No. 6: Never Ever Use Your Blow-Dryer to Speed Things Up
We get it: Waiting for your brushes to air-dry feels like it takes forever. But don't be tempted to zip through the process by blasting them with your hair dryer -- this can cause the glue that holds your brushes together to come undone, resulting in damaged brushes that, at the least, shed all over your face, or at the worst, become unusable.
Photo 8/11
No. 7: Sometimes Clean Your Brushes Between Use
In addition to your bacteria-fighting deep-cleans, it's sometimes also necessary to cleanse your brushes between uses. A prime example: When you're using multiple shades of eye shadow. Instead of busting out the soap and water, choose a spray cleanser. Mist your brush with it, then wipe it off on a clean towel to get rid of color buildup. This will prevent your eye shadow from looking "muddy," and will help you get the best color payoff.
Photo 9/11
No. 8: Store Them Properly
If you're keeping your brushes out in the open in your bathroom, where most of us get ready in the morning, you could be unintentionally spraying them with germs from your toilet. Studies have shown that flushing the toilet with the lid open causes all kinds of germs to take up residence on items like toothbrushes. So keep them far away from your toilet, and always close the lid.
Photo 10/11
No. 9: Organization Now Pays Off Later
Raise your hand if you've wasted precious getting-ready minutes searching for your blush brush. To streamline your morning routine, keep your daily brushes separate from your other brushes. Have a second stash of going-out brushes that you use to create your smoky eyes, contoured cheekbones or red-hot lip color.
Photo 11/11
No. 10: Travel With Care
If you're anything like us, you probably can't leave for vacation without a hefty arsenal of makeup brushes. And even if you're more selective, you can still benefit from a roll-up makeup bag designed for brushes.
A roll-up bag protects the bristles of your brushes from losing their shape and other brush-ruining situations (like germs, our old nemesis). Read: You shouldn't just toss them in your regular travel makeup kit and call it good.
It's also worth bringing a travel-sized gentle cleanser, so you have the option of cleaning your brushes if disaster strikes. After all, overzealous gel eyeliner applications that result in brushes falling to the floor happen to the best of us.
