Whether you have synthetic brushes or those made of hair, cleaning them is simple. First things first: eliminate excess buildup ahead of time by removing extra makeup from the brush with a piece of tissue after each use. Then, to thoroughly clean it, place the bristles in warm water and wash with a dime-sized amount of your regular shampoo or makeup brush cleaner. Rinse the brushes out several times to make sure all the cleaning solution is gone. Then, squeeze out the water with your fingers and reshape the brush head. Allow the brush to air dry by laying it flat, with the bristles over the sink basin. (Standing the brushes up to dry may damage the handle as water leaks down, and will soften the brush adhesive holding the bristles in place.) After six months to a year, or whenever your brushes start looking frayed, you may want to replace them.

To see how many makeup brushes do you have.