How often should you wash your make-up...

A recent survey has revealed that 61% of women clean their make-up brushes once a month, if at all. The survey was carried out by Harris Poll on behalf of Anisa International and tells us that not enough of us are keeping things clean in the brush department.

But why? The most common excuses were lack of time and not knowing how to do it. So while we won’t hesitate to spend a lot of money on the best make-up brush out there, we’re unlikely to care for it properly.

Make-up brushes are breeding grounds for blemish-causing bacteria, so washing them regularly is important for clear, healthy skin. So, the big question is – how often do we need to wash them?

Make-up artist for MAC, Belle Jordan told Huff Post UK Style that spot cleaning should take place every couple of uses, and a deep cleanse every 2-4 weeks. Belle recommends the following methods…

For spot cleaning:

Use a brush cleaner spray (MAC brush cleanser is ideal) on some kitchen roll to spot clean brushes after every couple of uses. You can use a facial cleansing oil to help break up stubborn product on foundation brushes.

For deep cleaning:

Pour some baby soap (such as Dr Bronner Baby Mild Soap) into the palm of your hand with a little water and swirl your brushes around. Use your fingers to massage the brush and rinse thoroughly. Do this every couple of weeks.

Dry your brushes by resting them on a surface, hanging off the edge so the brush heads can air dry.