How to clean make-up brushes (and how often)

Make-up brushes collect product, oil and dust every time you use them. Cleaning them regularly keeps them soft, helps your make-up go on more evenly and makes your brushes last longer.

How often?

• Foundation and concealer brushes: about once a week.
• Powder, blush and eyeshadow brushes: every one to two weeks.
• Sponges: ideally after every use.

Cleaning by hand

1. Wet the bristles with lukewarm water, keeping the handle and the ferrule (the metal part) as dry as possible.
2. Add a drop of mild soap or brush cleanser to the palm of your hand.
3. Swirl the brush gently in your palm until the foam is clear.
4. Rinse until the water runs clean.
5. Squeeze out the water with a towel and reshape the bristles.

Cleaning with an electric brush cleaner

An electric cleaner such as the Ordeno Brush Spa does the scrubbing for you. Add a little water and a drop of soap to the textured bowl, switch it on and hold the brush against the surface while it spins. Then rinse and dry as usual.

Drying: the step most people skip

Always let brushes dry lying flat or with the bristles pointing down. If you dry them upright, water runs into the ferrule and can loosen the glue over time. Give them a few hours, or overnight, before using them again.

When to replace a brush

If bristles keep falling out, the shape will not come back or the brush feels scratchy, it is time for a new one. The Ordeno Brush Set has 13 brushes for face and eyes, with a pouch. Or choose the Make-up Lover Set with brushes, cleaner and oil roller in one.