My Kaboodle

If you’re like me, cleaning your makeup applicators joins the to-do list that never quite gets done—or even started. However, though an inconvenience, bathing your brushes at least once a month will keep them performing well for years. It will have your skin breathing a sigh of relief, since it’ll banish bad breakout-causing bacteria from your frequently-used bristles. Here are tips to help you brush up on brush-cleaning:

• Wash makeup applicators at night so they can be back in business by morning.
• Clean eye shadow sponges with soap and hot water.
• Rinse your brushes in running water—just keep them pointing downward.
• Reshape your reusable cosmetic tools to keep their form.

Wondering which washes work best for your brushes? Following are some popular potions among Kaboodlers:

Clinique Makeup Brush Cleanser ($12.50 for 8 oz.)
Sephora Daily Brush Cleaner ($14 for 6.75 oz.)
i.d. Well Cared-For Brush Conditioning Shampoo ($14 for 4 oz.)
Smashbox Brush Cleaner ($15 for 4 oz.)
Bobbi Brown Conditioning Brush Cleanser ($16.50 for 3.4 oz.)