When it comes to the world of dance gear, you need more than the right girls dancewear and dance apparel. In fact, makeup is an important component and something you'll need for every performance. But sometimes, keeping those makeup brushes clean can be a challenge. If you don't take the right approach, then bacteria can build up and cause all kinds of skin issues.

Not only that, but makeup brushes aren't cheap. If you invested in a quality brand, then you want them to remain in the best condition possible. You don't want to have to go out a buy a brand new set just because you didn't take good care of your brushes.

So when you're trying to keep the makeup brushes you invested in clean and ready for use, consider these tips:

Clean brushes each time you use them.

Most dancers clean their brushes once in a while, if that. But really, you should be cleaning them after every single use. That's right. Each and every time you use them, you should be sanitizing them afterward. Otherwise, your face is at risk for a staph infection, plus your pores can get clogged, among other things. So go out and buy some daily brush cleaner and use it on your brushes after each use. It's easy to use, too. All you have to do is:

• Spray your brushes with the cleaner and make sure you coat all the bristles.
• Then gently wipe your brush on a clean cloth to get rid of any loose makeup.
• Let your brush fully air dry before you use it again.

Deep clean your makeup brushes a couple times a month.

So you use a brush cleaner on your makeup brushes after each use. You're good, right? Not so fast. As a dance apparel company, we know that in addition to daily cleaning, you should also be performing a deep cleaning every couple of weeks to make sure you're fully eliminating all the dirt, bacteria and grease that can get attached to your brushes.

What product should you use? You can use a variety of household items, or there are actually brush shampoos that are designed to deep clean brushes and get rid of any makeup and dirt on brushes. To use them, simply:

• Run your brushes under lukewarm water and rinse off any makeup residue.
• Clean the bristles, not the spot where the bristles are attached to the handle. This can loosen the glue over time and cause damage to your brush.
• Take a bowl and fill it with lukewarm water and then add some makeup shampoo. Just a squirt will do.     
• Take your brush and swirl it around in the water. You can also swirl it around in the palm of your hand to get the brush lathered and do the best deep cleaning job.
• Once fully lathered, rinse your brush under lukewarm water. If the water doesn't run clear, then swirl it again in the soapy water and repeat the process until the water is clear.
• When you are done cleaning your brushes, then squeeze them to remove any excess water, so they can dry faster and are ready for use when you need them.

Don't just invest in dance apparel; invest in the right makeup brush cleaning tools, too.

When it comes to spending your money on dance-related items, go beyond purchasing girls dancewear. If you really want to go the extra mile when it comes to cleaning your brushes, you can actually invest in a tool to do just that. For instance, there are brush cleaning gloves that enable you to really scrub the bristles and get them clean, all without having to worry about damaging them, even the most delicate brushes. As a result, your brushes will get as clean as possible and last you longer, too.

Let them air dry completely before use.

As a girls dancewear company, we know it's important to let your brushes dry completely before you use them again. If you don't, and they're still moist, then residue, bacteria and grease from your face will stick to them more readily. You'll also want them to keep their shape when you're drying them, which is why it's important to hang them upside down. Otherwise, if they dry in a different shape, then they might not be as effective next time you go to use them. To ensure your brushes dry in the best shape possible, you can invest in a brush tree. Many can hold at least a dozen large brushes, and several dozen smaller or medium-size brushes.

Fight back against crunchy brunches.

If it seems like your brushes are crunchy due to cleaning, you can use one simple trick to get the softness back into them. Use a dab of conditioner on the bristles. There's no fancy product you need to invest in. The kind you use on your hair will do. Another option for keeping your brushes soft? Use a dab of olive oil. In fact, you can use olive oil to both clean and condition your brushes. If you're using it to clean, then gently submerge your brush into the oil and then rub it against a sponge. You'll quickly see caked-on makeup and grime coming off.

Do you neglect your makeup brushes? Are grease, face powder, makeup and creams building up on your bristles over the course of months and weeks? Do you often use different color makeups depending on your performance? Then you need to ensure you keep your brushes squeaky clean. All it takes is a few minutes and following the tips above. You'll be rewarded with cleaner brushes and a better complexion.