Makeup and other beauty products are great for making us feel more confident and enhancing natural beauty, which is why they're so popular with many people across the world.
But because they are often worn every day, they can wreak havoc on our clothes and bedding, creating stains that seem impossible to get rid of.
Things like fake tan can easily be transferred onto what we're wearing which results in unsightly orange marks that don't always go away in the wash. But one makeup artist has revealed a simple way to treat the majority of different makeup stains - including that pesky fake tan.
Saffron Hughes, who works with FalseEyelashes.co.uk, says that baking soda is all you need to make your clothes look as good as new again after being stained with tan.
She said: “If you’re finding that fake tan stains are lingering, even after washing, then it’ll require something more abrasive to lift the product from the clothing. Mix a paste of equal parts baking soda and cold water then apply to the stain for 15 minutes, before washing off with warm water. The stain will have lifted any colour lingering from the fabric fibres.”
Saffron also offered her expertise on a number of other makeup stains that are difficult to get rid of when they appear on clothes.
How to get makeup stains out
Foundation
Saffron advises that before you treat a liquid foundation stain, look to the back of the bottle to determine whether the product is oil or water based.
She said: “The way you treat a foundation stain is dependent on the formula of the product. Oil-based formulas should be treated quickly to prevent the stain from setting.
"Firstly, remove the excess foundation from the clothing using a credit card or butter knife - whatever you have to hand. Dampen the stained area with cold water then, using a teaspoon of dish soap which acts as a degreaser for oil based products, massage it into the area then blot with a damp cloth.
"For water-based foundation, do the same but swap dish washing liquid out for your usual washing detergent. When blotting the stain, be careful not to wipe the product as you risk spreading the stain further. Wash your clothing within 24 hours to prevent the stain from setting further."
Lipstick
Ever put on an item of clothing only to see a stubborn lipstick stain?
If so, Saffron suggests turning back to your makeup bag to remove this oily stain.
She said: "Lipstick is made of a combination of wax and oil, so no wonder that its a tough one to shift. First, aggravate any remaining lipstick wax by brushing the stain with an old toothbrush, then spray the area with hairspray.
"The alcohol in hairspray acts as a tough degreasing agent and is more likely to lift the stain than a typical detergent. Let the stain sit, then wash as normal."
Loose powder
It may not seem like the light, powdery substance can do much damage, but getting it on your clothes could result in long-lasting stains.
Saffron explained: "Dry powders can stain just as much as oil-based products. To prevent the colour staining your clothing, blow away any excess powder with a hairdryer. Do not rub the product, as you risk wiping the powder into the clothing.
"Take your usual makeup remover, such as a wipe or micellar water and gently blot any remnants of powder on your clothing."
Eyeliner
Water should never be used to treat eyeliner stains, as it can make the product bleed out and create an even bigger mess.
Instead, Saffron advises to use a neat liquid detergent or washing powder instead: "Cover the affected area with it, being careful not to rub the product in. Let it sit, then wash with cold water, then wash as normal."
Nail varnish
A nail varnish spillage is enough to make your heart sink, but it's not as difficult to remove as you might think.
The expert said: "First of all, scrape any excess nail varnish from the surface. Apply an acetone nail varnish remover to a microfiber cloth, blotting the stain.
"Turn your clothing over, then apply the varnish remover to the other side of the stain for the best results. Rinse the clothing in warm water, then repeat if colour still remains. Once you’ve got out as much colour as possible, wash your clothing as normal."
Lipgloss
Finally, Saffron says you can remove sticky lip gloss stains by preparing a simple mixture of common household ingredients.
She said: "Make a paste with equal parts white vinegar, baking soda and dish soap. Apply the mixture to the stain, waiting a few minutes before wiping away with a damp cloth."
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