The beauty tools you're forgetting to clean

Whether you actually do it or not, you know that you need to clean your make-up brushes regularly. The build-up of product isn’t any good for your skin, plus it means that the brushes aren’t doing the best job they can.

So what about your other beauty tools? Have you thought about giving them a good scrub? Because just like your dirty make-up brushes, they won’t be working as well and could be harbouring some nasty bacteria.

Here are just a few of the tools you should be giving a thorough clean.
 

YOUR TWEEZERS

Noticed that your tweezers aren’t plucking out hairs like the once did? That’s probably because the edges have become a bit blunt. Take a piece of sandpaper (or even your nail file) and file away the blunt edges, taking care not to make them too sharp. Also, make sure to spray them every couple of weeks with an alcohol-based brush cleaner and wipe the residue off.
Featuring: Colour by TBN Tweezers
 

YOUR EYELASH CURLER

Eyeliner, mascara and dirt can accumulate on the rubber part of your curler, so soak a cotton pad with make-up remover and wipe it clean. You can also follow this with a spritz of alcohol-based brush cleaner. You’ll also need to replace the rubber pad every so often.
Featuring: Artiste Eyelash Curler
 

YOUR PENCIL SHARPENER

Just like your eyelash curler, product will accumulate in your sharpener, and like your tweezers, the edges can get dull. Unscrew the razor inside, wipe it clean with a face wipe or a cotton pad soaked in make-up remover and carefully swipe it against a knife sharpener to sharpen the edges. You can also use a cotton bud soaked in make-up remover to clean the inside of the sharpener, before screwing the blade back in.
Featuring: Avon 3-in-1 Sharpener
 

YOUR MAKE-UP SPONGE

You make-up sponge collects as much product as your make-up brushes, so it’s important you keep it clean, too. Hold the sponge under warm water until it’s soaked. Then remove it and squeeze a drop or two of a gentle shampoo. Use your fingers to work the shampoo through. Rinse the sponge until the water runs clear. Squeeze out the excess water and leave it on a towel to dry.
Featuring: Manicare Latex Foundation Wedges
 

YOUR MAKE-UP BAG

Bet you didn’t even think about the excess product and dirt that’s building up in your make-up bag and latching onto your clean make-up brushes. Clean the inside of your bag with an all-purpose spray cleaner (like Pine O Cleen) and wipe down the surface and leave it to dry. If you keep your make-up in any sort of container or drawer, make sure you do the same to them.
Featuring: Chi Chi Small Make-up Bag
 

YOUR HAIR BRUSHES

Take a look at the brush you use every day. And then at the one you use when blow-drying your hair. If you see a lot of hair in them, they may not be doing such a great job and gripping your hair. Using the tail of a comb, loosen and lift all the hair from the base of the brush. Then wash the brush with some gentle shampoo and leave it to dry flat on a towel.
If you use a comb, it may have accumulated some grime in between the teeth. Remove all the hair from the comb, and then give it a scrub with an old toothbrush dipped in shampoo.
Featuring: Lady Jayne Ball-Tip Styling Brush
 

YOUR HAIR TOOLS

Have you ever noticed some residue building up on the sides of your curler or straightener? That’s your hair product. Wipe the plates clean with some alcohol or acetone but don’t scrub – you don’t want to scratch the plates.
And if your hairdryer doesn’t quite have the same powerful whirr it once did, it could be because lint has collected in the filter. Untwist the vent at the back of your dryer and run an old toothbrush over it to get rid of the lint.
Featuring: Cloud Nine The Micro Wand
 

YOUR NAIL PRODUCTS

If you expect your nail salon to use clean products on your hands and feet, you should expect the same from yourself as this will only minimise the chance of any infections. Soak your nail tools – like your clippers and scissors – in an antibacterial solution and rinse when done. It’s also a good idea to replace your nail files every couple of months.
Featuring: Sally Hansen Finest Fingernails

Do you wash all of your beauty tools? Which item in your kit is in need of a massive clean?