Natural bristles are porous so can be more high maintenance. Many also offer anti-bacterial protection, like Look Good Feel Better’s Anti-bacterial Brush Set, £35. Good quality ones should last 5-10 years. Synthetic brushes are the low maintenance choice – easy to clean and longer-lasting. Avoid warm, damp bathrooms, where bacteria will have a party. And store brushes in a cool, dry place, preferably in their own bag. 'At least two to three times a week, versus once a week for powder brushes,' suggests Lynne. Treat brushes you use to apply liquid textures to an extra wash or wipe. 'Bacteria and fungi prefer wet to dry conditions, so foundation brushes may accumulate micro-organisms quicker than dry powder brushes,' explains Stefanie. Still, best no to risk it, eh? Do some makeup brushes need more cleaning than others? It sounds scary but, 'the majority of these are not harmful if you have balanced skin with its natural protective acid mantle intact,' reassures Lynne. They're generally considered harmless, but they may be implicated in acne.'Īlso, invisible to the naked eye, is 'bacteria such as staphylococcus, streptococcus and e-coli, as well as fungi,' says Stefanie. 'Most of us have these tiny creatures, about a third of a millimetre long, residing at the base of our eyelashes and nose hairs, living off old skin cells and sebum.
'Under the microscope, you may see the remains of mites on your brushes,' reveals Lynne.
