Heart Shaped Silicone Makeup Mat Suction Cup Brush Cleaning Pad

The easiest way to clean your makeup brushes is to buy silicone brush cleaning pads. Most silicone pads are textured to fit better between the hands.

Once you notice that your brushes aren't as squeaky clean as they used to be, it might be time to replace them. “As a general rule, you should buy a few new makeup brushes every three months to replace the old ones,” says Monaco.

As for the fuzzy makeup brushes you use to brush powder, you'll notice that they clean according to the buildup of makeup on the bristles, or at the base of the brush where it meets the metal (also known as the tip). "If you're using a synthetic makeup brush, you'll notice that the bristles become a little unstable and the bristles start to stick together," Church explains.

If you prefer to use paper towels to clean and dry your cosmetic brushes, make sure you choose lint-free paper towels so your brushes don't look dusty. There is nothing worse than wasting time and energy cleaning your collection, only to make it look even dirtier than it used to be.

“Makeup brushes can accumulate sebum, pollutants, dirt, bacteria, dead skin cells, and product deposits,” says Dr. Ann Chapas, a dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.

Eye brushes and facial brushes used for applying liquid makeup should be washed after each use, as bacteria often breeds in a humid environment.