The right makeup brush will be your best friend in applying cosmetics that are flawless and fuss-free. You may even have a kit full of make-up brushes, but do you know what they are and how they are used? Have you used more than one or two? The eyeshadow and blush brushes may be well known, but there are ones for every part of your face. Get ready to learn how to use makeup brushes to easily apply cosmetics. Check out the video below that demonstrates how to correctly use these wonderful tools for foundation, eye shadow, blush, lips, and contouring!
What Brush Material Should You Buy? Natural or Synthetic
The best brushes for applying powder, eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick are made of natural fibers. Because the natural fibers have uncut tips, they are better for holding powder, contouring, blending, and smudging. Use synthetic brushes for other applications.
Types of Brushes for Easy Makeup Application
Let’s go through the main types of brushes and how to use them for a flawless look.
Foundation Brush
Some professional artists use brushes to apply foundation while others use cosmetic sponge wedges. While I prefer the sponge, the foundation brush is a great tool. To use the foundation brush, tap it in an upward motion towards the hairline. As a result, the brush smooths out cream and liquid foundation to leave it streak free.
Kabuki Brush
Kabuki brushes are great for applying bronzes or powders. It is named after the Kabuki Japanese drama theater where actors wear Keshō, a very heavy makeup that emphasizes the nature of their characters. There, the kabuki brush is used to apply the white powder rice uniformly on the entire face (Wikipedia). Using swirls, sweep the bronzer or powder along the cheeks, temples, hairline, and chin.
Powder Brush
Powder brushes are used for applying loose or compact face powder and sometimes blush. They do not smudge foundation. Be sure to pat, tap, or swirl the powder into the skin, but do not smear as the make-up will be disturbed.
Angled Blush Brush
To use an angled blush brush, swirl the bristles and sweep the brush along with the cheekbones and not the apples of the cheek to help slim and contour the face. The slanted bristles make the application much easier. The angled blush brush can be used when a contour brush is not available.
Contour Brush
The contour brush is specially designed to chisel, define and sculpt the face. It is great for cream-to-powder or powder makeup. Use the powder brush to apply highlighter to the face in combination with contouring.
Concealer Brush
The concealer brush is my favorite. It is used to apply concealer beneath the eyes to highlight the area and mask dark circles. However, the concealer brush is now frequently used to apply concealer underneath and above the eyebrows to make a more exact line. Also, concealer can be applied around the lips to correct lipstick mistakes and create a defined lip line. As a result, the concealer brush has become a multipurpose makeup tool.
Eyeshadow Brush
Use the eyeshadow brush to smooth eyeshadow over the eyelids. Here are a few tips:
- Apply eyeshadow below the bottom lash line to get a smoky eye look, but it is best to use eyeshadow with high pigmentation to keep the shadow from smearing.
- I always use at least three eyeshadows and apply to three areas of the eyes. For a simple everyday look, apply the darkest shadow in each corner making a triangle. Apply the medium shade over the middle section of the eye. Apply the lightest shade underneath the brow. It is important to blend. Blending is the most important technique for creating a professional and flawless look.
Blending Eyeshadow Brush
Blend eyeshadow by twirling the brush in a circular motion all over the eyelid especially where the colors meet to rid any hard lines and create a professional look. It is best to use a separate blending eyeshadow brush.
Eyebrow/EyeLash Brush
This brow brush is my favorite way to sculpt my eyebrows. The two-sided comb grooms brows and separates/defines lashes.
Smudge Brush
Use the smudge brush for a smokey or intense eye effect when using eyeliner and especially high pigmented eyeshadow.
Fan Brush
The fan brush has multiple usages as follows:
- Apply bronzer, brush or powder
- Brush away excess eyeshadow that has fallen on the face
- Allows a sheer application of blush or contour
- Gently removes too much blush or bronzer applied
Practice Makes Perfect for the Fastest Make-up Application
Using a combination of the above tools to practice on how to use make-up brushes to easily apply cosmetics will help you maintain a great look with minimum effort. Learn to practice using the brushes until you have created your unique look and style.
Makeup Brush Care
Clean your brushes daily if used. If this is not possible, clean them once a week with either a professional makeup brush cleaner or baby shampoo.
Storing your Brushes
Consider this handy make-up caddy by Avon for keeping your brushes clean and convention. I recommend keeping brushes separate from other make-up tools for cleanliness and hygiene.
Call to Action
Try to use a brush that is new to you and tell me the results!
Until next time…
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