DIY Beauty: How to Recycle / Re-use your old Mascara Wands / Brushes

I've been having a clear out of my make-up this weekend in preparation for my new Muji make-up storage drawers which are due to arrive next week.  Whilst some things have gone straight into the bin (erm sweaty lipsticks and dried out eyeshadows from my teenage years anyone?  Honestly, I had a bit of a Chelsea Wears moment when I was throwing stuff out!), I decided to keep a few old mascaras to one side in order to re-use their wands.  

If you fancy doing the same, here are some pointers to start you off:- 

1. Pick out which old mascara wands you want to re-use.  Not all of them will be suitable, but it depends what you want to use them for.  The ones I find the most useful are the traditional bristle tree shaped ones.
2. Take off any excess mascara with some kitchen paper or an old cloth.  This will make the cleaning process much easier.
3. Put the mascara wands into an old mug/glass full of hot water and leave them soak for 10 minutes or so, and then rinse under a tap.
4. If needed, use a little of your waterproof eye-make-up remover to take off any stubborn mascara that may be still left.
5. Allow to dry and you're ready to re-use them!

5 easy ways to re-use your old mascara wands:-

1. Have a mascara that you love the formula of but hate the brush?  Simply discard the rubbish brush and use with one that you do like, or experiment to create different looks with different brushes and mascaras.
2. Use one as an eyebrow comb when applying eyebrow pencils or powders or helps to just tidy them up if they're a bit unruly.
3. Use one to coat eyelashes with castor oil to help them grow.
4. Comb through lashes after applying mascara to separate and remove clumps.
5. Around the house, you can use them to clean hard to reach and fiddly areas like taps, in between bathroom tiles and that bit in the windowsill that always gets grubby quickly!

Do you re-use your old mascara wands / brushes?  

If you have a tip to share, feel free to pop it in the comments below!

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