Flawless Makeup Begins Here - By Ashleigh Stewart

A rule of thumb when it comes to achieving a flawless makeup application is this - use clean brushes and tools! it is impossible to get the color payoff you want, or the blend of your dreams from a brush that is laden with an array of product from days gone by. A painter wouldn't use a brush that had been dipped in red, then use it to paint on white and expect to see a clean white without first cleaning the brush. The same goes for makeup.

With clean brushes not only will your makeup look better, it will be safer, and kinder to your skin too. A dirty makeup brush is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and mold (think a wet foundation brush!). Why even bother with cleansing your skin, if you are about to slather on germs, dirt and bacteria from your unwashed brush?

Last but certainly not least, your precious brushes will last WAY longer when you clean and care for them properly. The brushes you see in the image above are my own personal makeup brushes. Some of them are older than my first born who is 16 years old, and make no mistake, these brushes have been WELL USED, as I don't hold back with my makeup!

It is good practice to clean your personal brushes thoroughly at least once a week in hot water with a gentle shampoo or detergent. Between major washes it is suffice to spray them with brush cleaner and wipe them, or even swirl them round on a gentle baby wipe. While that wipe won't necessarily kill bacteria and germs on the spot, it will remove the product used that day, leaving it fresh for a new swipe of color tomorrow!

How often do you normally clean your own brushes? How do you clean them? I'd love to hear from you in the comments.

Ashleigh