All About Brushes

from makeup

When it comes to your tools, splurge! Good quality brushes should last you ten years. The right brushes can make all the difference in makeup application. You wouldn't use a screwdriver to hammer in a nail because it wouldn't work. The same idea goes for makeup. You need the proper tools to create the look you want. Make sure that your brushes stay clean so they don't collect bacteria. Use a mild detergent and water (or shampoo) to wash brushes similar to how you would wash your own hair. Rinse thoroughly and lay brushes flat on a towel to dry. You can also use a brush cleaner (sold in beauty supply stores) to disinfect brushes quickly.

Large concealer brush

Use large concealer brushes for the under-eye area and other large areas that may need concealing. Look for sable or synthetic bristles that are flat and rounded. These brushes are also great for contouring smaller areas like the sides of the nose.

Precision Concealer Brush

Use precision concealer brushes if you have very small areas that need lots of help. Use this brush for sun spots and acne or scarring.

Small Concealer Brush

Small concealer brushes are prefered for smaller areas that have darkness, usually for small dark circles under the inner corner of eye. These are also great to use with a tiny bit of concealer as an eraser to clean up mistakes around the mouth and under the eyes.

Large Lip Brush

Lip brushes definitely make a difference in creating that perfect lip. Use large ones for larger mouths or if I'm applying lip gloss. Look for synthetic or sable bristles.

Small Lip Brush

The small lip brush is great for smaller mouths, obviously, but it can also be use to finish off a dark lip look when you want the lines around the lips to be perfect. Look for synthetic or sable bristles.

Fan Brush

Small fan brushes are great for soft applications of powder blushes and highlighters. Large brushes can also be used for loose powder. Make sure the bristles are very soft to the touch.

Blush Brush

The blush brush is great for applying color to the apples of the cheeks. I also keep several around for contouring or to use with highlighters. They need to be soft so they don't irritate the cheek area.

Small Powder Brush

Use this brush to powder underneath the eye or wherever else there might be small creases like laugh lines. This brush is great for touch-ups throughout the day.

Large Foundation Brush

Synthetic is best to absorb less product and go on more smoothly. These brushes are great for contouring and blending foundation. Get a second one to apply cream blush.

Powder Brush

You can use them to bronze the face and chest, to softly dust powder to set makeup, or to dust shimmer. The brush you choose should feel heavenly.

Blend Brush

This is great to use to blend eye shadows together. Be careful not to blend the different shadow layers too much, or the color will appear muddy. Especially when you're dealing with the delicate eye area, it's important to buy a really soft brush with long, fine hairs.

Flat Shadow Sponge Brush

Sponge brush is usually meant for expert makeup artists. It deposits heavy amounts of shadow to the eyelid. They usually have disposable heads, so change them often.

Large Shadow Brush

I like to use the flat side of this brush to apply heavier amounts of shadow onto the largest area on the lids. Apply shadow with this brush by gently tapping the brush from side to side on your lid. Always use softer hairs when working with the eye area; most of these brushes are made from goat or sable.

Fluffy Shadow Brush

Great for looser, soft applications of shadow, such as applying a soft shimmer.

Small Fluffy Shadow Brush

Use this brush closer to the base of the lid (layer 3). Look for bristles that are soft and firm, usually made of goat hairs.

Small Shadow Contour Brush

Use to smudge thicker amounts of liner to create a smoky effect on the eye. This brush is also great for contouring lids at creases for those with larger double eyelids.

Spool Brush

The spool is a great brush for cleaning up excess mascara. A lot of makeup artists also use this brush for smoothing out fine-to-normal brows or removing excess sculpting gel from eyebrows.

Eyelash Comb/Brow Brush

Use the lash comb if you've applied too much mascara. The metal ones are finer, but definitely scarier. Metal eyelash combs are incredibly sharp; their teeth look like twelve very fine sewing needles in a row. I've stabbed myself in the finger many times just picking one up. They do separate lashes better, but for safety go for plastic. The bristle brush is great for thicker eyebrows because it gets deeper into the brow layers.

Small Angle Brow Brush

Look for short, semi-stiff bristles to fill in brows with powder. I also like synthetic bristles when working with creams or to create a sharper angle.

Liner Smudge Brush

This is a must-have for all ladies. Use it to smudge eyeliner to create an even line. Look for synthetic and short bristles.

Flat Liner Brush

This brush is great to create lines with eye shadows. It's also great for beginners who don't have the steadiest hands.

Detailed Small Shadow Brush

This brush is great to create lines with eye shadows. It's also great for beginners who don't have the steadiest hands.

Liner Brush

Use this brush for creating lines with gels or cream liners. I prefer the hairs to be semi-stiff for more control and ease.