"I suggest using a gentle shampoo like the baby variety to wash the brushes one to two at a time," says makeup guru Stevi Christine.

Make sure the word "gentle" is clearly printed on the label to avoid harsh chemicals that can loosen the glue holding the bristles in place.

Softly scrub the lathered up brushes in the palm of your hand and then rinse thoroughly until the water stream runs clear (a sign that dirt and makeup have made their exit).

"Then lay them flat on a paper towel to dry overnight. Do a touch test before use, as your larger brushes can take a bit longer to dry," she says.