How do I clean makeup brushes without a brush cleaner?
Short answerYou don't need a dedicated product. A drop of gentle shampoo, baby shampoo or mild soap cleans brushes well, and a little olive oil helps break down stubborn foundation. Wet the bristles, swirl in your palm, rinse until clear, reshape and lay flat to dry — keeping water out of the metal ferrule.
A purpose-made brush cleaner is convenient, but plenty of household basics do the job just as well.
What works
- Gentle shampoo or baby shampoo: a drop lathered into wet bristles lifts most makeup easily.
- Mild soap or a gentle bar: swirl the damp brush on it, then rinse.
- A little olive (or other) oil for cream/foundation: oil dissolves oil-based product — follow with shampoo to wash the oil out.
The method
- Wet the bristles tips-down under lukewarm water, swirl on your cleanser in your palm, and rinse until the water runs clear.
- Protect the ferrule: keep water out of the metal base, reshape the head, and dry flat — never upright.
For the full routine and how often to do it, see how to clean makeup brushes and how often.