When I first got into makeup, brushes were around, only not in the host of types and brands nowadays. Back then good ol' fingers were the main makeup application tool for at lot of your look. I know how overwhelming it can be to go out there and see 10 different types of eyeliner brushes and not know what to do, only to walk out in frustration. I hope this post can help you know what are the basic tools required to apply makeup and then you can shop for brushes with the intent of the brush you want to buy. This is singularly the most important question when buying makeup products...what will this product help me achieve.
Brush overload: Be gone...
Brush overload: Be gone...
Before starting you should know there are 2 types of brushes: Synthetic (man made fibres) and Natural (as apparent from the name, animal hair). The preference is a personal choice mostly. I don't mind either but synthetic brushes are generally more easier to clean and more commonly used.
So moving on with FACE BRUSHES:
You want a flawless base when applying primer or foundation. Though fingers work nicely, they tend to give more of a natural finish. When applying on other people they may not prefer fingers. Special shaped brushes can cater to specific types of foundations better.
1. Flat Foundation Brush:
- It's ideal for liquid formulas.
- Easy to clean as base is flat and has less surface area.
- Use outward and downward strokes. You may see streaks, but after applying, gently pat the brush on the skin gently to get rid of them.
2. Flat Topped Kabuki Brush:
- These can be dense or sparse. The term kabuki means dual fibers, so 2 colored fibers, gives smoother blending effect.
- Ideal for cream foundations. Also good for cream blushes and highlighters. After blending foundation in stippling and or circular rotations, apply cream blush on apples of cheek, and highlighter above.
- Have to maintain cleaning regularly as gunk can collect deep within the brush hair, causing bacterial build-up.
- A good way is to spot clean after every use, meaning swipe it back and forth over a makeup removing wipe or a cotton pad with some makeup remover. Deep cleaning by shampooing with gentle shampoo is required at least after 5 uses.
3. Dome Shaped Kabuki:
- Best suited for powder foundations and mineral based foundations.
- Use in firm circular strokes.
- Same cleaning required. Gives radiant look.
4. Concealer Brush:
- Looks like a miniature version of the flat foundation brush. Is ideal for getting the concealer on in difficult to get areas like inner eyelids, corner of the nose or pin pointed blemishes.
- Point to note that a fluffy version can be used to blend the product, whereas this one is more precise in patting motions.
5. Powder Brush:
- Big and fluffy, very soft.
- Used for gently brushing on powder to set the foundation and concealer.
- Be careful to knock of extra product.
6. Small Setting Brush:
- Used for setting with powder in specific areas, like just under the eyes or in the T zone.
- Can be used for contouring.
7. Typical Blush Brush:
- Used to apply powder blush to apples of cheek and cheek bones.
8. Angled Blush Brush:
- Also for the same purpose, but it will give a more defined border.
- Also can be used for contouring.
9. Fan Brush:
- Ideal for applying highlighter powder to tops of cheek bones, bridge of nose and anywhere else.
- With some work, can beautiful chiseled contour look.
Moving on to EYE BRUSHES:
1.Typical Lay Down Shadow Brush:
- Used to pack on eyeshadow, can be used to layer cream product also.
2. Fluffy Eyeshadow Brush:
- Gives a more dispersed, less dense shadow application.
- Can blend shadow with it also.
3.Crease Defining Brush:
- Used to apply darker shades in crease and blending it out.
4. Pencil Brush:
- Used specially for smudging color under the eyes or smudging eyeliner.
- Also good for fine crease work.
5.Angled Eyeliner Brush:
- Can be used for applying eyeshadow (dry or wet) as liner.
- Also can be used for filling in brows.
6. Fine Eyeliner Brush:
- Used for thin or thick lines around the eyes...very nice to create bold eyeliner or cat eye liner.
7. Spooly/ Lash Comb:
- The comb is used to separate lashes during mascara application and the comb with thick bristles can be used to tidy up brows, same with the circular spooly.
Lastly LIP BRUSH:
- Can apply lipstick without contaminating the tube.
- Gives more precise application and more vivid color and long lasting lipstick.
There are so many variations on these and some brushes that defy explanation, they are so fancy. But the time tested and basic ones are the ones I have mentioned above.
Some famous companies that make good brushes:
There are many more out there. But you can cater to your own needs by referring to what function you want out of it.
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