Applying makeup should be fun. The process can be learned and enhanced always but the tools of the trade are such an important piece. Makeup brushes are essential to achieving that winged eyeliner or that graphic eye. They can be the difference between too much or just right. Here is my breakdown of MAKEUP BRUSH BASICS to help you feel inspired for your next makeup look!
Cruelty free or Natural Hair makeup brushes are very sustainable for the planet. They are made from animal hairs that mimic real hair like pony, goat, sable or squirrel hair. Don’t worry, there are special brushing farms for this to be possible. No animals are harmed. These type of brushes are best with powder products because they hold onto powder better. Think softer bristles hold less pigment and give a smoother look while firmer brushes made out of Goat hair can push product into face with a more opaque feel. Goat and sable brushes can be used wet as well. Some feel that natural makeup brushes spread products more efficiently and are easier to use.
Synthetic brushes are technically becoming better at mimicking natural hair. These may not be as good for the environment due to the fact that parts are not bio degradable. Use these brushes with wet or creamy products and for spreading and blending. Special effects artists use synthetic brushes regularly because of the glues and ingredients used to do their magic. Natural hair brushes would be too delicate.
If a brush bounces back to shape when wet…YOU want this!
Length of Hair Bristles…
Short=more pigment and the more control you have .
Longer=a softer pigment payoff and a sheerer wear of color For eg. a stippling brush which has duo fibers (short and long) this helps in the application of tinted moisturizers, cream blushes and liquid highlighters without messing with products underneath.
Shape…
Square or Straight=when you want to make a straight line or more a defined edge.
Chisel Cut…tapered or round shape is good for blending out colors on the face.
Kabuki Brushes which are round and dense are great for fuller coverage applications for face and body.
Foundation Brush…this brush looks like a paint brush of sorts with a rounded tip but flat and dense. You paint on your foundation so to speak to avoid harsh lines or edges.
Concealer Brushes…a brush that is a smaller version a foundation brush. Ideal for zoning in on smaller areas to cover blemishes or to help with the under eye are.
Powder Brushes…depending on the area you would like covered, these brushes come in varying sizes. They are usually dense, large or fluffy. Use these to set your foundation with loose setting powders.
Bronzer Brushes...this brush has long and fluffy bristles and a dome shape top to evenly apply powder pigments. The fluffier it is, the less product deposited.
Contour Brushes…this brush has a slanted tip with which makes it easier to blend your contour along your cheekbones, jawline, and forehead.
Highlighter Brush…a brush that is usually long and tapered with long bristles for a more diffused finish.
The Fan Brush…bristles on this brush are fanned out and flat and give it a very obvious look and feel. Use this to gently get rid of any powder residue, to apply highlighter or use a smaller version to apply mascara.
Eyeshadow Brushes…these come in all different shapes and sizes. More dense bristled brushes are for more opaque shadow applications and looser bristles will have a softer effect. These brushes can be flat with a rounded tip, can be slanted at the tip to get into your crease, can be domed shaped and fluffy to act as a blender for your transition colors. Pencil brushes and smudging brushes are also apart of this group and can be used for precise application or to smudge out a color or liner. These are all multi-taskers!!
Lip brushes can be similar to Concealer Brushes. Then there are angled straight edged brushes that can be used to apply a winged liner or used to fill in brows. The bristles are dense and usually stiff.
This gives a brief overview of what kinds of brushes there are and what they are made to do! But with that being said, makeup artists are known to use brushes in different ways than what their main task is…but for our everyday usage, this guide helps you get comfortable with learning the basics on makeup brushes!
It’s important to note that cleaning these brushes are of the utmost importance! Use a good disinfecting solution to clean your brushes so no bacteria builds up and ends up on your face! I suggest you do this at least once a week! Real Techniques is a good option for makeup brushes and using Cinema Secrets brush cleaner is a great disinfectant for brushes!