Magic Wands - Your Top 10 Make Up Brushes

by Inna Grinblat of Glamorized Skin

As a follow up to our step-by-step guide to a natural look, I would like to discuss different types of make up brushes and what they are used for. There are many different brushes out there, some of which you will never need to use. However, there are also brushes that you should have in your kit at home for every day use.

CONCEALER BRUSH - YOUR FINGER EXTENSION

This is a small, flat, tapered brush with synthetic bristles. Synthetic bristles are better than natural hairs because they absorb less of the product and allow an easier application whether you want your coverage sheer or heavy. The best way to use this brush is by tapping it gently at an angle around the blemish you are covering up and thinning the product out as you move away from the blemish. The brush shown on the picture above is Studio Basics Concealer Brush or you can use Sonia Kashuk Concealer Brush.

FOUNDATION BRUSH - A NEATER WAY TO APPLY FOUNDATION

This is a larger version of the concealer brush. It also has synthetic bristles and is flat and tapered. Again, synthetic is a better material for this type of brush because you are working with a liquid/cream product, which absorbs easily and this type of material prevents the absorption. To use this brush, apply a small amount of the product to one of its sides and spread it all over your face. Try to move it in different directions in order to erase any smears and streaks that may be showing. The brush shown in the picture above is MAC Foundation Brush 190.

POWDER BRUSH - A LARGE BRUSH FOR EASY SWEEPING

This is a large, natural material, round brush. The size of the brush correlates directly with the amount of powder you can apply to your face. Therefore, this brush should be large enough to aid you in setting your foundation to a more natural look. To use this brush dab it in the powder (loose or compact) and move in circular motions around your face. This brush can be also used to apply powder foundation. I like using a brush rather than a sponge applicator because it leaves a very sheer and even layer of powder that gives the desired effect without leaving visible traces of powder lines on your face. The brush shown in the picture above is Revlon Powder Brush.

BLUSH BRUSH - EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED TO GET SNOW WHITE'S CHEEKS

This brush is smaller than powder brush, but should also be made out of natural material and should be round. The size of this brush is also directly related to the amount of the product is deposited on to your skin. A very large blush brush does not allow you to control the shape and size of the blush area, while brush that is too small may deposit more product on to your skin than desired. The best way to use this brush is by holding it at an angle with the end of the brush pointing towards your ear. Start the application closer to your ear gradually bringing it towards the center of your face. Always make sure you are applying the blush directly where you cheek bones are and blend it well. The brush shown in the picture above is Cinema Secrets Blush Brush.

CONTOUR BRUSH - THE KEY TO BRONZER SOPHISTICATION

This brush should be similar in size and material to the powder brush but it should be slanted at the end. This brush is best used at contouring your cheekbones and jaw. Always make sure to choose a bronzer powder that does not have shimmer to make the contouring as natural looking as possible. The brush shown in the picture above is Sonia Kashuk Contour Brush.

EYESHADOW BRUSHES - YOUR AID TO THE

EYES THAT SPARKLE

There are different types of eyeshadow brushes out there but the main characteristic they all possess is: natural hair bristles. These brushes can be round, angled, blunt, pointy, and tapered. Things to remember: use a round, larger brush for applying a base or an all over lid eyeshadow, use a smaller, tapered brush to apply eyeshadow at the crease, and use a small, pointy one to apply eyeliner with an eyeshadow or to smudge the existing line you drew with a pencil. Starting from top to bottom the picture above shows these brushes: Sephora Professional Brush, BareMinerals Angled Eyeshadow Brush, Estee Lauder Blunt Eyeshadow Brush, and Lancome Eyeshadow Brush.

EYELINER BRUSH - THE IMPOSSIBLY THIN LINE SOLUTION

This should be a very thin, pointy brush with natural hair. Do not forget you will be drawing a very precise line with this brush. You can use eyeshadow, liquid, or cream products to create your line. Hold this brush at an angle and try to draw the whole line with one stroke. The brush shown in the picture above is Cinema Secrets Eyeliner.

ANGLED BRUSH - THE SECRET OF YOUR PERFECT EYEBROWS

This brush is thin, angled and with natural hair. It can be used to define your eyebrows, to smudge your liner, or create a line with an eyeshadow. When defining eyebrows remember that less is more. Always start with a little and then increase the intensity as needed. Here is a good example of how it is done: The Ultimate Brow - Part II. The brush shown in the picture above is MAC Angled Brush 263.

FAN BRUSH - JANE AUSTEN HAD A HAND FAN, HERE IS YOURS

This is an interesting looking brush and many people do not know its purpose. This is a fanned out brush, which looks like a fan and is made out of natural bristles. It should be used to apply a highlighter to your cheekbones and forehead and chin. It can also be used to apply a thick layer of loose powder under your eyes when creating a smoky look. When you are done applying dark eye shadow, you simply sweep off the loose powder and voila - no traces of dark particles left behind. Finally, this brush brushes away everything that falls down from your eyes to the under eye area while you are applying your make up. It’s one very useful brush! The brush shown in the picture above is ART NET Professional Paris 27 Fan Brush.

LIP BRUSH - A BRUSH FOR PERFECT RED LIPS

This is a thin, pointy or squared brush made out of either natural or synthetic bristles. It should not be as small as the eyeliner brush but still smaller than eyeshadow brushes. You can use this brush to apply either lipgloss or lipstick and blend them with the lip liner. It allows you to have more control in order to create more defined lines. The brush shown above is Cinema Secrets Lip Brush.

Above I have described most of the brushes you will meet out there. Of course you will see others. However, these definitions should help you identify which brushes you may need for your every day and evening routines. Please post your questions and comments and I will be glad to answer them all.