Whether you’re a gal who likes to go “glam” with a generous application of cosmetics on a special night out or someone who prefers a more “natural” look with minimum application for day-to-day wear, we all need some way to take off these products.

Makeup is great for enhancing our natural beauty (or hiding our flaws), but it’s terrible for our skin if left on overnight or when napping. Leaving it on will clog pores, trigger inflammations, cause dull skin tone and other issues (including aging our skin…no thanks!).

There are several great commercial products available that help make the job easier (because wow! some of those items are tough-as-nails to remove…especially waterproof mascara), and there’s certainly nothing wrong with using them. However…

If you’re a DIYer kinda gal or want to try something that is much less expensive than many brand-name products, here are a bunch of recipes and suggestions for you.

These are also great to keep on hand for those nights you realize you’re out of your favorite makeup remover and you just want something to get you through until tomorrow when you can get to the store. They use simple ingredients and nothing too exotic, there should be something in the bunch that you have on hand right now that will help you in a pinch.

First up are several different mixes/recipes for removing eye makeup and cosmetics in general.

It goes without saying that if anything irritates your eyes or skin, discontinue use and try something else. Take extra care around the eyes, excess can drip and cause irritation. Results will vary on the different brands of mascara. For gentle cleansing, choose organic and scent-free ingredients where possible.

Here is a general list of various oils to try (these work alone, no need to mix with anything first):

Olive

Baby or Mineral

Jojoba

Almond

Grapeseed

You can also try Vaseline, petroleum jelly or unscented baby wipes.

Next, here are some different blends/mixes to try. Directions for each: Toss all ingredients in a bottle or small jar and shake to mix well. Shake before each use and apply with a tissue, q-tip, cotton pad or ball.

Note: This isn’t something you want to make big batches of since bacteria growth can be an issue. Just whip up enough for a week’s use at a time, keep refrigerated and you’re good to go.

Homemade Recipes

D.W. = Distilled Water

EVOO = Extra Virgin Olive Oil

W.H. = Witch Hazel

#1

1 cup D.W.

1 1/2 TBS baby shampoo (the tearless kind)

1/8 tsp baby oil (mineral)

#2

2 TBS D.W.

1 TBS Jojoba

#3

1/8 C. grapeseed oil

1 TBS castor oil

#4

1 TBS EVOO

1 TBS Castor oil

2 tsp Canola oil

#5

2 TBS Aloe Vera gel

1 TBS Jojoba

#6

Equal Parts:

Witch Hazel

Almond oil

Water

#7

2 TBS W.H.

1 TBS Jojoba

1 TBS EVOO

1 1/2 TBS D.W.

Cleaning cosmetic brushes on a regular basis is important to keep them in the best shape possible but also to protect our skin from the buildup of old product.

Directions For Each:

Fill a small bowl with chosen recipe (listed below).

Swoosh the brush around in the mixture, rinse with water to get rid of all traces of soap.

W.W. = Warm Water

Recipe #1

1 cup D.W.

2 TBS rubbing alcohol

1 TBS baby shampoo

#2

1 cup W.W.

1 tsp liquid castile soap

#3

1/4 cup W.W.

1 TBS Woolite

#4

1 cup W.W.

1 TBS baby shampoo

1/2 tsp Tea Tree

#5

1/2 cup W.W.

1/4 cup household vinegar

#6

1 cup W.W.

1 TBS baby shampoo

#7

1 cup W.W.

1 TBS liquid dish detergent

Maintenance Tips: