I walked into Sephora yesterday just to look around (I may or may not do that a lot) anyways, their Daily Brush Cleaner caught my eye. I TRY to wash my brushes once a week, but it rarely happens. So, I said to myself “self, maybe if you had a quick cleaner you could just spray onto your brushes after you used them life would be easier” (insert awkward glances form Sephora employes and innocent bystanders because I’m talking to myself). Then I glanced at the price, it was 18 bucks! Then I thought “well maybe the ingredients are so high end they deserve what they charge” I quickly lifted the flap to discover the ingredients are… DRUMROLL PLEASE: ALCOHOL and FRAGRANCE, wow fancy :). So, today I’m makin some myself and you should too! This is a quick way to clean in between eyeshadow & blush colors, also great to keep in your kit if you do makeup on others, the formula is quick drying so you will need less brushes.
Supplies Needed:
- Alcohol
- Distilled Water
- Fragrance Oil
- Spray Bottle
- Funnel
Add the alcohol into a clean spray bottle, I like to dilute mine about 70/30. The higher percentage being the alcohol of course, add your distilled water, then add 10 to 15 drops of fragranced oil I chose AURA CACIA LAVENDER-ESSENTIAL OIL, this will help cut the alcohol odor and also help condition your brushes.
As you can see I used it right away, look at all the color that is on the towel, it worked great! That’s it, you are done, now take the 18 bucks I saved you and buy me, errr, I mean yourself something pretty at Sephora 🙂
This was so helpful. Thanks
If you’re using the alcohol just because of the quick drying-ness of the formula, then thats awesome, but if you’re using it because of its disinfecting properties, the lavender essential oil will do that all on its own, plus it moisturizes your brushes (hence “oil”)….
I’ll have to try this out on my own… Have you noticed that the alcohol is drying for the brushes at all? That’s my only fear as I own rather expensive brushes 🙁
Thanks for the awesome post!
Lindsey, I use BareMinerals brushes they are not cheap either. I literally tried this today and my brush hasn’t been this soft since I bought it! I used to use the Sephora stuff, but it dried out my brush and never left it feeling very soft. I have the sephora brush shampoo and it works ok. Dawn and olive oil work better but it takes eternity to wash all the suds out.
I wanted to know is it possible to add like jojoba oil since i have that with me i have no other oils ?
The oil is just for the scent so don’t worry about it! XO
I use 4oz of alcohol and 3 oz of H20 about 60% alcohol to 40% water. Add drops of essential oils or grape seed oil for moisture and disinfectant. . S
O a 8 to 10 ounce spray bottle with 4 to 6 ounces alcohol or witch hazel. 3oz to 4 oz of h20. 2 drops
Of tea tree or lemon essential oil. 2 drops
Of grapeseed oil. Shake well. 60 % alcohol to 40% water. Plus 4 drops of oil to hydrate brush and 2 drops
To add disinfectant. Thats per 8 to 10 ounces.. you can baby wash 2 ounces. Alcohol 4 to 5 ounces. H20 2 to 3 lounces. S
Should be alcohol, water then 5 to 10% oils or fragrance. Etc. Baking soda or vitamin e. For a lil added shelf life ( 3 months per 1 ounce. )
Hey! Thanks for the post! Would this be safe to use on natural hair brushes? Or would the alcohol damage them? Thanks!
Hi, I would like to know the exact quantities for alcohol and distilled water. Thank you 😉
Thank you so much for this!! I go through the Sephora daily brush cleanser fast and just thought today as I’m running low again that there must be a diy recipe somewhere out there… Y’all, Pinterest rocks! Haha!
I love this spray idea! I have a quick add-on idea. I buy the “Cleansing Alcohol” (Sally’s brand) from Sally beauty supply. It smells amazing, little like cherries?, and diluted it would be a nice quick spray for daily use or in-between colors. We used to love to use it as a streak free glass cleaner years back when I used to work there. It is usually right by the bulk acetone, gallons, etc.
I also put in a weekly reminder on my day off (Mondays) in my phone calendar, and it reminds me to do my weekly brush shampoo. I just use the cheapest baby shampoo I can find, no residue! Then you can have a chance to add in your tea tree/ lavender, etc. for what every fragrance or antibacterial properties you wish. Wipe off gently on a towel for excess water and air dry!
I just wanted to know is there any other oils that I could substitute for the lavender oil, what I be able to use olive oil or coconut oil instead? Thank you 🙂
Hi! Any scented oil will work! XO
I added a little leave in conditioner. My brushes are soft after drying.
Thank u. I use the bare minerals Quick change brush cleaner. And I too was looking for something that I can make myself because it can’t be that difficult. And you just help me out a lot thank you thank you
I’m so glad you stumbled across this post then! XO
I’m curious… the essential oil. I have Nature’s Truth, and I’m wondering if I need to dilute it with the base oil before mixing it. The side of the bottle tells me to do so, and I just wanted to ask if this would be a good idea? Thanks.
Hi, I would like to know what exact quantities you used for the alcohol and distilled water. Thank you!! This is great information to save money! Thanks for sharing
Hi, yes this is quite the money saver! Just eyeball it depending on your bottle size…do more alcohol than water though! XO
Great spray..just wondering if i can use hand sanitizer in place of the alcohol?
Does anyone happen to know what the quantities of the ingredients are? I want to try this but I am afraid I will ruin my rather expensive brushes if I don’t know how much alcohol, oil, and water to use.
Does the water have to be distilled?
Yes distilled is best 🙂
Boil it with 1 pinch of salt. Or use bottled . Filtered. Make in batches smaller than 20 ounces. Use in 2 years. Zote soap. Plus 3 ounces of water . Plus spray bottle of 50 percent witch hazel and 10 percent oil like grapeseed. Fill rest with water or
Leave open. Add baby wash 2 ounces per 5 ounces of alcohol or water .
Zote soap for $1 pet 14 ounces. Cut into 2 ounce pieces. Wet brush for 20 sec to 2 min in cup water. Rinse and wipe on to clean towel. Rub all sides against zote soap bar 1 to 2x. Rinse. Wipe. Dry
I use 4oz of alcohol and 3 oz of H20. S
O a 8 ounce spray bottle with 4 ounces alcohol or witch hazel. 3oz of h20. 2 drops
Of tea tree or lemon essential oil. 2 drops
Of grapeseed oil. Shake well. 60 % alcohol to 40% water. Plus 4 drops of oil to hydrate brush and 2 drops
To add disinfectant. Thats per 8 to 10 ounces.. you can baby wash 2 ounces. Alcohol 4 to 5 ounces. H20 2 to 3 lounces. S
Should be alcohol, water then 5 to 10% oils or fragrance. Etc. Baking soda or vitamin e.
One ounce of the It Cosmetics brush cleaner is $15!!!! I thought, there has got to be a DIY dupe. I mixed up your recipe and used Ylang Ylang essential oil because it smells a lot like the It brand. Your recipe is every bit as effective as the high dollar brand! Thank You!
Right?! Everything is so expensive! So glad you created this with your favorite fragrance oil 🙂