Did You Use the Right Makeup Brush?
If you ask us, one of the keys to achieving a gorgeous makeup look is the beauty tools you use to create it. Sure, finding makeup items that work for your needs and preferences is important, but the sponges and makeup brushes you use can make all the difference. With that said, there are tons of makeup brushes on the market — and many of them look so similar that it’s difficult to tell which one does what. So ahead, we’re sharing what you need to know about the different face makeup brushes, as well as how to care for them so they last.
Do Face Makeup Brushes Really Make a Difference?
Having an appropriate makeup brush for the steps in your makeup routine can make a huge difference in the outcome of your look. Using the correct kind of brush, whether it’s a tapered foundation blush or a flat concealer brush, can change how your makeup applies and help give you a smooth finish.
Another thing to note before picking up your tool is if it’s a natural or synthetic makeup brush. Natural hair makeup brushes are often made from animal hair and are known for their blending and pick-up properties, whereas synthetic makeup brushes are made of man-made materials like nylon and are great for precise and streak-free application.
What Do You Use Each Makeup Brush For?
Just like makeup products themselves, makeup brushes can be used in multiple ways. While one might be labeled as a blush brush, you might prefer it for contouring and that’s okay — don’t hesitate to experiment. However, if you’re curious about the main types of brushes for face makeup, there are several.
Foundation brushes tend to be flat or rounded and densely packed so that they can buff and blend product into your skin smoothly.
Concealer brushes are similar to foundation brushes, they’re just smaller so that they can get into hard-to-reach areas. They come in flat shapes as well as rounded shapes to buff and blend.
Big, round, fluffy brushes are typically used to apply powder when setting the face. They’re not too densely packed so that they don’t add excess product to the skin.
Blush brushes often look like small powder brushes — they’re usually round or slightly angled. They’re fluffy and loosely packed so they don’t deposit too much color at once.
Bronzer brushes are typically in between blush brushes and powder brushes in terms of size. They’re usually fluffy and either round or oval in shape to cover a large surface area.
Contouring brushes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but you’ll commonly find them in small round or oval shapes with densely packed bristles in order to place and blend product with precision.
Like contouring brushes, highlighter brushes come in different shapes and sizes. They’re often fan brushes, which are thin brushes that apply powders lightly, or cone-shaped, fluffy brushes which are great for delicately applying highlighter to the cheekbones.
Flat shader brush is used for eyeshadow shades application as it picks up the product well. It helps you to apply shadows evenly across your eyelid. It’s a must-have if you love to experiment with dramatic smokey eyed looks. Larger shader brushes helps you cover more area in no time.
Blending brush is used to blend eyeshadow for a smooth transition between colors and to create a cohesive look. Whether you like a soft wash of color or a bright detailed look, blending is the most important step to every eye look.
Brow brush is an umbrella term used to describe several different types of brushes and combs related to brow maintenance. This term is also applied to a specific combination tool, the mascara brush, that is used to comb through the brow.
Lip brush is a makeup application tool that is usually a long, thin pencil-like wand with soft bristles at the end that typically form a tapered point. It is used to apply a lipstick or a lip gloss evenly on to the lips. In most cases of lip product application however the use of lip brushes is often neglected!
