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.

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.

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.