A good makeup brush goes a long way in perfecting your makeup application.
It can mean the difference between flawless skin and a face full of uneven patches. An artist uses different paintbrushes to achieve contrasting effects. The same principle applies to makeup.
A kabuki brush is great for applying and blending makeup. Its small handle gives you great hold and control for smoothing out makeup, and can easily be toted around. The dense bristles of a kabuki brush allow you to blend your makeup and make it one with your skin.
This brush is generally used to apply foundation to large surfaces, i.e. the face and body, but can also be used as a bronzer and blush brush. We are crazy about bareMinerals’ Full Coverage Kabuki brush. It is made with soft, yet firm goat hair bristles and blends like a charm.After the base of your makeup is applied, use a contouring brush to add dimension to your look. A contouring brush has flat sides for application and coverage that taper in to make the sides of the brush angled for sculpting. The contouring brush we love is Marc Jacobs’ The Face II Sculpting Foundation. This brush is made with synthetic bristles that contain antibacterial properties and allow for easy contouring to give your look the professional treatment.
A concealer brush is essential to keep around. Even if you don’t suffer from constant acne, we all know a pimple is bound to pop up every now and then. It’s just inevitable. That’s why we like to stay prepared. A concealer brush helps even out concealer without rubbing it off your problem area. bareMinerals’ Maximum Coverage Concealer brush is great. It is made with short, firm, synthetic bristles with two flat sides tapered upwards. To use, apply concealer to face and use the flat side of the concealer brush to pat your makeup in. After it is secure, gently blend it outwards into the rest of your skin.
A classic blush brush will always come in handy. Bristles on this brush are medium length, have an angular shape and are generally smooth and flexible on the face. The point of this brush is to apply blush and bronzer to the cheekbones, while blending it outwards for a natural look. Sephora Collection’s Classic Must Have Angled Blush Brush is a valuable and affordable option. It is made with natural bristles and a wooden handle that holds its quality well.
If liquid foundation is your go to makeup, or you find yourself wanting fuller coverage, look no further than Make Up For Ever’s Medium Precision Foundation Brush. This brush is made with a combination of bristles that are tapered upwards, creating a large head enabling you to apply your makeup generously. A foundation brush can be used with loose, or compact powder, creams and liquids. It blends makeup in well, which tends to be a problem for heavier makeup application. To use, pat and brush foundation into the face with the larger sides. Use the thin sides to contour around the nose, mouth and eyes—and voila, flawless skin.
Face brushes are ever so essential for natural-looking makeup application. From foundation application, to contouring and everything in between, there’s a brush for that. Choosing one that works for you can be quite a challenge, so ask a makeup counter professional for help when shopping. Oh, and don’t forget to clean your brushes regularly with a gentle shampoo.
(Feature Photo via The Makeup Addict)