The giveaway for Maybelline’s Lash Stiletto mascara is now closed. Thanks very much for your participation 🙂

There were 45 contestants (thanks girls!), and after running the list through random.org, here are the top 20. And at the top of the list, we have our winner.

CONGRATULATIONS CELINE!

I’ve just popped you an email to get your contact details. As for the rest, fret not, as there’s still a chance for you to win my birthday giveaway.

All the best!

Ahh … have I caught you there? When was the last time you gave your hairbrush and/or comb a good cleaning? 😉

If you want to keep your hair tangle-free, dirt-free, etc-free for long, it’s important to use clean hairbrushes or combs. Hairbrushes and combs get dirty with repeated use, especially if you use styling products on your hair. This does not only apply to women, but even more importantly, to men who use hair wax or gel on a daily basis.

Imagine after washing your hair, it’s all nice and clean, and then comb all that clean hair with a gunky comb that you haven’t washed in ages.

How’s that for motivation?

There’s no need to throw out that old brush or comb and get new ones just because it’s accumulated so much gunk over the months and *gasp* years.  If the bristles aren’t worn or snapped off, when you do give them a good cleaning at least once a week, it should work like new.

I’ve had the same hairbrush and comb for 7-8 years now. Even though I bought a new hairbrush a month ago, I couldn’t bear to throw out the old paddlebrush I bought from Boots 7 years ago. Holds such a sentimental value to me.

I digress. To properly give your hairbrush or comb a good cleaning, all you need is:
1. Shampoo
2. Toothpick
3. Toothbrush

If you haven’t removed hairs from your hairbrush for a long time, chances are there will be a LOT of tangled hairs at the base of the comb. Remove hair which are sticking out of the brush with your fingers, stick a toothpick in between the hairs at the base and gently pull out the bits that are stuck to the base.

I keep a separate toothbrush just to clean my hairbrush and comb (also to clean the husband’s). A cheapo toothbrush would do; I got mine from the $2 store (4 in a pack). Squeeze out some shampoo onto the toothbrush, and start brushing the hairbrush or comb. I like to use hot water when washing the gunk out.

Some people recommend soaking the hairbrushes and combs in hot water and bleach first before cleaning the brushes. I don’t think it’s necessary if you maintain your hairbrush and combs well. Remember to let the hairbrushes and combs dry completely before using them.

Time to go wash your hairbrush and/or combs, girls. While you’re at it, why not wash your man’s combs too? Chances are, they haven’t washed theirs in ages too 😉

Before I bring you shopping in my stash with me, first of all, I’m going to show you where I stash my stash.

As you will see, I have a very simple dresser and set of makeup containers. It may not be fancy, but I always get a kick when I’m at my dresser, looking at my beloved skincare and makeup items.

My vanity area. I don’t need a mirror to go with that dresser, as it’s placed right next to the ceiling-to-floor mirror, which in my opinion, is simply awesome :p

I recently bought a corkboard from IKEA to place my bottles of lotions and potions. It holds my to-do checklists, ideas, exercise reminders, etc. Whenever I see something interesting in magazines, or if a particular picture catches my eye, I cut it out and stick it on my board of ideas.

Next to my plastic drawers is a bottle of hand sanitiser. Great for when I put on makeup. I like to have clean hands before touching my face.

My perfumes, skin, body and haircare items, which I use on a regular basis. The two porcelain containers on the left holding my hairbrush, comb and facial cotton are gems that I scored from Freedom at AU$2 a piece. These are still available at the store, and I’m going to get another set for future use.

The pink and white thing you see on the left is the Neutrogena Wave Power cleanser. I bought the gadget on a whim, after reading the hype. Even though it didn’t really work for me, my husbands LOVES it. Or he loves it when I massage and deep-cleanse his face with it every weekend 😛 Let me know if you want me to do a thorough review on this.

The round pewter case was a present from him (I think it was a Christmas present on one of the years). He sent it to me from Australia, and there’s an inscription in front. For me to know, for you to find out 😉 We keep our wedding bands in there, together with my watch, when we’re not wearing them at home. Oh, and that Moxie tin (originally came with pantyliners) is now used to keep emergency meds I carry in my bag. I forgot to put that in.

These wooden drawers were from IKEA. It was such a pain in the behind to put up. I was hammering away, and got so fed up with the crappy nails it came with, that I gave up and left it aside. One Saturday, after I came home from Wicked, I was very surprised to find it all done up. Hubs did it whilst I was out. Aww.

I keep powder, foundation, lipgloss, lipbalm, eyeshadows and blush in these drawers. I lined the drawers with scented paper which I bought from The Reject Shop. So even though most of my makeup contain no fragrance, I still get the pleasant smell of vanilla everytime I pick up a blush or lipgloss.

Plastic drawers from the $2 store. I use it to store my mascaras, eyeliners, grooming tools, and pimple creams.

Makeup which I seldom use goes into the top drawer of the chest. I also store my makeup brushes, nail polish, nail polish removers, makeup removers, makeup brush cleaner, and whatever miscellaneous items I can chuck in there.

There you go, that’s where I stash my stash. I’m real glad to be able to get all these done up on the cheap. Next project would be to decorate the wooden drawers and corkboard. We’ll see how that goes.

Where do you stash your stash? Do share. I just love makeup storage ideas, don’t you? 🙂