Are your cosmetics past their use-by date?

• Wash sponges or brushes at least once a week. Either use soap and warm water or invest in a brush cleaner solution, available at most department stores.

Tips

• Always wipe the brush after using if the concealer comes in a wand and brush package, especially if you're trying to cover a spot that may harbour bacteria. These concealers are more easily contaminated than stick ones, because they 'feed' bacteria back into the container.
• Ideally, use a stick or pump dispenser concealer on spots and pimples.

Tips

• Wash blusher brush and sponge once a week or more often if they look dirty.
• Wash hands before applying cream blush.

Tips

• Wash brushes and applicators at least once or twice a week or more if you are using one applicator to apply different shades.
• Wash hands if using fingers to apply.
• Do not use eyeshadow if you have an eye infection, as this may aggravate the area and make the problem worse. Also, you may unwittingly pass the bacteria on to the rest of the eyeshadow with the applicator or your finger.