Do you know your blush brush from your concealer brush? With an eye-popping array of different makeup brushes out there it can be hard to know where to start and which brushes will be your daily essentials. From which mineral makeup brushes are best for beginners to learning how to apply foundation with a brush, our ultimate makeup brushes guide will have you skilled-up like a pro in no time.
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The rule of thumb with makeup brushes is to start with the essentials and build from there, explains Janeena Rumsey, Glos Artistry Lead.
While there are some brushes that are multitaskers, youll want a few key brushes in your kit for precise placement of color. The scale of your makeup brush kit will also reflect the complexity of the makeup looks youre wanting to achieve too. So, if youre pretty low-key, youll only need a few brushes, but if youre looking to create more elaborate looks, thats when youll need to add more to your kit, she adds.
While its tempting to want to try every brush under the sun, when it comes to starting out, there are a few core makeup brushes everyone needs, shares Janeena. The best makeup brushes for beginners will be a powder brush, blush brushwhich can also be used for bronzers, foundation brush, flat eyeshadow brush, and a crease eyeshadow brush on the fluffier side. Then you can build your makeup brush collection from there as needed.
Each makeup brush will have a different shape and different density of fibers, for optimal delivery of the specific makeup product to the area of the face theyre designed for.
To help you learn not only the basics, but get to know all the different types of makeup brushes, well take you through which makeup brush is used for what purposes and why you might want them in your kit. Lets dive into the various makeup brushes and their uses.
First up, one of the most common questions makeup artists get asked is; How do I choose a foundation brush? shares Janeena. The short answer is it depends on the type of foundation youre usingso liquid, cream, or powder and preferred coverage level.
Whether pressed or loose powder foundation, youll need a versatile powder foundation brush that ensures even coverage and natural effect. For this, you really cant go wrong with our 105 Flat-top Kabuki or 101 Pro Kabuki Brush. Their dense fibers make it ideal for blending medium to full coverage powder foundation, creating a soft-focus finish, plus theyre also super effective for all-over blending too.
If youre looking for a more sheer coverage from your pressed powder foundation like our bestselling Pressed Base, you can also try the 104 Dual Fiber Face Brush. Its less dense than the Kabuki brushes, so offers a more gentle coverage which is buildable depending on what look you want to create.
Because of their consistency, liquid foundations are best applied with a brush that will give you plenty of blending and stippling abilities to ensure a smooth application and the depth of coverage you want. We love the 105 Flat-top Kabuki Brush and 108 Angled Complexion Brush for this as they offer easy blending and a smooth medium to full coverage effect. They work perfectly with Luminous Liquid Foundation SPF 18 too.
As the texture of a cream foundation is a little more malleable than liquid or powder, many people prefer to apply this with their fingers or a Makeup Blender Sponge, adds Janeena. But for effortless, mess-free blending, you really cant go wrong with the 109 Dual Foundation/Camouflage Brush or the 108 Angled Complexion Brush. They actually work well for most types of foundation, but theyre great for cream foundation as the dense fibers at the base of the brush mimic the feel and pressure of your fingers.
For a more sheer finish cream foundation effect, use a damp Makeup Blender Sponge to apply.
If youre a fan of using your fingers or a sponge, dont be intimidated by using a brush to apply your foundation, shares Janeena. If youre wondering how to apply a liquid foundation with a brushor a cream or powder, similar rules apply. Your goal is to create a seamlessly natural, airbrushed effect.
For liquid foundation, pump a small amount on the back of your hand, then dab onto the key areas of your face using your foundation brush. Use your brush to then even out the foundation, sweeping or stippling in small circular motions. Touch-up or add more if needed to create an even glowing effect. You can always finish with a Makeup Blender Sponge for extra precision or to smooth things out further.
With cream foundation, dab the cream onto your face starting from the center outwards. Using your cream foundation makeup brush, stipple and pat in the foundation to ensure even coverage.
For powder foundation, swirl your brush into your powder, tap off any excess, then sweep and blend across your face evenly. If youre prone to shine in your T-zone, add extra coverage on your nose or forehead.
Fingers may be the preferred application tool for many of us on-the-go, but actually the oils from our fingers can be detrimental to the concealers staying power, shares Janeena. Its a great idea to add a concealer brush to your kit, as it allows you to apply your concealer or camouflage in a more precise way, to areas your fingers may find awkward to blendthink corners of the eyes and nose.
We love 109 Dual Foundation/Camouflage Brush for its multitasking value. You get easy concealer precision at one end, and a bigger foundation brush at the other, so its a win-win for your complexion and your wallet. Also, 304 Dual Fiber Eye Brush is one of my personal favorites for lightweight blending on delicate areas such as under eyes.
Depending on what type of powder youre using, a powder brush is a useful brush to have on hand. For setting powder, a soft, fluffy brush will be a game-changer as it helps to apply a gentle amount of powder for a more sheer finish. For this, try 103 Tapered Setting Powder Brushand you can use it for your loose foundation powder too.
The best blush brush will be dome shaped with long, soft fibers that easily allow for a wash of color to be applied on the apples of your cheeks or along the cheekbones. You can then layer up to blend and build your perfect color intensity. Try 202 Powder Blush Brush. You can also use it for powder bronzers and highlighters too.
Whether you want to create a subtle or more statement sculpting contoured effect, choosing a contour brush thats designed for this very purpose is essential in ensuring ease of application and easy blending. The brush size and shape should fit neatly under your cheekbone. A true multitasker, for contouring, we love the 107 Contour/Highlighter Brush with its two brush optionsthe soft round end to apply, blend, and diffuse, while the tapered brush offers definition and precision.
When it comes to eye makeup brushes, this is where things can get a little more precise, with many brushes serving very specific purposes. To keep things simple, if youre just looking to add buildable color, blend, and do some crease shading, the 303 Detail Blender Brush, 304 Dual Fiber Eye Brush, 305 Crease Shader Brush will be your go-tos.
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For more definition, for smokey eye effects and beyond, you may want to expand your eye makeup brush repertoire. This is where smaller and more detailed brushes come into play used to line, soften and smudge.
If youre unsure what eye brushes you need, weve got all the eyeshadow application tips and tricks in our handy guide. This will help you decide the look you want to try and the brushes youll need.
For sculpting, filling, and defining your eyebrows, an eyebrow brush will be a helpful brush to have in your kit. Try using a spoolie brush if you want to fluff and groom your brows, then fill with color using an angled bristle brush like our 309 Dual Brow/Liner Brush. The large brush end can be used for all-over brows, while the smaller brush creates more definition and detailing.
A lot of people prefer to apply their lip color straight from the bullet or crayon itself, but using a lip brush can be really helpful in creating unparalleled precision, shares Janeena. The tiny yet impactful lip brush gives an accuracy thats hard to achieve from the product itself, plus its extra useful when youre running low on your favorite lip color too.
Quality really matters when it comes to your makeup brushes. That said, this doesnt necessarily mean they should be super expensive. A good quality makeup brush will ensure easy application and blending of makeup formulas, create a natural look, and be long lasting. Look for design details and what the makeup brushes are made from to guide your decision making.
A great place to start is to check whether the makeup brushes are designed by makeup artists. All of Glos brushes have been expertly created by makeup artists for both professional and personal use. Thats always a green flag as you know the quality will be pro-level and the design is meticulously crafted.
Another detail to look for when choosing a makeup brush is that it has a sturdy ferrule (the metal part) as this will hold the bristles firmly in place and reduce shedding or splaying of bristles.
Cruelty-free brushes are always a plus, advises Janeena. Vegan brush fiber is so superior these days and such great option, as natural animal hair can at times irritate sensitive skin. All of Glos brushes use pro-level, vegan, synthetic fibers which are cruelty-free and super easy to clean and maintain for years.
Once youve got your best makeup brush lineup, the key to maintaining that brush quality and integrity, as well as ensuring your skin remains clean and clear from breakouts, is all down to how you clean them. Discover our guide on how to clean your makeup brushes and how often for everything you need to know.
We all love to invest in our favourite makeup products, from the best BB Creams and bronzers to our formidable foundations and mascaras, but what about the tools of the trade? Makeup brushes are an essential for any makeup routine. After all how are you supposed to apply your mineral powder foundation, or that much loved bronzer? Let alone your eyeshadow and blush. Thats right, from foundation to concealer, eyeshadow, cheeks and lips, there is a makeup brush for literally every makeup category, but how are you supposed to know which makeup brushes to use to nail that flawless makeup finish?
Keep reading as we reveal 5 tips to help you choose the right makeup brushes for you:
Different makeup products be it for example foundation or blusher require different makeup brushes. And the shape of the brush will determine the area of the face it is best suited for.
For example a large flat brush is best for applying liquid foundation, a large fluffy brush is perfect for powder foundation while a tapered (a brush that reduces in size and thickness towards the end) brush is best for precise application on smaller areas like under your eyes.
Investing in high-quality makeup brushes will make all the difference in the application and longevity of your makeup. The bristles should be soft and durable, should not irritate the skin in any way, nor should they shed or lose their shape over time. Synthetic bristles are usually the best option because they are durable, easy to clean and hygienic. Synthetic brush bristles are usually made of nylon or polyester, however ELES Cosmetics range of professional makeup brushes are made from taklon, a green and allergy free synthetic fibre. Their smooth synthetic fibres do not absorb or trap pigment making it easy to keep clean. Makeup brushes with natural bristles are another option, however they are made with animal hair to provide a very soft finish.
A comfortable handle is important to ensure steady and precise makeup application. Look for brushes with sturdy and easy to grip handles.
There are a wide range of makeup brushes available in the market with varying price ranges. Decide on your budget and invest in good quality brushes as these will last you a long time.
Your makeup tools are meant to be washed. Besides bacteria, brushes also accumulate dead skin cells and oil which can clog your pores leading to skin irritation and pesky pimples! Also if you apply your makeup with a dirty bush the end result can be a streaky and patchy complexion! Clean brushes definitely make for a smoother makeup application!
You should clean your makeup brushes once a month by swishing them in a cup of warm water with a little shampoo. Rinse the brushes and lie them flat on a towel on the counter until they dry.
Still confused? Here are some of the most commonly used makeup brushes for the different makeup categories;
By following all these tips, you can choose the right makeup brushes that will help you achieve flawless makeup every time.
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