CLEAN YOUR MAKEUP TOOLS

The downside: you shelled out a pretty penny for all those brushes and beauty tools. And unfortunately in the year 2013, self-cleaning makeup tools have not risen to the top of technology’s greatest innovations (a girl can dream, right?). The upside: you can pin this handy dandy infographic and have a how to clean anything cheat sheet available to you at all times. That’s right, ladies, no more excuses!

How to Clean a Makeup Sponge

1. Wet. Run the sponge under warm water.
2. Lather. Using a few drops of mild soap or gentle shampoo work any product out of the sponge with your fingers.
3. Rinse. Rinse the sponge until the water runs clear.
4. Dry. Wring it out and pat dry with a clean towel. Allow the sponge to air dry, or if you prefer to use it damp, go ahead and put it to work.
5. Repeat. Makeup sponges should be cleaned after every few uses or once there is no longer a clean, unused section. Rinsing the sponge with warm water after each use will also help keep the germs away and your sponge in good condition.

How to: Clean Your Makeup Brushes

1. Rinse. Rinse the bristles, always with water streaming down–you want to avoid running water directly into the base of the brush, which can weaken the glue and shorten the lifespan of your brush.
2. Cleanse. Work a small amount of gentle shampoo (we prefer to use baby shampoo) into the bristles. Lather, rinse, and repeat until the water runs clear.
3. Disinfect. Now that your brushes are clean, it’s time to disinfect. Mix a solution of 2 parts water and 1 part vinegar in a shallow bowl. Swoosh the brush around in the bowl for a minute or two (again, trying not to submerge it fully). Rinse with fresh water.
4. Dry. Reshape the bristles and lay clean brushes flat on a towel overnight to dry.
5. Repeat. Clean your brushes every other week to keep the germs away from your makeup and off your skin.

How to: Clean Your Hairbrush

1. Prep. Remove as much hair from the bristles as you can. Using a comb or toothpick can help you grab what your fingers may miss.
2. Soak. Fill a bowl with water and add a few drops of clarifying shampoo. If your brush is plastic, soak it for three to five minutes. If your brush has a fabric head, do not soak it, but dip the bristles in the water a few times.
3. Scrub. To get those bristles good as new, take an unused toothbrush, wet it with the soapy water and give it a good scrub. Rinse with fresh water.
4. Dry. Lay the brush bristle-side down on a towel to allow water to drain out of the base. Leave it to dry overnight.
5. Repeat. Give your brush a bath once a month to prevent product buildup from comprising the quality of your lovely locks.

How to: Clean Your Metal Tools

1. Wash. For metal tools like tweezers, eyelash curlers, eyebrow trimmers, cuticle nippers, and nail clippers, wash them down using water and antibacterial soap. Pat dry with a clean towel.
2. Sanitize. Thoroughly wipe down the tool with an alcohol-soaked cotton ball. Allow it to dry for a few moments. If the tool comes in contact with your face, rinse it with water (no need to rinse your nail tools). Pat dry with a clean towel.
3. Repeat. Ideally these types of beauty tools should at least be washed with soap and water after each use, if not sanitized as well. Aim to give them the full treatment every two weeks. Store your tools in a clean container to safeguard your hard work.