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Choosing makeup brushes can be super overwhelming, whether you’re a professional makeup artist, a makeup enthusiast, or even just a basic everyday makeup wearer. I get asked about brushes SO much, so I thought it was about time that I put my thoughts together in a blog post!
I highly suggest you bookmark this page because I guarantee you’ll be shopping for makeup one day and think to yourself, “wait, do I really need this brush?” Of course, if you want to learn more about how to use your brushes to achieve a gorgeous everyday makeup look, you can find that in my book, Be Your Own Makeup Artist. 😉
Less Is More. (You’ve heard me say this a lot)
Sure, having a huge makeup collection with tons of brushes might be fun, the truth is, most of us can get by with just 2-3 brushes. Even as a professional makeup artist, I’ve had to do super quick applications for a client and I’ve pulled double duty on brushes and guess what? It works just fine!
I get it. It’s so much fun to watch makeup tutorials and see all the fun brushes people have and use, but it’s important to remember that most of the time, these people are getting these things for free from brands. They’re not spending their own money, and if they had to, I doubt they would even own half of them. You do not need 29 makeup brushes. Trust me.
Not convinced? What if I told you that many professional makeup artists, myself included, often use their (clean) fingers instead of brushes to apply makeup to themselves and their clients. There are many cases where fingertips just work better. I make a point to note these cases in my book because I really feel that if something you already own works great, you don’t need to go out and buy something new. Call me crazy, but that’s just what I practice AND preach!
So, if you don’t need dozens and dozens of brushes, which ones DO you need to have in your makeup kit?
Choosing Makeup Brushes
Brushes are an essential part of your makeup kit, so knowing how to shop for the right brush is so important. With the right tools (not necessarily the most expensive ones), your makeup will look better, apply easier, and last longer.
1. Choose Quality Over QuantityAlways invest in quality brushes. Again, you don’t need a lot of brushes; you just need the right brushes. When choosing a brush, remember that a high price point doesn’t necessarily mean high quality. Select quality items and keep in mind that if you take care of your brushes (and clean them regularly) they will last a while, so look at it as a long-term investment.
2. Avoid Buying SetsAvoid purchasing brush sets at all costs. Yes, it’s tempting to buy them; after all, they look so pretty organized nicely in that little carrying case. But here’s the harsh truth: sets normally contain a bunch of brushes that wouldn’t normally sell well on their own and I bet you won’t even reach for half of them. It’s really just such a waste of money.
3. Know Which Makeup Brush Does WhatChoosing the right makeup brush is not just about watching a YouTube video and buying everything they recommend. It’s also not about reading this blog post and buying every single brush I mention. When choosing your makeup and brushes, it’s important that you do your homework and decide which products work best for you… not someone else.
Makeup Brush 101
I want to empower you with the knowledge you need to buy the best brushes for your preferred makeup look, so here’s a little more info on some of the most popular kinds of brushes and what each of them is used for.
Keep in mind: this is not a complete list. My goal is to help you recognize the most popular brushes that you will see in the makeup brush aisle. I want you to be able to pick up the ones you need and skip the ones you don’t.
Stippling Brush: This kind of brush is perfect for buffing liquid, cream, or mousse foundation. Use small, circular strokes to blend.
Foundation Brush: Use this flat brush to apply liquid foundation by swiping back and forth until it’s all blended.
Powder Brush: This is a large, fluffy brush that’s perfect for applying powder over the top of your liquid foundation.
Setting Brush: This smaller version of the powder brush is perfect for locking in your foundation and concealer with setting powder.
Fan Brush: You will use this thin, flat brush for applying highlighter, blush, and bronzer. This is one I normally tell people they can skip. I actually use my favorite setting brush for this!
Blush Brush: This is a medium-sized blush that is great for applying and blending blush and bronzer.
Angled Cheek Brush: This slanted brush is ideal for various applications, such as blush, bronzer, and contouring.
Lip Brush: If you want to apply lipstick more precisely, you can use this small, flat brush. Most everyday makeup wearers don’t need to invest in a lip brush, in my opinion.
Eyeshadow Brush: This is a flat brush that comes in both large and small sizes, perfect for applying eyeshadow.
Crease Brush: The slight angle of this brush helps get into the crease of the eyelid. This is for more “advanced” eyeshadow applications.
Blending Brush: This small, fluffy brush is ideal for blending different shadow colors for a more natural look.
Eyeliner Brush: This angled brush makes applying gel eyeliner a breeze. If you like to use eyeshadow as an eyeliner, this is a great brush to have, too. You can even use it to fill in brows!
Eyebrow Brush: This kind of brush usually has a comb on one side and a spoolie on the other to groom brows and make them look fuller.
Beauty Sponge: This bulb-shaped sponge is good for patting and blending liquid foundation and concealer. You HAVE to wet the sponge before using it or it will soak up all your product.
Kabuki Brush: Use this short, stubby brush to apply powder foundation in small circular motions. You can use it lightly to apply blush or bronzer, too.
PS: check out this infographic from my book Be Your Own Makeup Artist and save it on Pinterest!
Goto bodesi' to know more.
Which Makeup Brushes Do Beginners Need?
If you are a makeup beginner and you want to build a nice makeup kit, resist the urge to buy a makeup brush set. Instead, here is a list of brushes I believe are essential for beginners:
1 brush to apply foundation (or a quality beauty sponge)
1 brush for contouring/blush/highlighting (like a setting brush)
1 eyeshadow brush
1 eyeliner brush
1 eyebrow brush
If you’re ready to start shopping, I’ve created this free downloadable Makeup Brush Guide. In it, you will find more details about the essential brushes I recommend in each of these categories and I give a helpful checklist to make it easier for you to choose the right brushes.
How to Take Care of Your Brushes
Once you invest in some brushes, you need to learn how to take care of them. Brushes are made to last a while, as long as you clean and store them properly.
When washing your brushes, use a mild cleanser to maintain quality. My favorite (and the most cost-effective option) is baby shampoo! It’s so gentle, but it still gets the job done. I’ve used Johnson & Johnson’s baby shampoo for probably 15 years. I still use that on my own brushes, but I splurge a little and use Sonia Roselli Tiger Eye Soap for my pro kit.
For makeup sponges, you will want to use something a little different. I use Beauty Blender beauty sponges, so I can only speak to that, but I double cleanse using Beauty Blender Liquid Cleanser followed by Beauty Blender Solid Pro (you can use this for brushes too, it’s just a little more pricey.)
PS: Want some quick insights about makeup brushes for beginners?! Check out this video I’ve recorded about the topic!
Psst.. If you want to know more about how to wash and sanitize your brushes and the rest of your makeup, grab a copy of my free Makeup Sanitation Guide!
I hope this post has cleared up some of the mystery surrounding makeup brushes. I always aim to make things as easy as possible for people, but if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or reach out to me using the Ask Setareh form on my website!
Did you know the makeup brush market in the U.S. is worth over $350 million? That’s probably because having the right makeup brush can help you achieve the perfect look.
The key to getting the most out of your beauty routine is having the right makeup brush. But with so many different kinds of brushes on the market, knowing which one to buy can be confusing. Keep reading to learn seven pro tips for choosing the best makeup brush.
You don’t need twenty makeup brushes in your arsenal. Having the right quality brushes is a lot more important than the number of brushes you have. Remember that choosing an expensive brush doesn’t always mean it’s high quality.
Do your research and be sure to choose quality products. Keep in mind that if you take care of your brushes and clean them regularly, they will last a long time. You should look at buying quality brushes as a long-term investment.
While it might be tempting to buy a matching brush set with a cute little carrying case, you should avoid them at all costs. Sets usually contain brushes that don’t sell well on their own and that you’d most likely never buy separately. That means you’re wasting money on brushes you’ll never use.
Instead of buying a set, focus on finding brushes that work for you and are right for each task. That way you’ll be sure to use all of your brushes and will be happy with the outcome.
Fiber density refers to how many bristles are in a brush. Choosing a makeup brush with the right fiber density is key to depositing the right amount of color on your face. A denser brush will leave more color, while a less dense brush creates a softer application.
The right density depends on what you’re using a makeup brush for. If you are shopping for an eye shadow brush, you want it to be rather dense. Brushes for blush or blending should be less dense. The best way to evaluate the density of a brush is to see it in person.
The bristles in a makeup brush are made of either synthetic or natural fibers. Natural fibers usually come from an animal, like a goat or squirrel. There is an age-old debate on whether natural fiber brushes are ethically sourced or not.
While natural fiber brushes used to be preferred because they were softer, technological advancements have led to quality improvements in synthetic brushes. In today’s market, synthetic brushes are guaranteed to be cruelty-free and feel very similar to natural fiber bristles.
Makeup brushes are specifically designed to target certain areas of the face, and using the wrong brush can throw off your whole look. It’s important to know how to use a makeup brush and which brush does what.
There are five brushes that are recommended for everyone to have in their makeup kit. They include a powder brush, blush brush, foundation brush, flat eyeshadow brush, and an eyeshadow crease brush. Each is explained below.
A powder brush evenly disperses across the face. The type you choose will depend on whether you’re using a pressed or loose powder.
A blush brush applies a concentrated amount of pigment to the cheeks. Typically a blush brush is smaller than a powder brush and has domed bristles that are super soft.
A foundation brush evenly applies liquid or cream foundation to the face. There are many different kinds of foundation brushes, so you have to decide what type you’re looking for. A flat foundation brush is great for applying liquid or cream formulas. If you’re looking for high coverage, you want a dense brush with synthetic bristles.
A flat eyeshadow brush will help you pat and blend eyeshadow onto the eyelid. Look for a brush with synthetic bristles that mimics natural hair. It’ll give you an even, defined application to your eyelid.
An eyeshadow crease brush blends and applies eyeshadow to the crease of your eye. This brush is what’s going to blend your eyeshadow to perfection. Size can vary, but these brushes typically are shaped to fit the curve of the eye.
When shopping for makeup brushes, you should look for ones that have a domed shape tip. The domed shape allows the bristles to roll evenly and easily across your face. The curved shape makes it easier to control the application of makeup and will help you achieve your desired look.
It's good to keep in mind what types of brushes you should splurge on and where you can save a bit of cash. Since brushes for foundation and powder are used all over your face, this is a good place to make a bigger investment. If you’re in the market for a new face brush, consider the benefits of a sonic makeup brush.
Other types of brushes that experts recommend splurging on are blush, shadow, and lip brushes. A lot of experts agree that there are great budget-friendly options for highlighter and eyeliner brushes. You can get brushes that will give you great results at a fraction of the price.
Now that you know the top seven pro tips for choosing a makeup brush, are you ready to find the right one for you? There’s no need to rush to buy makeup brushes. Instead, use these tips to curate the best makeup brush collection for you.
Searching for more pro beauty tips? Spa Sciences can help! Check out the rest of our blog today to help you on the journey to getting your best skin yet!
For more information, please visit Personalized Makeup Brushes.