Cleaning Make Up Brushes

I've covered make up expiry dates, as well as DIY make up pads but I haven't given a tip on how to easily keep make up brushes clean. Obviously, you can just wash them in a little soap and water but I've found a great combination of products to use to remove make up much more easily and quickly is 1/2 portion of olive oil and 1/2 portion of washing up liquid. Just mix it together, swivel the brushes in the solution, rinse and there you go!

DIY Fabric Make-up Pads

I use a lot of disposable cotton wool pads to remove make-up, nail varnish, put on cleanser and toner and so on which isn't really very environmentally friendly.  So I've made some washable fabric pads which only took a little time, it will save me money and I can stop feeling guilty about not being green!

I used some spare flannel fabric that was in my sewing bag, nothing fancy. It can be cut into any shape you like; I did basic circles. I put a little more of the fabric in between two layers to bulk it up and sewed around the outside by hand - again, nothing fancy but enough to keep it all together snugly and for it to 'look' like a cotton pad.  And there it is - a reusable, washable pad for those particular beauty needs!  Next time though, I may try squares and use the sewing machine.

Expiry Dates on Make Up

Make up should be thrown away after a period of time - just like food, it has an expiry date which, if ignored, could mean there is risk of infection, rashes and so on.  Here's a list of how long items should be kept once opened:

• Mascara - this is first as it expires the fastest and it's the eye area where you really don't want nasty germs and bacteria...  Throw out after 4 months. 
• Concealer - 12 months. 
• Nail Polish - 12 months.
• Foundation - water-based foundation 12 months, oil-based 18 months. 
• Lipstick - 1 - 4 years
• Powder - 2 years.
• Blusher - 2 years.
• Pencil eye liner - 3 years.
• Eyeshadow - 3 years. 
• Lip liner - 3 years. 

Of course, get rid of it if it's looking manky or smells!