If there's one beauty job I hate, it's cleaning my makeup brushes. And it seems I'm not alone. A recent study by Stylpro found 44 percent of women have never washed their brushes (ever!) and shockingly 34 percent of makeup brushes contain more bacteria than the average toilet brush, yuck. As a beauty editor, I'm well aware of the benefits of ensuring I wash my brushes regularly and how dirty brushes can impact your skin. This is because makeup like foundation, eyeshadow and blush gets caught in the brushes, collecting dirt and residue, which can all leave bacteria behind as well as clog up the fine bristles. Yet, I will still make every excuse not to clean my brushes and tend to end up with a large pile of dirty tools under my dressing table waiting for me to pull my finger out.

Over the years I have tried everything from electronic devices to throwing them all in the washing machine (do not recommend if you have any wooden handles, although great for makeup sponges) yet I still haven't found the one that makes me want to partake in the task on a regular basis. One of the most frustrating things I would find is that once I had taken the time to clean the brushes it would often take up to 24 hours for them to fully dry. Which would be fine, if I didn't wait until I had gone through all my brushes to start the cleaning process, only to be left with zero tools for a day or two. That was until I started to try the new breed of extra-strength, quick-dry options which not only cut through makeup quicker than you can say "bye bye bacteria", they also have prolonged the life of some of my most favourite brushes, making them look as good as new.

Read on to find out why it is so important to clean your makeup brushes, my top five brush cleaners and how to store your brushes correctly.

Why Is It So Important to Clean Your Makeup Brushes?

So why do our makeup brushes get so dirty? Every time you use a makeup brush, tool or sponge on your face you transfer bacteria to your skin. When left in the fine hairs of the makeup brush this bacterium begins to multiply on your tools. This happens at an even faster rate as we tend to store our makeup brushes in a warm environment, like a bedroom or bathroom, allowing the bacteria to thrive. It is this dirt, residue and bacteria that can cause breakouts and skin rashes. Also if you ever share makeup brushes with friends it could cause an even greater issue as everyone has different bacteria on their skin, so if you're using a friend's beauty tool, you will be transferring germs onto your skin or vice versa. So next time you borrow a friend's beauty tools, think of all the potential years and years worth of, not only makeup, but bacteria lingering on those brushes.

What Is the Best Way to Store Your Makeup Brushes?

You should keep your brushes stored in a cool, dry place to minimise the growth of bacteria, wash them before you use them for the first time, and then at least once a week (depending on how often you use them).

My Top Makeup Brush Cleaners

Best No-Rinse Brush Cleaner: Cinema Secrets Professional Makeup Cleaner (£18)

This stuff is like magic. I tend to use an old plastic cup when I'm using this method and poor around two inches to ensure it covers the whole brush head before going in for a good dip, swirl and shake. I then use an old tea towel or kitchen roll to remove the residue and let sit for an hour or so until it dries fully.

Best Instant Brush Cleaner: Isoclean Makeup Brush Cleaner (£17)

This is ideal for on-the-go as you simply spray, wipe and allow to dry. As you wipe the brushes on a kitchen towel you will be shocked at the amount of makeup that comes out and you will notice an immediate difference when you apply your makeup. I tend to use this in between a big wash as it does the job, but you may find there is still some residue deep inside the brush head itself.

Best for Heavy Makeup Users: Stylpro Original Makeup Brush Cleaner (£29.99)

When I first used Stylpro I genuinely thought it was the cleverest device, I was shocked by how great the quality of the product was and how efficiently it worked. It is no surprise the brand has sold over five million of these electronic machines, which clean and dry each brush in a few seconds. I would recommend this option if you are using a lot of brushes with each application as it is the swiftest way to clean and dry. Simply fill the glass bowl with an inch of water and stick the brush in the whole, press a button to make the brush spin, and watch all your makeup seep out as the water changes colour. I can't describe how weirdly satisfying this is. However as a warning you will be grossed out when you realise all the grime that can come out of your tools.