A good brush makes all the difference in the application of your makeup. There are so many different types of brushes and each type has a specific function. I have slowly built up my brush collection and even though I have about 15 brushes, there are only about 5 that I really can't live without. So if you only want to invest in a few or are just starting out, here are my recommendations:
1. Shader Brush - this is a flat, stiff brush used for applying eyeshadow to your eyelid. It can also be used to apply cream base products to the lid (such as MAC's paints pots). If you buy a good quality shader brush, it should do an excellent job of depositing color on your lid. I have used MAC's 242 for several years and love it. I know MAC's 239 is another excellent choice. Trick: when applying shadow with your shader brush, do not swipe the color on. Pack it on by gently patting it onto the lid. This will deposit way more product and create less fallout under your eye!
2. Blending Brush - this is a densely packed, semi-stiff brush that is used for blending. This brush is best for blending color into the crease and outer corner of your eye. It can also be used to apply a wash of color from lid to brow. This is the brush where you do want to use swiping motions. I use MAC's 217
3. Angle Brush - this brush has a very thin, precise angled tip. This brush can be used with eye shadow to line your eyes in place of eyeliner. In fact, I rarely line the bottom of my eyes with liner anymore because shadow provides a much more subtle effect. This brush can also be used to apply gel liner and to fill your brows.
4. Buffer Brush (also called a "Kabuki" Brush) - this is a very full and dense dome-shaped brush. A good quality one is usually made out of goat hair. This brush is used to apply face powder and can be used in place of a powder brush. I like the buffer brush better because it picks up a little less product. I find that powder brushes tend to make your face look "cakey". I don't find this with a buffer brush. This brush can also be used to buffer out contour color so it's multi-purpose. I currently use a buffer brush from Coastal Scents and the quality is excellent.
5. Blush Brush - this is a soft, full rounded brush used for applying brush to the apples of your cheeks. For many years, I used one brush to apply both powder and blush. I really recommend against this because you don't want to be mixing the different pigments together.
Brushes I can live without...
1. Foundation Brush - I own MAC's 190 brush, but I prefer to apply my foundation with my fingers. I find that the brush leaves a bit of a streaky finish and I end up going back in with my fingers to make the application smoother anyway...
2. Concealer Brush - a long time ago, a MAC makeup artist convinced me to buy a concealer brush and I never use it. I find it deposits too much product and doesn't blend nicely. Once again, I prefer to apply my concealer with my ring-finger....I swear our hands are the best makeup tools and they're FREE!!!
I hope these posts helped out those who don't know where to start when it comes to makeup brushes. If you are interested in purchasing some good quality brushes, check out Coastal Scents or Sigma Makeup - they have fantastic brushes at affordable prices. If you have the money to spend, go ahead and splurge on MAC brushes because they are worth every penny!!
3. Angle Brush - this brush has a very thin, precise angled tip. This brush can be used with eye shadow to line your eyes in place of eyeliner. In fact, I rarely line the bottom of my eyes with liner anymore because shadow provides a much more subtle effect. This brush can also be used to apply gel liner and to fill your brows.
4. Buffer Brush (also called a "Kabuki" Brush) - this is a very full and dense dome-shaped brush. A good quality one is usually made out of goat hair. This brush is used to apply face powder and can be used in place of a powder brush. I like the buffer brush better because it picks up a little less product. I find that powder brushes tend to make your face look "cakey". I don't find this with a buffer brush. This brush can also be used to buffer out contour color so it's multi-purpose. I currently use a buffer brush from Coastal Scents and the quality is excellent.
5. Blush Brush - this is a soft, full rounded brush used for applying brush to the apples of your cheeks. For many years, I used one brush to apply both powder and blush. I really recommend against this because you don't want to be mixing the different pigments together.
Brushes I can live without...
1. Foundation Brush - I own MAC's 190 brush, but I prefer to apply my foundation with my fingers. I find that the brush leaves a bit of a streaky finish and I end up going back in with my fingers to make the application smoother anyway...
2. Concealer Brush - a long time ago, a MAC makeup artist convinced me to buy a concealer brush and I never use it. I find it deposits too much product and doesn't blend nicely. Once again, I prefer to apply my concealer with my ring-finger....I swear our hands are the best makeup tools and they're FREE!!!
I hope these posts helped out those who don't know where to start when it comes to makeup brushes. If you are interested in purchasing some good quality brushes, check out Coastal Scents or Sigma Makeup - they have fantastic brushes at affordable prices. If you have the money to spend, go ahead and splurge on MAC brushes because they are worth every penny!!
1 comment:
Sharah . . . excellent advice as usual! Always look forward to the latest blog!
Post a Comment