If you can’t remember when you last cleaned your makeup brushes and sponges, then now might be a good time to give them a bit of a spring clean …

If you have noticed that your foundation looks streaky after you apply it, or that your blusher is looking blotchy … your brushes are probably to blame. They may look clean, but actually they’re dirty.

A little pink heart to help you to learn to love cleaning your brushes!

This rabbit has some interesting textured surfaces to speed the cleaning process

Well, we chose this one because it’s cute … and the textures do a good job.

Constantly using brushes and sponges that are clogged with facial oil, dead skin, and makeup residue can also cause skin problems, and you don’t want to get acne at any age!

It’s really simple to solve the problem; in fact, it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why you don’t do it more often!

To clean your brushes, wash them once a month in any of these three items:

• A gentle foaming facial cleanser
• Cetaphil or some other anti-bacterial lotion
• Baby shampoo

…all of which are easier on the bristles and glue than dish detergent or soap.

Squirt a few drops into a glass of warm water and gently swish the brushes without rubbing too hard. Rinse, blot dry, then lay the brushes flat on a clean dry towel and let them dry naturally.

Avoid drying your brushes with the bristles pointing up, because water dripping into the handle can loosen the glue and make the bristles fall out. I have found the best method is to lie them on a clean towel.

If your makeup is heavy, or you use your brushes several times a day, try to wash them every week or two. And be warned, heavy makeup can be very aging.

Hopefully you have spent good money on your brushes and you may want to use a professional brush cleaning product such as Japonesque Pro Brush Cleaner Wipes or Beauty So Clean Brush Cleanser. These products remove oil and dirt without you having to wash your brushes in water.

And if you want to change make-up colours quickly using the same brush, clean it between colours with Sephora Daily Brush Cleaner. Spray the brush, then wipe it on a towel; your brush will be ready to use again in a few minutes.

Keeping your brushes clean will help you achieve the less is more look and a more glamorous appearance …