Makeup Brush Basics: The Kind of Brushes an Average Makeup Wearer Should Have
Makeup artists have hundreds of brushes in their collections. They work with countless clients, creating a number of different looks-of course they need a variety of brushes that carry out a variety of different tasks. The average makeup wearer, on the other hand, doesn't usually require such versatility from their brushes.
Whether you're looking to complete your makeup collection on a budget, or you're a teen just starting out, or in some other makeup boat, there really are a handful of makeup brushes that can make a world of difference in seamlessly applying makeup. Here's a guide to help you decide which makeup brushes might be right for you, and consequently, which brushes might just be a waste of money.
There are obviously exceptions, and everyone is different, but here are my basic makeup brush recommendations to anyone seriously considering wearing makeup. If your budget allows, and you're interested, you can obviously find use out of a few other makeup brushes as well.
Makeup Brushes Must-Have #1: Foundation Brush (or Sponge)
If you wear powder foundation, your purchase probably came with a fairly decent foundation brush. Some people still buy a separate brush to further enable blending foundation in, but that's entirely up to you. If you're doing fine already, there's no need to buy a second brush.
For me, the brush that came with my L'Oreal Mineral Veil is short and wide, which doesn't always let me spread and blend my foundation powder as well as I would like to. Hence, having a longer and narrower foundation brush makes applying my foundation easier and the results much more appealing.
I also have liquid foundations that I use. Some people do still use brushes for applying liquid foundations, but I prefer using either my fingers or a sponge. Your preferences will dictate if purchasing a foundation brush will be helpful to you or not.
Makeup Brushes Must-Have #2: Blush Brush
For applying powder blushes, I don't think there is a good alternative to using an actual blush brush, which--most of the time--has to be purchased separately from the blush itself. Most basic blushes either come with no brush or with a small rectangular one. Using a small, uniformly-bristled brush isn't a great option for conservatively using product and blending it in well to your face.
For the best visual results without wasting your blush, I think it's worth it to invest in a good blush brush. You don't have to pay an arm and a leg for one-drugstore quality works fine for me. But, I'd recommend purchasing a real blush brush. It's shaped almost like an old-fashioned fan that an elegant woman would use when courting. With fanned out bristles, a blush brush is wide when looking at its front and is narrow when looking at its side, perfect for applying powder blush onto the apples of your cheeks.
Makeup Brushes Must-Have #3: Eye Shadow Brush
Serious palettes may not come with them, but most basic eye shadow quads and pans come with eye shadow applicators. For simple, one-color looks, these applicators might work fine for you. But when you get in to using different eye shadows to accent your crease, and to highlight your brow bone, you'll probably find it helpful to have one, or a few, eye shadow brushes.
With a brush, you'll be able to add a little color here and there and blend it well, giving you the option for more creativity and a better overall look. I have one eye shadow brush, and simply clean it between applications of different eye shadow colors as necessary, but purchasing a few brushes might be what's best for you.
Makeup Brushes Must-Have #4: Bronzer Brush
If you wear bronzer, I highly recommend buying a makeup brush to be used strictly for applying bronzer. It's easy to think you can share a foundation brush, or even a blush brush, with your bronze powder-but I don't think you'll like the results. Bronzer, as well as other powdered makeup, has a knack for staying on a brush.
I could use my blush brush to apply bronzer and the results would be fine. But without a deep clean in between, if I go back to my blush with bronzer on my brush, I'm going to hate the results. You might have a different experience, but unless you're willing to continually deep clean a shared brush, I'd say just get a brush to use for applying a bronzer. It doesn't have to cost a lot, and it might make your life that much easier.
Whether you're looking to complete your makeup collection on a budget, or you're a teen just starting out, or in some other makeup boat, there really are a handful of makeup brushes that can make a world of difference in seamlessly applying makeup. Here's a guide to help you decide which makeup brushes might be right for you, and consequently, which brushes might just be a waste of money.
There are obviously exceptions, and everyone is different, but here are my basic makeup brush recommendations to anyone seriously considering wearing makeup. If your budget allows, and you're interested, you can obviously find use out of a few other makeup brushes as well.
Makeup Brushes Must-Have #1: Foundation Brush (or Sponge)
If you wear powder foundation, your purchase probably came with a fairly decent foundation brush. Some people still buy a separate brush to further enable blending foundation in, but that's entirely up to you. If you're doing fine already, there's no need to buy a second brush.
For me, the brush that came with my L'Oreal Mineral Veil is short and wide, which doesn't always let me spread and blend my foundation powder as well as I would like to. Hence, having a longer and narrower foundation brush makes applying my foundation easier and the results much more appealing.
I also have liquid foundations that I use. Some people do still use brushes for applying liquid foundations, but I prefer using either my fingers or a sponge. Your preferences will dictate if purchasing a foundation brush will be helpful to you or not.
Makeup Brushes Must-Have #2: Blush Brush
For applying powder blushes, I don't think there is a good alternative to using an actual blush brush, which--most of the time--has to be purchased separately from the blush itself. Most basic blushes either come with no brush or with a small rectangular one. Using a small, uniformly-bristled brush isn't a great option for conservatively using product and blending it in well to your face.
For the best visual results without wasting your blush, I think it's worth it to invest in a good blush brush. You don't have to pay an arm and a leg for one-drugstore quality works fine for me. But, I'd recommend purchasing a real blush brush. It's shaped almost like an old-fashioned fan that an elegant woman would use when courting. With fanned out bristles, a blush brush is wide when looking at its front and is narrow when looking at its side, perfect for applying powder blush onto the apples of your cheeks.
Makeup Brushes Must-Have #3: Eye Shadow Brush
Serious palettes may not come with them, but most basic eye shadow quads and pans come with eye shadow applicators. For simple, one-color looks, these applicators might work fine for you. But when you get in to using different eye shadows to accent your crease, and to highlight your brow bone, you'll probably find it helpful to have one, or a few, eye shadow brushes.
With a brush, you'll be able to add a little color here and there and blend it well, giving you the option for more creativity and a better overall look. I have one eye shadow brush, and simply clean it between applications of different eye shadow colors as necessary, but purchasing a few brushes might be what's best for you.
Makeup Brushes Must-Have #4: Bronzer Brush
If you wear bronzer, I highly recommend buying a makeup brush to be used strictly for applying bronzer. It's easy to think you can share a foundation brush, or even a blush brush, with your bronze powder-but I don't think you'll like the results. Bronzer, as well as other powdered makeup, has a knack for staying on a brush.
I could use my blush brush to apply bronzer and the results would be fine. But without a deep clean in between, if I go back to my blush with bronzer on my brush, I'm going to hate the results. You might have a different experience, but unless you're willing to continually deep clean a shared brush, I'd say just get a brush to use for applying a bronzer. It doesn't have to cost a lot, and it might make your life that much easier.
