OK Ladies, we are starting off with the most basic essentials when it comes to makeup, no it’s not mascara or lip gloss…it’s the tools!! How many times have you attempted to recreate a look and it just doesn’t look the same? Well listen up, it’s not you. It’s the tools that you are using. Next time you get your makeup done, check out the kit your makeup artist uses. I guarantee you will not see them using any of those prepackaged, plastic, rough applicators that come with your drugstore eye shadow compacts and if you do, ask for a refund! Professionals and makeup gurus know that the right tools make a huge difference. If you want to get the most out of your makeup collection, ditch the prepackaged applicators and pick up some of the essentials below.
Makeup brushes come in all different sizes, shapes and materials. There are short brushes, long brushes, fluffy brushes and tapered brushes, each one has a different use. There are also different materials such as synthetic hair, horse hair and sable hair. Any of these materials will get the job done. However, sable hair brushes will feel much more luxurious on your skin but not so friendly to your wallet while synthetic hair brushes aren’t quite as soft but still comfortable on your skin and budget friendly.
Read on to learn the correct uses of the different brushes you can find in your neighborhood Sephora or other favorite beauty supply store!
Foundation Brush – Foundation brushes have a large flat tip that makes it quick and easy to cover your entire face. NOTE: Foundation brushes are the one brush that I would tell you not to bother with when applying makeup to your own face. It is much more effective to apply foundation using your fingers. The heat from your skin warms the makeup to help it adhere and blend with your skin for a more natural look. Just make sure you wash your hands before applying so that you don’t spread any dirt or bacteria on your skin. Yuck!
Powder Brush – These are large and fluffy so that they quickly cover the large surface area of your face and evenly deposit the powder to hold your foundation in place for long lasting wear.
Blush Brush – This is another large and fluffy brush but with a sloped tip for more precise application to your cheeks.
Eyeshadow Brush – Your eyeshadow brushes come in a few different sizes and typically have square heads with a rounded tip. The larger eyeshadow brushes are used for covering the entire lid, from your lash line up to the brow bone with a base color, while the smaller brushes are great for more localized application such as just your lid.
Blending Brush – These are softer than an eyeshadow brush with a round and tapered head. Use this brush for blending color and softening harsh lines. Hello smokey eyes!
Concealer Brush – This brush has a small head that is either square or pointed. It is used to apply concealer to cover blemishes. The small head is perfect for precise placement of the pigment.
Lip Brush – Lip brushes have a firm thin tip, ideal for creating a perfect lip line. I rarely use lip brushes on myself but they are a great tool when applying bright or deep, rich colors that are far from your natural lip color. You do not want that pigment straying from your lip line!
Cleaning Your Brushes
How often do you clean your brushes? If it’s less than once a month I bet your brushes would make a great science experiment! Believe it or not, brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria which can create those dreaded blemishes on our faces…pimples! Luckily, there is no need to throw away your expensive brushes, just simply clean them. After each makeup application I clean all of my brushes (and makeup) by spraying them with 99% alcohol and then wipe them down with paper towels. This will kill any bacteria that the brushes may have contracted. Then, once a month I soak all of my brushes in a cup of brush cleaner (find it at your nearest beauty supply store). This removes any leftover pigment on your brushes, leaving them looking and working like brand new!
I hope you find these tips helpful. If you have any questions, please write in and ask me!
Now that you have the tools, go get your beauty on!!
xoxo Ashley Morgan
