile soap and skip additional essential oil)
Combine all ingredients in mason jar and shake before each use.
To use, pour needed amount in small cup or shallow dish. Swirl brushes in cleaner then gently rub on brush cleaner mat (I've linked my favorite mat) under warm water. Repeat as needed.
As I mentioned above, I now clean my brushes at least once a week and no longer have to worry about clogged pores and breakouts. If you give this cleaner a try let me know what you think! Be on the lookout for even more ways to use castile soap for personal and household use.
-Lauren
