I have been using this technique by Michelle Phan to clean my makeup brushes for just over two years now. It's cheap, easy and can be done with products in the home.
It’s important to clean your brushes regally to remove sebum, oil and dirt to prevent puting bacteria back onto your face, which may cause break outs.
On a plate or in a bowl pour extra virgin olive oil, to recondition, and dish washing detergent to clean your brushes.
Swirl your brush around the oil and detergent.
Move your brush back and forth on you palm
Move the brush back and forth under the water
Squeeze out excess suds
Shape your brush into a point
Leave your brushes hanging over the edge of a counter so the air can move around the hairs of the brush. If you put the brush back into a pot and leave to dry standing up the water will move back down the fibres and eventually the glue will loosen and hairs will begin falling out and the wood will start swelling.
If you buy good brushes, it is worth looking after them. Most of my brushes are four years old and my MAC foundation brush is five years old and it's still as good as the day I brought it.