whether you're wondering whether you really need 21 cosmetic brushes, the answer is...maybe. Are you like me? Who wants every cosmetics brush in five different colours and sizes? Or are you ok with just a few crusty old equipment (ahem, clean your brushes quickly) and your fingers to apply your products? Regardless, whether you fall into either category, I've produced a list of the finest cosmetic brushes ever to add to your collection or get you started on the beauty brush journey.
"Having the right makeup brushes in your collection offers much more versatility and the ability to create endless looks, as well as more precise placement of colour," explains Dani Kimiko Vincent, creator of KIMIKO beauty and celebrity makeup and brow artist. Use this guide as a shopping list and Vincent's advise to figure out what all these strange bristles are for, or as a reference for all of the cosmetics application guidelines supplied with each brush.
If you want the quick version, check out my desert-island suggestions right here, or keep reading for all the facts and products.
1. Mascara wand
Disposable tester applicators aren't exclusively for the cosmetic shop display shelves. These mascara wands, often known as spoolie brushes, belong in your beauty bag. The tips have 360-degree synthetic bristles (similar to pipe cleaners) and flexible heads, allowing for customisation. You may assume you don't need additional spoolie wands since your mascara already has one, but after you see how versatile these little fellas are, you'll understand why they're #1 on our list.
How To Use A Mascara Wand:
Let's begin with the obvious: Mascara. Use this beauty brush to apply mascara. "Use a mascara wand to brush brows and remove unevenly placed mascara. It's also wonderful for controlling flyaways on your head," explains Vincent. What is my favourite use? You may gently touch the bristles to remove mascara smudges without disturbing the makeup below. You may use it to apply eyelash and brow serums, making it a versatile tool.
2. Angled Eyeshadow Brush
Some eyeshadow brushes are spherical, flat, or tapered, but the one we're discussing right now is angled. Although fluffier than an angled eyeliner brush, these brushes feature a similar slanted design with strong bristles that are shorter on one end and progressively become longer and fuller on the other.
How to Use an Angled Eyeshadow Brush.
Think of it as a contour brush for your eyes, with angled bristles that hug the curve of your brow bone while applying shadow in the crease. Because the bristles are robust and fluffy, this cosmetics brush is also ideal for diffusing eyeshadow in an outer "V" shape for blended winged shadow.
3. Precision Liner Brush
Perhaps you call it a precision liner brush or a lip liner brush. The compact, pointed design of this cosmetics brush makes it easy to recognise. The tip of this brush seems thin enough to count the bristles, yet it's filled with synthetic hairs to help preserve its form, allowing you to draw exact lines in even the smallest spaces.
How To Use A Lip Liner Brush:
What little areas are we talking about? Use this brush to apply lip liner or tightline to brighten your eyes. If you don't have any colourful eyeliner pencils, you may use this to create a stylish, graphic eyeliner like Euphoria. Pro tip: When drawing, hold it at a small angle (rather than straight up and down) to make the line smoother, straighter, and less wobbly.
4. Duo-fiber brush.
A duo-fibre brush has two types of bristles, each with a distinct length. The two kinds of bristles make the brush firmer at the bottom and finer at the top. Duo-fibre brushes come in several sizes, including smaller versions for blending cream blushes, liquid highlighters, powders, and loose pigments, in addition to applying liquid foundation.
How to Use a Duo-Fiber Brush:
When using a duo-fibre brush, carefully mix the makeup without bending the bristles. To avoid streak markings, use mild pressure and a circular motion to apply the cream to the skin.
5. Stippling Brush
A stippling brush may easily get mistaken with a duo-fibre brush. To get a softer, airbrushed foundation application, use a stippling brush. These brushes have a lighter finish, making them excellent for applying tinted moisturiser or sheering out liquids and creams without damaging the product below. Have you ever tried blending with your fingers and ended up with patchiness? Exactly).
How To Use A Stippling Brush:
Dip the brushes into the liquid makeup or swipe them through a cream stick or powder before gently swirling them into your skin. Remember: these are only the tips. If you have a propensity to poke your brushes into your skin (why do we do this?!), hold the brush by the end, giving you almost no control.
6. Blending Sponge
Remember how I said that a brush for liquid foundation makeup is optional? Makeup artists and YouTubers often use sponges to achieve an airbrushed, streak-free appearance. Sponges have a rounded, smooth form that prevents stray bristles and allows for a natural finish when applying foundation, concealer, or cream blush.
How To Use A Blending Sponge:
The most efficient way to use a sponge is to soak it with running water, squeeze out the excess, and then squeeze it again in a clean towel or paper towel. Wetting your sponge with water prevents it from absorbing all of your foundation and ensures a smoother cosmetic application. Use the sponge's wide sides to stamp and stipple cream formulae throughout your face, and the tip to get into cracks around your nose and eyes.