HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR MAKE-UP TOOLS

• Taking Stock: Every so often it’s a good idea to go through your entire collection of make-up.Throw out anything which has become hard or dried up,such as nail polishes and foundations. If a cap isn’t secure then transfer the cosmetic to a container which is secure.

• Clean container: All make-up containers must be kept clean.If it’s a plastic bag,empty it out every month.Turn the bag inside out and sponge with warm soap and water,dry,then replace the contents.Do check that the bag itself is in good shape.If the plastic is torn or the zip broken,buy a new one – most chemists and chain store beauty counters see in expensive ones.

• Wash and brush: Mascara brushes,sponges-tipped applicators and lipstick brushes,indeed any kind of brushes,must be kept clean and unclogged if they are to work well.So,once a week check,through brushes you use regularly and clean them all thoroughly.All you need is a bowl of warm soapy water;dip in each brush head and,using your fingers,rub and squeeze gently to get rid of any excess make-up. Rinse the brush thoroughly under the tap and then dry with a tissue. 

• Powder puffs: Its most important to wash powder puffs regularly.Hot soapy water should do the trick.Rinse with clear warm water and leave the puff to dry in a warm place.The thin foam pads,which come with some make-up,can be washed by dipping them in hot soapy water.Squeeze out with your fingertips rinse and then leave to dry naturally.

• Pencil sharpeners:These come in a small size for eyebrow and liner pencil and in a jumbo size for those lip and eye colour pencils. Both can become clogged up,especially if you tend to break the fresh point,because you use too much pressure when sharpening.They should be cleaned regularly. The best way to do this is to dislodge,with the sharp point of a needle or something similar,any pieces of colored ‘lead’ or wood which have become stuck inside the sharpener. Then give it a soapy water treatment using a stiff brush to get rid of all trace of pencil. An old toothbrush is just the thing for this. Dry thoroughly.

• Lipstick care: Sometimes lipstick escapes from its container on to your fingers. If you see any traces of colour on the metal or plastic base of the container,always wipe off immediately with a tissue. Then roll up a tissue to form a sausage shape and put it inside the top part of the lipstick container and twist it around. This will remove any lipstick that has escaped.

• Greased-up compact: All too often a compressed powder compact develop a greasy film across the top,which makes it very hard to use .The only remedy is to scrape the surface gently with something sharp such as an old (but clean) kitchen knife. To prevent a film forming,use a clean piece of cotton wool as a powder puff.

• Keeping the cap on: The tips of cosmetic pencils can be damaged if they are left lying around carelessly on a dressing table or in a handbag. Always keep the little metal or plastic caps on.