We know that make-up brushes can seem a little intimidating or confusing, especially if you’ve ever glimpsed a make-up artist’s kit boasting hundreds that all seem to look the same. They can be on the pricey side – so it’s difficult to differentiate the ones you need from the ones you can pass over. Here’s everything you need to know, including brush shapes, bristles and how to look after them:
I’m a big believer in quality make-up brushes. They have the ability to make cheap make-up look expensive, while those of a lesser quality can ruin your most-prized, luxurious product – it’s all in the application. Better brushes are properly weighted, ensuring you have more control and the flat-edged bristled ones that come with the product make blending impossible. If you look after them properly, they’ll last for years, so if you’re going to invest I recommend starting with the basics.
THE MAGIC SIX
- Powder Brush: Look for thick, bushy, dome-shaped bristles to apply face powder and bronzer. Ideally, this needs to be formed of natural bristles. Note: it’s a general rule of thumb that natural bristles are to be used with powder products and synthetic bristles are to be used with cream or liquid products. I like the MAC 129 as it’s slightly smaller than the average powder brush, so I feel I have more control where I apply product – and I have a tiny face!
- Blusher Brush: Say no to unflattering ’80s-style striped cheeks that cheap square brushes can give and choose one with a rounded edge. Use to apply to the apples of the cheeks and blend out. The Laura Mercier Travel Cheek Colour Brush is a favourite, its natural bristles are so soft, it picks up just the right about of product and it has a protective cap so it won’t discolour or dirty your travel make-up bag.
- Eyeshadow Brush: You want a small flat or slightly dome-shaped brush to pack on colour to the eyelid – I favour a synthetic brush for this as it can apply both cream and powder shadow. It’s also worth thinking about getting a blending brush too and the MAC 217 is a cult classic for good reason. The brushes in the Real Techniques Starter Set are great at covering all your eye brush needs – it’s reasonably priced and really well made.
- Eyeliner Brush: These can come in two forms – a brush with short, stubby bristles designed to apply, blend or smoke out pencils and eyeshadow along the lash-line, like the tapered one on this double-sided theBalm cosmetics Eye Believe brush; or a long, very thin brush for applying gel eyeliner – like Laura Mercier’s Angled Eye Liner Brush, which is conveniently-shaped so you can get right into the inner corner of your eye.
- Foundation Brush: Although I often apply foundation with fingers, if I’m after a more natural, dewy look I find that using a brush gives a more flawless finish. I love a flat, dense-style Buffing Brush to really work the product into the skin.
Keep ‘Em Clean
As much as I love my brushes – and the joy I get from creating different looks with them – cleaning them is one of make-up’s few downsides. It’s a faff, but so essential, as unwashed brushes can collect bacteria over time – you don’t want to be running that over your face every day. I use a really gentle baby shampoo or the beautyblender® Cleanser to clean them with warm water, roughly every four weeks. While wet, reshape the brush, before lying it flat on a clean towel to dry.
Let me know your must-have make-up brushes and why in the comments below!
– Grace