HOW TO NOT DESTROY YOUR BRUSHES.

I like having many, many brushes. I like cleaning brushes. I do not like people mistreating brushes. So here is my contribution to the world, and hopefully everyone will respect their brushes a little more in the future.

First of all, these brushes are going on your face every, if not most days. If you have one set (as in, one brush for each stage of your make-up) you should be washing them EVERY WEEK at least. I have more brushes, as well as sponges & I also use my hands, so I probably average every three weeks, or a month before washing my brushes - depending on how much makeup I have wearing, as well as how many different looks & colours. My professional brushes are washed after every shoot.

So, how should you be washing your brushes, and what do you need?

1. A cleanser/soap/shampoo. I love Dr. Bronner’s shampoo, in either plain, baby or lavender. It’s cheap, eco friendly, vegan and strong enough to take off oily products, as well as unlikely to give anyone a reacton. If you don't want to commit to buying this, then use your normal shampoo, or try out a mini size - they are normally stocked in health food shops, but Dr Bronner’s is popping up in Boots, Urban Outfitters & supermarkets so keep an eye out.

2. A towel. I like to wash my brushes, then squeeze out extra water in the sink, and then again in my towel, before laying them out on the towel, or along a shelf. Lying your brushes on a shelf is the best way to dry them as they fan out nicely, but I normally have too many for the shelves in my house! Never tip your brushes upside down while wet, as water can damage the glue & wood.

3. A brush pad. You don't need this, but it makes live A LOT easier. It’s essentially a silicone soap dish with little lines and dots on, designed to gently massage the brush hairs and to help clean any product out. Bonus points if you can track down a glove. I recently saw a brush cleaning pad in Primark for under £3, but I haven’t used this one so don't know how good it is, but the Real Techniques one is great!

So now you have all your supplies, load up a podcast, roll back your sleeves and get washing! Wash until you have white sudsy bubbles (it make take a few times, especially on heavy long lasting foundation), then rinse until clear. Squeeze out the water, reshape the brush hairs, lay out to dry (on a towel or on a shelf) and be proud of yourself when you have clean and fluffy brushes to use in the morning.

ISSY TIP: keep your brushes in a separate bag/canister to your makeup. It keeps them cleaner, and stops the brushes splaying. The Glossier bubble bags are perfect for this.

ISSY PRO TIP: use Washi tape to get a clean line when you mark your brushes with nail varnish, but make sure to take it off when the varnish hasn't quite dried, otherwise the line won’t be clean.