Yes, according to cleaning guidelines, you can use gentle shampoo or clarifying shampoo to clean your makeup brushes. This method helps remove residual makeup and oils effectively.
Cleaning your makeup brushes regularly is essential for hygiene and performance. While specialized brush cleaners are available, common household items like shampoo, when used correctly, can be a practical alternative.
How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes with Shampoo
Using shampoo requires a careful approach to avoid damaging your brushes, particularly the glue holding the bristles to the handle.
Here's a simple breakdown based on recommended practices:
- Rinse the Tips: Begin by rinsing only the tips of your brushes under lukewarm, running water. This initial step helps wash away residual makeup. It's crucial only to rinse the tip, avoiding submerging the entire brush head.
- Prepare the Cleaning Solution: Fill a bowl with lukewarm water. Add a tablespoon of your chosen cleaning agent – either gentle shampoo or clarifying shampoo. Swirl the water to mix.
- Swirl and Clean: Gently swirl the brush tips in the bowl of shampoo and water. Avoid pressing down too hard, which can splay the bristles. You should see makeup residue leaving the brush and coloring the water.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the brush tips again under clean, lukewarm running water until the water runs clear and no suds remain.
- Reshape and Dry: Gently squeeze excess water from the bristles. Reshape the brush head to its original form. Lay the brushes flat on a towel or hang them upside down to air dry completely before use.
| Step | Action | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Initial Rinse | Rinse brush tips under lukewarm water. | Only rinse the tip; do not submerge the entire brush head. |
| 2. Solution Prep | Fill bowl with lukewarm water; add shampoo. | Use gentle shampoo or clarifying shampoo (1 tbsp per bowl). |
| 3. Cleaning | Swirl brush tips in the solution. | Be gentle; avoid excessive pressure. |
| 4. Final Rinse | Rinse brush tips under clean lukewarm water. | Rinse until water is clear and free of suds. |
| 5. Dry | Squeeze excess water, reshape, air dry. | Lay flat or hang upside down; ensure brushes are completely dry before use. |
Why Submerging is Not Recommended
The reference specifically advises against submerging the whole brush head. The reason for this is that most makeup brushes use glue to bind the bristles together and attach them to the handle. Repeatedly soaking the entire brush head can dissolve this glue over time, leading to shedding bristles or the brush head detaching from the handle. Focusing cleaning on the tips protects the longevity of your brushes.
Using a gentle shampoo is often preferred for natural hair brushes, while a clarifying shampoo can be more effective for synthetic brushes heavily soiled with liquid or cream products. However, both are cited as options for general cleaning.
Following these steps helps ensure your brushes are clean, hygienic, and maintain their shape and structure for longer-lasting performance.
