BY ANNE KIRYA
Many people have a dressing table full of makeup brushes and combs. It is important to keep tools like powder puffs, eye-shadow applicators and brushes clean at all times.

They get dirty and can harbour bacteria and germs.

You do not need a sterilizer to ensure the cleanliness of your tools.

For plastic combs, simply get a scrubbing brush and scrub with warm soapy water.

Clean your make up brushes depending on their make.

There are brushes with a wider head used to apply blush and powder. For these, hold the head under running water.

Use warm water for better results. Make sure the handle stays dry. If it gets wet, the glue bonding handle to the head may become loose.

The other is the brush with a smaller head. It is mainly used to apply make up to the eyes or the lips.

For this brush, lather the head with soap and massage gently. Rinse until clean. Good brushes can be costly, but keeping them clean makes them last longer.

Put the brushes on a towel to drain excess water and then air dry. Rinse all your makeup brushes thoroughly as soap residue may irritate your skin.

Makeup sponges are used to blend makeup into the skin and also to wipe away any excesses. These should be washed like any other cloth and dried under the sun.

For powder puffs, washing is not an option. It is advisable to change them every five weeks. It is also safer not to share them.

The mirror is the most important object on your makeup table.

Mix some vinegar and water. Using a dry piece of paper, wipe the mirror clean with the solution.