Q Can you tell me the best way to clean make-up brushes and prolong their life? Sue Stone
A As luck would have it, a few days after you e-mailed your question I had an appointment to meet the queen of brushes herself, Laura Mercier, in town to promote her new spring/summer range.
Her recommendation is this: clean any cream brush as often as you can. Use an antibacterial washing-up liquid or a mild shampoo, and gently rub the tip of the brush between your fingers, working old make-up out and down.
You should also clean all sponges regularly, especially foundation/powder sponges. Ever wondered what that unsightly crust on the top of your powder compact is? Oil and bacteria, that’s what. Loose powder brushes need to be cleaned less often – once a month should suffice – but if you use an eyeliner brush, keep it as clean as you can. If you’re in a hurry, an antibacterial spray is good. Laura Mercier does one: Brush Cleanser, £14.
Please e-mail your beauty questions to sarah.vine@thetimes.co.uk, or write to Sarah Vine, The Times, 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1TT