While makeup application requires expertise, finding the right beauty tools is another aspect that you should pay attention to. With a range of makeup brushes that you can find in stores, keep in mind that what really matters is for you to choose the makeup tools and brushes that work according to look that you want to create.
Think that’s easy? Wait till you see an intimidating selection of makeup brushes that vary in shapes, sizes and bristles.
To avoid the confusion, here’s an article that presents a summary of the best makeup brushes that are commonly used by professional makeup artists.
TIPS IN CHOOSING MAKEUP BRUSHES
There is a wide range of makeup brushes in online stores and even in brick and mortar shops. With a range of brands, types and price differences, you may end up with great confusion in choosing the one you need.
The good news is, we are here to make it simple.
Here are some fundamental tips to guide you in choosing makeup brushes:
- Generally, you have to feel the brush. Soft-bristled makeup brushes will feel good on your skin. You also have to check the weight and length of the handle to make sure that you can work with your tool without any discomfort.
- Keep in mind that bristles vary and work differently. Natural bristles provide a nice finish, while synthetic bristles work well for liquid makeup. Also, brushes with compressed and firm bristles work effectively in applying makeup that requires a lot of colours. On the other hand, the looser packed brushes are ideal for applying lighter makeup, powder and for highlighting.
- Look for easy to clean makeup brushes. It is important to keep your brushes clean and conditioned to ensure that it will be working optimally and to prevent the spread of bacteria. There are makeup brushes that conveniently come with a brush cleanser.
- Don’t choose based on the price alone. Some brushes are more expensive than others, but they can be worthy. Don’t be discouraged from choosing the pricey ones especially if that means owning high-quality brushes that can last for years and save you money in the long run.
Types of Professional Makeup Brushes
MAKEUP BRUSHES FOR YOUR BASE
FOUNDATION BRUSH
tightly packed bristles and tapered tip
RMS Beauty Skin2Skin Foundation Brush
This brush is preferred to apply foundation with a smooth and flawless finish. You can also slightly dampen the brush with warm water to allow even distribution. Can also be used to blend brush strokes with a slightly wet sponge.
STIPPLING BRUSH
light and feathery ends
Perfect to create a base as it eases the application of product onto the skin, while its light fibres leave the skin flawless to achieve an airbrush effect.
POWDER BRUSH
long, fluffy bristles
Chado Powder Brush
The primary function of a powder brush is to dust your face with loose or compact powder, without making you look like the ghost from The Grudge. A good powder brush will allow you to set and touch up your makeup without moving any of the other present makeup on your skin.
BRONZER BRUSH
soft, full and rounded
RMS Beauty Kabuki Polisher
With its round shape, this brush allows even distribution of the makeup. It has bristles that pick up the right amount of colour to flawlessly apply onto the skin. Just shake off excess powder before applying on the skin.
CONCEALER BRUSH
flat brush, wide base, pointed tip, soft bristles
ILIA Beauty Concealer Brush
Want to look flawless? Correct your spots and achieve an even complexion using a concealer/camouflage brush. Use it to apply concealer under the eyes, hide dark spots and areas where broken capillaries or discolouration are apparent.
MINERAL POWDER BRUSH
thick and bundled
Ideal for wet and dry application. Specially designed for mineral powder. Simply apply in circular motion to achieve a flawless finish.
FAN POWDER BRUSH
flat, round, dome shape
Resembles the shape of a fan and specially made for use with loose powder. This brush sweeps a dust of powder lightly on the skin, resulting in a soft and velvety effect. This is the tool of choice if you’re aiming for light coverage or for the removal of excess facial powder.
MAKEUP BRUSHES FOR YOUR CHEEKS
BLUSHER BRUSH
more rounded and compact than a powder brush
Kjaer Weis Blush Brush
It has some similarities with the powder brush but it mainly works to pick up the colour of the blush, thus its rounded head and compact tip. It also comes with bristles that blends makeup on the apples of the cheeks while eliminating the chance for harsh lines to appear.
ANGLED BLUSH BRUSH
slanted bristles
This makeup brush essentially works to allow you to contour with a blush. With its angled bristles, blush powder is picked up and softly dusted on the cheeks, allowing precise application with natural effects.
FACE CONTOUR BRUSH
slanted and rounded shape with firmer bristles
Rouge Bunny Rouge Contour Brush
As its name suggests, this makeup brush is used for contouring. It resembles the angle of your cheekbones making it the perfect tool to help you put in focus the areas of the face that you want to contour and shape.
MAKEUP BRUSHES FOR YOUR EYES
EYESHADOW BRUSH
large, flat, short, with overflowing bristles
RMS Beauty Powder Eye Shadow Brush
This makeup brush is specifically designed to allow smooth and precise application of eye shadow. Whether you are using cream or powder eyeshadow, this brush can glide with ease to ensure application with minimal fallout.
ANGLE EYE BRUSH
long, round, tapered
Kjaer Weis Angle Eye Brush
Adding the perfect blend of shades to your eyes should be easy with the angle eye brush. It is designed to follow the natural crease of the eye socket so you can add hues and depth. Although designed for the eye socket, it can also be used as a brow liner and eyeliner. This makeup brush is shaped to easily fill in the brows according to your preference and with its sharp end, drawing a winged liner should be easy.
BLENDING EYE BRUSH
rounded brush top, soft bristles
Rouge Bunny Rouge Blender Brush
To blend eye shadows like a professional, this is the makeup brush that you should use. It comes with a rounded brush top to allow effortless blending and achieve a soft and blurred effect, without the harsh lines.
EYELINER BRUSH
flat tip brush
Rouge Bunny Rouge Eyeliner Brush
Want to get the perfect eyeliner? Find an eyeliner brush that can deliver even and fine line so you can achieve perfection and precision with a custom eyeliner that has the shape and effect that you want.
MAKEUP BRUSHES FOR YOUR BROWS
2-IN-1 DEFINING BRUSH
dual angle (spooled side / angled side)
Ecobrow Defining Brush
This makeup brush comes with a dual angle, with one side having a spooled brush and angled side on one end. It can be used as an eyeliner brush and a defining brush to allow artful and precise application.
EYEBROW DEFINER BRUSH
stiff and angled bristles
Rouge Bunny Rouge Brows Brush
Achieve symmetrical look by adding definition to your brows with this brush. With a precise application, it mimics the brow hairs to easily cover sparse areas. Also perfect for shaping and elongating the brows.
SPIRAL EYEBROW BRUSH
spiral and tapered design
Searching for a makeup brush to groom and sculpt your brows? A spiral eyebrow brush is a right choice. Use it to tame your brows, even out colour, and perfect its shape.
MAKEUP BRUSHES FOR YOUR LIPS
LIP BRUSH
pointed tip, tapered edge
Comes with a contoured design to allow effortless application of colour and shine to your lips, create lip definition, and achieve a polished look.
RETRACTABLE LIP BRUSH
light, retractable, portable
Rouge Bunny Rouge Lips Brush
This precision brush is perfect for the application of lipstick and gloss. Designed for those who want to travel light or those who are on the go.
DEFINING LIP BRUSH
sculpted tip, short & soft bristles
Achieve a flawless and well-defined lip line with a defining lip brush. It comes with a sculpted tip to allow ease of application even on the most difficult corners of the mouth.
READ MORE: The Best Eyebrow Types for a Range of Face Shapes
