7 Makeup Brushes You Should Have in Your Kit Right Now

Just how important are your makeup brushes?

Do they really make a difference in your makeup results? When you’re applying your makeup are you thinking about the brushes you use or are you just using the brush you have at your fingertips? And if they are important are you using the right brush for the makeup application it was intended?

According to the experts most people are “not” using the right brush but they insist that using the right brush for which is was intended can improve the way your cosmetics look on your skin and using the right eye makeup brushes will make your shadow application 100 times easier to apply.

Understanding your brushes doesn’t have to be all that complicated and you don’t need to own two dozen of them to get the makeup results you are looking for.

Here is a list of our top 7 makeup brushes you should have in your kit right now and how each brush should be used to get the maximum benefit.

The Makeup Sponge

What it is: And you thought this article was all about brushes but in our opinion the #1 all around and most effective makeup applicator is the makeup sponge. This little egg shaped sponge allows you to dab on your liquid or cream makeup products and will help you get a soft finish that looks fresh and dewy.

How it Works: Used damp or dry this little sponge is amazing for it’s ability to move from one product to the other with ease. Use your sponge to get flawless coverage from your skin correctors, they have the ability to cover even the most stubborn areas. When used damp you can lay down a smooth liquid or cream foundation using a dabbing technique that leaves your foundation looking flawless and if you don’t own a concealer brush you can use your makeup sponge to apply a thin coat of concealer under your eyes to brighten and conceal those dark circles.

Our Favorite: Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

The Foundation Brush

What it is: This flat ended brush with firm tight bristles was created specifically for applying your liquid or cream foundation and when used right it can give you a flawless finish that appears as if you’ve had your foundation applied by a professional airbrush makeup artist.

How it Works: Pat your liquid or cream foundation to your face with your fingertips then with light pressure sweep your foundation brush across your face using upward and outward strokes towards your hairline. Use the brush to bring your foundation down on to your neck and even to your decollate if necessary. This light sweeping technique will leave your face streak free and give you a blended and luminous finish.

Our Favorite: Simply Essentials Flat Kabuki

The Concealer Brush

What it is: This round topped flat brush is usually made from synthetic fiber bristles that can make applying your concealer easy and allows you to reach into those small delicate areas around the eyes.

How it Works: Apply your concealer under the eye area where you want to brighten and conceal dark spots or dark areas, using the flat side of your concealer brush blend your concealer using outward strokes toward your hairline. Make sure to feather out the edges and use your makeup sponge to finish the look giving you a nice glow that brightens your face making you look radiant and ethereal.

Our Favorite: Sigma Beauty F70, Concealer

The Powder Brush

What it is: This large soft fluffy brush with natural hair bristles is used to apply mineral powder foundations, setting powders, tanning powders, and bronzing powders.

How it Works: It is used to dust on powder products using a sweeping motion, it’s rounded top allows you to give your face light coverage laying down a fine dusting of the product you are applying. You should use this brush by applying small amounts of the powder product and build up as you go to get the coverage you desire, use this brush in a sweeping motion blending until your product appears flawless.

Note: For mature women we recommend not using powder products around the eyes or lips. Powder products tend to enhance fine lines and large pores.

Our Favorite: Sigma F30C Large Powder Brush

The Blush Brush

What it is: A dome topped brush smaller in size than the powder brush, the blush brush is used exclusively for applying your blush product.

How it Works: Tap the brush into your blush product and tap the excess product off before applying to your cheeks. Apply the blush product onto the apples of your cheeks and then lightly sweep back towards your hairline. Remember do not use your blush products anywhere on the face except on your cheeks. We prefer a short handled blush brush to give you as much control as possible to get the perfect blushed cheeks.

Our Favorite: CLOTHOBEAUTY Pro Makeup Kabuki Powder Brush

The Contour Brush

What it is: This angled brush is made of natural hair bristles and is angled to make applying the products easy and specific for the area you are applying to.

How it Works: We use the contour brush for applying contour products as well as highlighter products.

Apply your contour powder directly under the cheek bone and sweep the product back toward the lower hairline just above the middle of the ear, then gently blend the contour upward to erase any lines of demarkation, this will create the illusion of a shadow under the cheekbone to enhance your cheeks and give your face a lifted appearance.

Apply your highlighter using the same brush, either one dedicated to your highlighter or clean the contour off before applying highlighter. Sweep a light dusting of highlighter above the cheek bone under the corner of the eye and just above the brow bone. For more light on the face squeeze the bristles and apply highlighter down the top of the nose then give a lift to the lips by applying a small bit on the cupids bow and on the chin.

Our Favorite: Contour Brush by Bella 

The Lip Brush

What it is: Used to apply lip liner and lip sticks this dual ended brush can give you more control as you apply your lip products and it has become a miracle brush with today’s new liquid lipsticks.

How it Works: Use the thin tipped end to apply your favorite liner color just outside the natural line of your lips then flip the brush and use the small flat brush to apply your favorite lip product staying within the line of the lip liner but slightly blending the lipstick to the lip liner. It takes practice to get your lip products applied with precision but with the right brush you can achieve fuller lips with a longer lasting effect.

Our Favorite: amoore Lip Brush Dual End Retractable (black)

This is our complied list of face brushes to learn more about how to use these brushes join us for our brush workshop to create the perfect smoky eye.

 

If you loved our list of face brushes you might like to check out the list of our favorite eye brushes.