When I first started really getting into makeup, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with the vast amount of makeup brushes out there. My head was swimming in the whats, whys and hows of makeup brushes, but it really need not be so confusing. It’s actually a lot easier than you think! Unless you’re going for very specific looks, all you really need are 5 brushes at most. So, what are they?
Eyes
- Angled Eyeliner: This is honestly one of the most important part of any one’s beauty arsenal. Angled eyeliners serve two purposes: 1)to fill in the brows, and 2)to line the eyes.
Nice, polished eyebrows really do frame the face and, in fact, can make you look “made up” even without anything else. I also like to use this to create for cat/winged eyes. As far as what to get, angled liners-wise, I don’t think that there is any huge difference between cheap and high-end brands. However, make sure that the bristles are sturdy and are stiff enough to create solid lines. Nothing is worse than angled liners that bend too much when you apply products on. This is especially true for eyebrows as it results in uneven application. It will also take you forever to finish!
I recommend: ($)EcoTooLs’ Angled Eyeliner Brush (The bristles are great. Also, all EcoTools products are cruelty free, eco-friendly, and budget-friendly), ($$) Quo’s Liner/Brow Brush (Fairly cheap, but certainly delivers! I believe that this brand is only available in Canada),($$$) MAC’s 208 Angled Brow Bush (Tons more expensive than EcoTools, but you know that you’re paying for quality product that will last you years!) - Shading/Shadow Brush: If you wear shadow on your lids, then you already know that this is a must! In choosing shadow/shading brush, make sure that the bristles are nice, dense, and super soft in order to avoid irritating the sensitive skin around on your eyelids. I like mine a little fluffy so I can choose to build up the coverage and not overload my lids with eyeshadow.
I recommend: ($$)Quo’s Shading Brush, ($$$)MAC’s 217 Blending Brush (I love this brush, seriously! I use this to apply my shadow base, dark shadow on my crease for the smokey-eye look, and blend! Well worth the money, indeed.) - Crease Brush: This is definitely not a part of my everyday routine, BUT it’s essential for those nights out in town when I want to go for a much more dramatic look. Used primarily on the outer crease of the eye, this brush is also essential for blending out eye shadows in order to avoid harsh edges. Tip: you can also use the tips of this brush to apply highlighting shadows underneath the brows!
I recommend: ($$) Sephora Brand Professionnel Rounded Crease Brush #13 (Great stuff! This brush is not too full for my asian crease and is just so soft. I use this everytime I do the smoky-eye look), ($$$) MAC’s 217 Blending Brush (AGAIN!), and ($$$$) Make Up For Ever’s 15S Eye Shadow Brush (Also a versatile brush. I use this for smudging eyeshadow, contouring my crease, and highlighting the area near my tear ducts)
Face
- Blush Brush: Definitely a MUST in anyone’s makeup bag. Blush livens up dull and tired skin. It gives you that healthy glow even when on days when you don’t feel so hot. Your blush brush should have a full, rounded dome and its bristles should be dense and really soft. If it’s scratchy, toss it and invest on a really good blush brush. You can either go for synthetic bristles (usually taklon fibres) or natural ones. Just make sure that it fits your cheeks just right, meaning it’s not too big that you end up applying blush all over the sides of your face.
I recommend: ($)EcoTools’ Blush Brush (Seriously one of the best brands for starters and experts alike. Quality is outstanding and bristles are the softest I’ve found), ($$$) MAC’s 129 Blush/Powder Brush (Blush AND powder? Soft bristles, full dome, applies products evenly — great product all around), ($$$) MAC’s 188 Small Duo-Fibre Brush (Another great, versatile product from MAC. This can be used for powder, blush, and liquid foundation for that airbrushed look. I use this mostly for my Blushcreme since it applies very little at a time so I can build up the colour) - Powder Blush: Honestly, you can just subsitute your blush brush for this. But, it’s better to have two so that you don’t confuse yourself. You wouldn’t want to walk out there with pink blush all over your face, would you?
I recommend: ($) EcoTools’ Powder Brush, ($$$$) MAC’s 150 Large Powder Brush
