Makeup Brushes 101, Part 1: Face Brushes

Our makeup kits are an assortment of odds and ends of application tools.  More often, our makeup is either out of fashion or to a makeup junkie, full of products as a result of a makeup addiction.    Depending on your skill level, and usage, my general rule is choose quality brushes.  When buying brushes, make sure it doesn’t scratch on your face.  It should be soft, smooth and leaves no excess brush hair on the face.  It shouldn’t push, pull and lift your skin, but rather glide and make it easier to get the look that you want effortlessly.

img_0403

The most important thing in getting your makeup on fleek is to have the right tools.  A small collection of the right beauty products suited for you is better to have, because the investment in possessing the right, quality  brushes is the more important aspect in a good makeup application.   They do half the battle for you so to speak.

One last thing, as we get older, we tend to use less fewer products on our face.  Getting the right look and making it last longer is all about simplicity.

Here is what you essentially need:

Face

Foundation Brush

A rounded end of a foundation brush made of synthetic nylon material is best used for a liquid or cream based foundation.  The bristles doesn’t absorb much product eliminating waste.  Look for a tight firm brush head.  Spread foundation from the centre of the face going outwards.  Tap or stipple foundation when you see brush streaks or use a sponge to remove unwanted lines.

img_0393
Synthetic Hair, look for a thick dense bristle head. This spreads out the foundation or product evenly.

 

Micro Fiber Foundation Brush

A Micro Fiber foundation brush makes liquid and powder foundation look flawless.  It is used to give you an airbrushed look.  The white hairs absorb the product while the darker portion helps buff, polish it in so no need for loading up with product.

 

img_0395
Called a Stippling brush, stipple the product onto the face for medium coverage. Swirl the white portion of the brush into the product and spread in a circling motion until you don’t see lines on the face.

 

Cream Foundation Brush

I added this to the list of essentials because I normally use cream or liquid foundations and I find that these are my favourite foundation brushes because it applies and buffs product on my face at the same time and it also gives me an airbrushed look.

 

img_0397
My favourite brush is the one on the left with the white hair. It’s a Shu Uemura one 18 made of goat hair. I am spoiled.

 

Powder/Blush Brush

A dome shape is what you need to look for when buying.  Made of animal hair, it is used for both powder and blush.  There are good ones made with synthetic fibres that mimic animal hair.  Just make sure it is not too big and too loosely held as this disperses the product too much.

 

img_0399
The brush 2nd from left is also used to contour your cheeks. These brushes should feel soft and silky and not give you scratches.

 

Fan Brush

It is good for removing messy eyelash fallout, it is used for applying highlighter to the cheekbone, centre of the forehead and the chin.

img_0400
The hairs in this brush is made of squirrel. I use this also for applying translucent powder on the face when I want a light dusting on my face.

 

Contour Brush

Look for one that is made of animal hair to get the most use of this brush.  It is meant to blend cream or liquid products for shading or contouring on the areas of the face.

 

img_0402
My go to brush is the one marked 25S by Makeup Forever. It sits perfectly underneath my cheekbone and gives me killer cheekbones.

 

Concealer Brush

For the application of liquid or cream based concealers specifically under the eyes.  It is usually made of synthetic fibres which do not absorb product.  It an also double as a lip brush depending on the size.

img_0401
On days you don’t want to use your fingers, these brushes blend your concealer like a dream. The smaller one may be used as a lip brush too.

 

 

A Beauty Blender Sponge

It looks egg shaped and best used when damp.  It doubles in size when wet.  I use this when I want to sheer out my foundation and blend out any edges of my makeup.

https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/0Y-ywum978BR0rkEBg-HXboEgoM/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:format_auto-!!-:strip_icc-!!-/2015/10/19/809/n/1922153/8054f0ad_edit_img_image_2387621_1445216400_beauty-blenders/i/Beautyblender-Tips.jpg
I use the black coloured one. Its the next best thing to using your fingers. It blurs, blends and smooths any unwanted lines.  I can’t live without this.

 

What are your favourite face brushes?  Do you prefer synthetic ones or those with natural hair?  Let me know in the comments section below.