What is the best way to clean makeup brushes?

Even though we know that dirty makeup brushes may lead to unwanted breakouts, we’re probably all guilty of not cleaning them often enough. But, as burdensome as it might be, we do have to regularly wash our tools. That’s because unwashed brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria. Best to avoid that, right?

Give them a good clean at least once every two weeks to prevent the build-up of bacteria. Even better if you can do it more often. Go on, grab your tools and get to work — here’s how to clean your makeup brushes the right way.

While there are cleansers that are designed specifically for cleaning brushes, a gentle soap or facial cleanser will suffice. All you have to do is wet the brush with lukewarm water and swirl it in the soap, massaging the bristles into your palm. Rinse and repeat until all the makeup residue is gone.

Just make sure to keep the base of the brush head away from soap and water to avoid dissolving the glue that keeps bristles in place, since this might cause them to shed.

Afterwards, gently squeeze out excess moisture and reshape the brush into its original shape. Lay the brush flat on a counter, making sure the bristles are hanging off the edge, leave it to dry overnight. And that’s it — your brushes will look as good as new.