You've finally got the best makeup brushes. But you wonder how to clean makeup brushes so they'll last?

Pretty makeup brushes get dirty fast! Read on for the best tips to get them looking like new

Maybe you have super fun unicorn makeup brushes or elegant sleek brushes, you need to take care of them so they can take care of you with great looking makeup. When they get dirty, lose too many bristles or lose their shape you'll notice that your makeup will start to suffer. Filthy brushes not only make it hard to get an even makeup application, but they can make you break out because of the bacteria that collects. “If not properly cleaned, makeup brushes can carry hordes of bacteria that can cause serious damage to the skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, M.D. How to Clean Makeup Brushes? Here are our top tips from the pros about the do's and don'ts of cleaning and how to get the most out of your makeup brushes.

The best makeup brush cleaner

There is a lot of talk out there about the best makeup cleaner. Many people swear by the famous blue Cinema Secrets brush cleaner or stick with the brush cleaner offered by their favorite makeup brand. Here's the thing- there are lots of effective ways to clean your makeup brushes, its really a matter of budget and preference- we'll cover all the options! But before we get started on brush cleaners, let's review some of the important things you need to know when you set off to clean your makeup brushes.

What is the best way to clean makeup brushes?

Wet the bristles with lukewarm water. You can do this by dipping into a solution in a cup or placing a drop of the brush cleaner into the palm of your hand. Take care not to rub the brush too vigorously as it can lose its shape or if the water goes into the handle it can loosen the glue that holds the bristles. Rinse the bristles and then squeeze out the excess with a towel.

How do you clean makeup brushes naturally?

If you are interested in a natural way to clean your brushes or how to clean makeup brushes DIY there are plenty of options, none of which will break your piggy bank. We've talked to the pros and researched how to clean makeup brushes naturally to give you a comprehensive list.

How to clean makeup brushes with vinegar

Vinegar is a great option for cleaning brushes because it is cheap and likely something you already have at home. Also, vinegar works as a natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal that inhibits bacteria and fungus on brushes. It is gentle so it will not break the bristles or change the brush's shape. You can make a vinegar cleaning mixture by adding 2 teaspoons to one cup of hot water. Simply dip the brush, swirl and rinse off. You can add a little dish soap if you like, but vinegar alone should do the trick.

How to clean makeup brushes with coconut oil or olive oil

Use oil on the smaller makeup brushes to clean and condition. Work the oil into the bristles with your fingers under a running faucet and then follow up with dish soap to remove the oil.

How to clean makeup brushes with Dawn

If you are familiar with the amazing grease powers of Dawn soap in your kitchen sink, you can imagine how well it works as a makeup brush cleaner. Just a little dab will do the trick!

How to clean makeup brushes with shampoo

Baby shampoo is sensitive enough for fine baby hair and it is gentle enough for your prized makeup brushes as well! Simply add a dab to your palm and gently massage it into the bristles, taking care to avoid the handle so as not to loosen the bristles.

How to sterilize makeup brushes & why its important to do so

No one likes acne! Cleaning your makeup brushes is an easy way to head off outbreaks and clogged pores. Of course, if you are a makeup artist it is important to sterilize your tools from client to client. Fortunately, sterilization is cheap and easy.

How to clean makeup brushes with alcohol

After you have cleaned off the makeup residue, using one of the methods discussed above and you have laid the brushes out to dry, you can sanitize them. Pour rubbing alcohol (99%) into a small cup, dip your brush tip in and swirl for a few seconds. Then just wipe off any remaining alcohol and lay flat to dry. Alcohol evaporates quickly and brushes will dry quickly. You can also you a 1:1 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water to get the job done.

How to dry makeup brushes

The best way to dry makeup brushes is to use a towel to squeeze out the excess, re-shape them and then lie them flat to dry. Want to expedite the process? You probably can us a hair dryer but we wouldn't recommend doing it often as it will damage the bristles! You can position the bristles off the edge of the countertop so that air fully circulates or you can use a cutting board and rubber band to attach the brushes, allowing them to dry in an upright position.

How often do you need to clean your makeup brushes?

Do a spot clean after every use. You can just fill a little bottle with rubber alcohol spray the brush and wipe with a paper towel. This will clean and sanitize so that your brushes are in pretty good shape until the deep clean you should do once a month.