Do you have trouble achieving a flawless makeup? Makeup brushes can make a huge difference in your makeup application. A good brush will make it easier to deposit just the right amount of product and helps to blend it smoothly and evenly for a flawless finish. Good quality, high performing brushes don’t have to be incredibly expensive. There are a variety of brands to fit everyone’s budget. Here are the top 5 makeup brushes I recommend for your daily basic makeup routine.
1. Beauty Blender
Re-usable multifunction sponge. This is my most recent discovery in terms of beauty tool. Easy to use, it’s great for blending foundation, concealer and liquid products. The pointy tip helps you reach those more precise areas like the inner corner of the eyes and around the nose. Apply a small amount of product on your face using your fingers. Wet the makeup sponge and squeeze out any excess water. Spread the product by dabbing the sponge onto your face using a bouncing motion concentrating the application where most needed. Even out your product for a smooth and sheer canvas as if you’re not wearing any makeup at all. My clients love this technique. It’s also relaxing and refreshing at the same time.
The original beauty blender sells for around $28, but you can find great replica at the pharmacy and online for a fraction of the price. And they work just as good!
2. Powder/Blush/Bronzer Brush
You should have at least one good quality powder brush in your makeup collection. Use it to apply powder products on your face, like bronzing powder and pressed powder. This brush will delicately sculpt your face when using the ‘3’ shape application. The long fluffy bristles evenly diffuse loose powder and blush. If you want a medium to heavy coverage, look for very dense bristles with a rounded top brush. Shake the brush after you’ve dipped it into the powder to dust off any excess. Use light pressure when sweeping across your face to avoid blotches of color.
3. Flat Eye Shader
This brush is squared headed with slightly rounded edges. Use it to apply pressed or loose eyeshadow over the eyelid and the brow bone. If you like to play with color, I suggest you keep more than one in your makeup collection. Use one for light, shimmering colors and one for medium to dark shades that you can apply to the outer corner of your eyelids.
4. Fluffy Blending Brush
Soften and blend away any hard edges with a blending brush. Blending is key if you want a natural looking makeup. Apply a darker eyeshadow to the crease of the eye for more definition. Tip: For a quick makeup look, I love to dip my blending brush in my bronzer and apply into my crease. It adds definition to your eyes and it’s easy to do if you’re squeezed with time.
5. Small Angled Eyeliner Brush
An angled brush is a versatile tool. Essential for the application of cream or gel eyeliner. A damp angled brush can be used to draw your upper and lower lash line with powder eyeshadow. This will create a smokier eye look compared to using a regular eyeliner pencil. Also a practical tool to define and fill in your brows with powder.
Fingers
No matter how many brushes exist out there, fingers will always remain a beautician’s best friend. Using your fingertip, you can easily reach small areas around the eyes and nose applying product precisely where needed. The warmth of your finger helps to soften the product allowing for an easier and smoother application.
Natural versus Synthetic
Natural makeup brushes are your best bet. They work wonders with bronzers and powders in general. Expect to pay between $25 to $40 per brush. As for synthetic brushes, they tend to work best with liquid and cream products. Since they’re hand-crafted out of materials like polyester and nylon, they’re more affordable than natural makeup brushes.
How to Clean Your Brushes
It’s recommended to wash your brushes once a week. Rinse the bristles under water. Gently massage your brush across your palm using a delicate soap like baby shampoo. Rinse again and squeeze excess water out. Lay your brushes flat on a towel overnight. They’ll be ready for you to use in the morning!
Do you have any makeup brushes you swear by? I would love to hear about your “coup de coeur”!
Mel xx
