Makeup Artist
Heather J M
Posts: 719
London, England, United Kingdom
MADE NYC wrote:
Or you can make a batch of KJ’s Homemade Quick Brush Cleaner, which is a totally effective alternative because it saves money ($$$) and works EXACTLY the same way.
Mix 13oz 70% Alcohol, 2oz Cosmetic Grade Acetone, 1oz Flax Seed Oil and about 30 drops of Grapefruit Seed essential oil (highly antibacterial) and 15 drops of Lavender essential oil.
Use the same way as any commercial spray or quick dip brush cleaner. Store in a tightly sealed non-corrosive acrylic or glass bottle. I normally try to avoid getting embroiled in thread necros, but acetone? Is that a constituent part of other brush cleaners? I use IPA and DaVinci Brush soap.
Makeup Artist
KJB
Posts: 1184
New York, New York, US
MADE NYC wrote:
Or you can make a batch of KJ’s Homemade Quick Brush Cleaner, which is a totally effective alternative because it saves money ($$$) and works EXACTLY the same way.
Mix 13oz 70% Alcohol, 2oz Cosmetic Grade Acetone, 1oz Flax Seed Oil and about 30 drops of Grapefruit Seed essential oil (highly antibacterial) and 15 drops of Lavender essential oil.
Use the same way as any commercial spray or quick dip brush cleaner. Store in a tightly sealed non-corrosive acrylic or glass bottle. Heather J M wrote:
I normally try to avoid getting embroiled in thread necros, but acetone? Is that a constituent part of other brush cleaners? I use IPA and DaVinci Brush soap. Cosmetic Grade Acetone (old school nail polish remover) is used extensively as a brush cleaner to remove special effects adhesives and heavy wax or oil based products from cosmetics brushes.
You realize that one of the most famous makeup brush cleaners is HIGHLY caustic. First ingredient: Hydrotreated Heavy Naphtha - a petroleum distillate used in the production of high octane gasoline.
Second ingredient: Dichloroflourooethane - a compressed liquefied gas used as a refrigerant or solvent.
Feel free to Google the MSDS forms for each of these materials.
Makeup Artist
Heather J M
Posts: 719
London, England, United Kingdom
Oh I believe you entirely that the ingredients are caustic. I had heard that IPA is carcinogenic also. I just wondered why you'd need something as strong as acetone for regular cosmetic brush cleaner. For SFX work I use it too. I just haven't needed it for general use (well except to try and remove very horrible glue on hair appliances or to try and remove MAC lip glass). I'd also be interested to know which cleanser is using those? Like I say, I use straight up IPA and I'm not looking to change. I'm just looking here for information!
Makeup Artist
KJB
Posts: 1184
New York, New York, US
Heather J M wrote:
Oh I believe you entirely that the ingredients are caustic. I had heard that IPA is carcinogenic also. I just wondered why you'd need something as strong as acetone for regular cosmetic brush cleaner. For SFX work I use it too. I just haven't needed it for general use (well except to try and remove very horrible glue on hair appliances or to try and remove MAC lip glass). I'd also be interested to know which cleanser is using those? Like I say, I use straight up IPA and I'm not looking to change. I'm just looking here for information! That little bit of acetone cuts through the silicone and wax based complexion products more efficiently. The grapefruit seed oil adds additional antibacterial properties and the lavender/citrus mix leave your brushes smelling fresh.
The brush cleaner using the serious chemicals? Simply google search those ingredients + brush cleaner...
Makeup Artist
Dani Jaye
Posts: 319
Princeton, New Jersey, US
I bought Cinema Secrets once and will not be ever again. Yes it cleans nicely but it was like huffing diesel every time I used it. I HATED it immensely for that reason. I wonder how many brain cells I killed off from that 1bottle alone  I tried Parian Spirit at The Makeup Show booth this past May. I loved the scent and it dried ok but they didn't really submerge the brushes like I would. Recently, I have been testing Naimies cleaner which is ok but doesn't always remove colors from my Rae Morris Kabuki's which makes me crazy. So right now I am leaning more on MAC or a combo of first cleaning (dipping) in 70% and then a final quick dip in 99%. KJ: I've been meaning to try your method. It sounds lovely and reminds me a bit like Jao. I imagine I will love your cleaner especially b/c of the scent. Plus, I love when the talent goes goofy for the Jao...ooh what's that smell!? Now, maybe the same will be with my brush cleaner. Thanks~
Makeup Artist
Merenda Morris
Posts: 45
Memphis, Tennessee, US
MADE NYC wrote:
Or you can make a batch of KJ’s Homemade Quick Brush Cleaner, which is a totally effective alternative because it saves money ($$$) and works EXACTLY the same way.
Mix 13oz 70% Alcohol, 2oz Cosmetic Grade Acetone, 1oz Flax Seed Oil and about 30 drops of Grapefruit Seed essential oil (highly antibacterial) and 15 drops of Lavender essential oil.
Use the same way as any commercial spray or quick dip brush cleaner. Store in a tightly sealed non-corrosive acrylic or glass bottle. Will Do!!!!!
Makeup Artist
KC hmua
Posts: 184
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Photography by Sharyn wrote:
I've always used Napoleon's Brush Cleaner, and recently I've actually made my own up that's near identical for 1/8th of the price.
Mix;
Isopropyl alcohol
Lavender Essential Oil
Water
Pop it into a spray bottle and away you go.
The lavender keeps your brushes conditioned and smelling nice, while the alcohol sanitises and also allows the water to evaporate quickly so the bristles don't stay wet.
Good quality brushes should be fine for years if looked after well.
I have two sets of sable brushes, that cost me around $2000 each.
But I'm still using the very first set and they have been heavily used for more than 8 years now!!! They are still perfect, but I look after them well.
They are cleaned between faces with cleaner.
Then once a month I give them a thorough clean with Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, then they are laid flat to dry before being placed back into my brush roll.
:-) dont think this is a good idea as alot of people are actually allergic to lavender, or raises the risk of allergic reactions. You would be surprised how many people can not tolerate it. Dermalogica special cleansing gel would only serve to cleanse off dirt and grim- hardly a "deep cleanse"
simple easy steps to clean anything in general and is in all skin penetration guidelines.
you remove the excess dirt and grime with a detergent to "sanitize"
you kill most bacteria and reduce the likelyhood of spreading by using a "disinfectant" ( over in my local market the law stipulates 70% isopropyl alcohol")
you kill all bacteria and spores and viruses by "sterilizing" (using an autoclave)
as you cannot sterilize brushes you always should sanitize then disinfect them appropriately. Both steps are required and are important. Simple you would think.
people always mess things up when talking about "cleaning" things its about "sanitizing and disinfecting" these terms mean two very different things. you do not need any fancy brush cleaner bottle hell they dont even clean properly half the time! All you need is detergent and alcohol and thats it. anything more will either lead to allergic reactions and or unneccesary buildup on your brushes.
Makeup Artist
Jenni Defalco
Posts: 456
Stevenage, England, United Kingdom
I use brush cleaner on set, i've tried many but currently using MUFE. Sprayed onto a alchol hand sanitising wipe for extra sanitation. May just start using alchohol tho if its safe!
To deep clean one a week i use olive oil and work it into the brush hairs to remove any product , rinse and then clean with antibacterial soap and if i feel they need it conditioner too!
To get foundation, gloss etc out of brushes on set i use Temptu airbrush cleaner first, works a treat although i'm not sure whats in it, If anyone knows i would love to know as i can't seem to find the ingredients on the bottle or website?! x
Makeup Artist
Dani Snow
Posts: 43
Los Angeles, California, US
Yeah, at MUD one of my teachers said she just uses alchohol. The MUA's at Ulta also spray a brush with 99% inbetween applications.
I've been doing it because it's fast and easy and I already lug alcohol with me on jobs, why lug a bottle of brush cleaner too?
So far, I haven't noticed any damage.
Model
Mizz Ro
Posts: 2310
Corona, California, US
SARAH JONES makeup wrote:
ill say something though - i am constantly amazed at just how many MUAs never seem to clean their brushes. ill be in a room of 6 and ill be the only one cleaning brushes. it kisses me right off, especially if we are 'sharing' models. if a model gets a problem through lack of hygiene, i feel like ill be tarnished with the same (dirty) brush
models! demand clean brushes! OMG that is disgusting! Thank you for doing what you do. I know I have always kept an eye on this. I actually go over to my mom's house to clean and sanatize her brushes because she rarely cleans them herself. Lol.
Photographer
Fred Limbach
Posts: 11
Washington, District of Columbia, US
Glamour Girl6 wrote:
I just met another MUA who cleans her brushes with alcohol! I told her that she's going to ruin her brushes, but she says she was taught that way.
Crazy! I heard that white vinegar is the best thing, could even remove paint from paintbrushes.
Makeup Artist
Sandra Valero
Posts: 293
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
I usually make my own cleaner as well, since they are just basically alcohol anyway...
I've had the same experience as Sarah... working with other MUA's and seeing brushes that could be carrying all sorts of illnesses and yucky things. Some of them being teachers at highly renowned makeup schools...
Hygiene is an essential part of our job, and people take it for granted.
Makeup Artist
Serena Cook
Posts: 39
Seattle, Washington, US
FWIW, I use a mix of baby shampoo and alcohol to deep clean my real hair brushes once a week or so. In between jobs I clean with alcohol, and my synthetic brushes a I always clean with alcohol only. I find that using soap on them makes them feel kind of strange.
Photographer
the lonely photographer
Posts: 2342
Beverly Hills, California, US
Isabelle Kai wrote:
I have also been under the impression that 70% is the requirement to actually sanitize any surfaces. I use 70% alcohol to clean my brushes if necessary, but I wash with antibacterial dish soap mixed with olive oil when I get home. (the oil serves the dual purpose of breaking down any kind of pigments as well as conditioning the brush fibres.)
There have been lots of threads about this - and this issue of percentage gets brought up every time, but most people still tend to stick to 99% alcohol. I know it's faster drying, but if it's not killing all of the bacteria, I don't understand the popularity of its use? the higher % alcohol breaks down lipids and complex chain molecules such as organic polymucoglycosides, the downside is high vapor pressure and is flammable, a nice hot invisible blue flame if it ignites.
The sure kill method is an autoclave, unfortunately it works best with sterilizing surgical instruments and manicure tools. To render maximum efficiency use the 3 bottle method.
Remove as much material from brush with washing, rinse in water, rinse in alcohol, swirl brush,
Shake out
Rinse in second bottle of alcohol swirl brush, shake out
Rinse in 3rd. Bottle of alcohol swirl. Shake out
If you notice most health department regulations in food service outlet require a 3 compartment sink, essentially the same idea. Professional painters use the 3 bottle method to clean their expensive brushes as well.
You discard the first bottle after use, the second bottle becomes the first, and so on.
Seems extreme, but your clients notice, I would suggest you pack your brushes in those plastic and paper sterilizing envelopes. They are not sterile but gives the impression they are sanitary
Model
- Aina -
Posts: 747
Redlands, California, US
Huh. That's good to know that 99% alcohol is a good solution to quick change brushes.
The stuff I use for my brushes comes from a 99 cent store. It's a shampoo without sulfates, fragrance (I have sensitive skin so it sometimes makes a difference), and something else. It's nothing special. I just look for a bottle that has those listed.
Makeup Artist
LoveColor
Posts: 36
Saint Louis, Missouri, US
Wont an eyeliner brush sting after straight alcohol? (Guess not if that's what my brush cleaner is made of?)
Photographer
TerrysPhotocountry
Posts: 4649
Rochester, New York, US
As a former barber I can tell you that the is a germicide & jar's that we used for all of are combs. Plus there is a unit that you can put your combs and brush's in and a light will kill the bacteria. Most beauty supply stores carry these products. Its wise to always use clean bush's and combs on a customer.
Makeup Artist
Lauren Reynolds Makeup
Posts: 282
London, England, United Kingdom
Avital wrote:
Wont an eyeliner brush sting after straight alcohol? (Guess not if that's what my brush cleaner is made of?) Alcohol evaporates quickly, so as long as the brush is dry it's not a problem.
Model
The Original Sin
Posts: 13899
Louisville, Kentucky, US
KJB wrote:
Or you can make a batch of KJ’s Homemade Quick Brush Cleaner, which is a totally effective alternative because it saves money ($$$) and works EXACTLY the same way.
Mix 13oz 70% Alcohol, 2oz Cosmetic Grade Acetone, 1oz Flax Seed Oil and about 30 drops of Grapefruit Seed essential oil (highly antibacterial) and 15 drops of Lavender essential oil.
Use the same way as any commercial spray or quick dip brush cleaner. Store in a tightly sealed non-corrosive acrylic or glass bottle. Just as a heads up- anyone with asthma is allergic to lavender (it aggravates the condition) and some people are just plain allergic. I'd leave it out, just in case.
I've always used alcohol on my brushes (and palette), and wash my brushes out in baby shampoo after a shoot. I'm pretty much the only one who uses my stuff, but if I'm assisting somewhere and have to do make-up, I always make sure to have plenty of alcohol and extra brushes on hand.
Makeup Artist
KJB
Posts: 1184
New York, New York, US
KJB wrote:
Or you can make a batch of KJ’s Homemade Quick Brush Cleaner, which is a totally effective alternative because it saves money ($$$) and works EXACTLY the same way.
Mix 13oz 70% Alcohol, 2oz Cosmetic Grade Acetone, 1oz Flax Seed Oil and about 30 drops of Grapefruit Seed essential oil (highly antibacterial) and 15 drops of Lavender essential oil.
Use the same way as any commercial spray or quick dip brush cleaner. Store in a tightly sealed non-corrosive acrylic or glass bottle. The Original Sin wrote:
Just as a heads up- anyone with asthma is allergic to lavender (it aggravates the condition) and some people are just plain allergic. I'd leave it out, just in case.
I've always used alcohol on my brushes (and palette), and wash my brushes out in baby shampoo after a shoot. I'm pretty much the only one who uses my stuff, but if I'm assisting somewhere and have to do make-up, I always make sure to have plenty of alcohol and extra brushes on hand. Since lavender has been getting such a bad reputation, I left it out of my last batch and added mint instead. The citrus/mint scent was really nice!
BTW - If you can get you hands on Ethyl Alcohol (not too easy), you don't have to add the acetone to the formula.
P.S. - I wrote an entire blog post about the care and cleaning of makeup brushes if any of you are interested:
http://bit.ly/18K7735
Makeup Artist
Wendy Dunlap Makeup
Posts: 3
Virginia Beach, Virginia, US
I use 70% alcohol solely for spot cleaning and sanitizing after I am done working on a model, so that I don't roll my brushes back up and smear germs all over the brush belt. Then I go home and deep clean with the plain blue Dawn dish detergent. I haven't had any issues with my brushes degrading or falling apart, except for some of my really old cheaper ones that I've tossed anyway.
Makeup Artist
Beauty4U
Posts: 1862
New York, New York, US
Hair Stylist
Made by Jordan
Posts: 2
LEHIGH VALLEY, Pennsylvania, US
MP Make-up Artistry wrote:
I've used 99% alcohol on my brushes since the beginning and my brushes are still happy and perfectly fine.. I use the alcohol between faces and then use shampoo when I get home....
nothing wrong with alcohol .. brush cleaners are almost all alcohol with a dash of sent.. and oils ... I agree!! I have been doing this for awhile now and my brushes are fine! I actually use 99% alchol in between clients and on set and as soon as I get home I clean them with Bare escentals brush cleaner and a light shampoo.. I have no problem and my brushes are in great shape!
Photographer
Miss Photog
Posts: 288
VALLEY VILLAGE, California, US
I use Sephora's makeup brush shampoo, which contains alcohol (though it doesn't say the percentage).
Makeup Artist
Cee Jay Starling
Posts: 26
New York, New York, US
When it comes to cleaning brushes...soap is soap. BUT disinfecting cannot be avoided. I use 70% or 91% Alcohol....let dry then wash with whatever great smelling cheap ass conditioning shampoo I can find. For my natural hair brushes I will put the shampoo in a plastic cup with some olive oil to add the softness if needed.
Makeup Artist
Millie H-Wilkes
Posts: 1
Brighton, England, United Kingdom
Hey guys. Quick question. Ive been using bruah cleaner but so expensive, as im one of few mua that cleans brushes all the time.
I bought ipa and was wondering if I need to dialute it. I heard no because it reduces sterilisation and ipa dries quickly. But ipa is incredibly strong. Was wondering if any of you dialute and is it okay to use on your client once brush is dry?
Please help and reply
Cheers lovelys x
Makeup Artist
Danielle Blazer
Posts: 846
Los Angeles, California, US
Actually ALL makeup artists clean and sanitize their brushes after every use, you are in no way unique in this.
If you dilute alcohol I'm not sure about the sanitizing benefits being as strong, but full strength certainly won't hurt your brushes. Condition them occasionally with olive oil to keep them soft. Commercial brush cleaner is just alcohol and fragrance anyway.
I've been using alcohol on my brushes for 20 years; never had a problem because of it.
Makeup Artist
Makeup Art by Tamara
Posts: 66
Scottsdale, Arizona, US
I use 99% alcohol in a spray bottle when on set, then baby shampoo when I get home. About twice a month, I use olive oil on them. My brushes are in great condition. When clients ask me on set what I'm using on my brushes, they're always relieved to hear it's alcohol. Makes them feel like everything is well sanitized!
Makeup Artist
TheMakeupMan
Posts: 3799
Los Angeles, California, US
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