Brush Breakdown: The Brushes You Need and How To Use Them

Sometimes makeup brushes can be really confusing. There are so many different kinds of brushes but how do you know which ones you actually need and how to use them. Below is a guide to the essential brushes you need in your makeup bag and the best way to use them.

1. Stippling Brush

Working well to blend cream or liquid products, the brush works for the foundation. Buffing foundation with a stippling brush gives an airbrushed effect and a smooth base for the powder products.

2. Concealer Brush

Flat brushes are great for blending over small blemishes. This is because they have control over the product in smaller areas.

3. Powder Brush

The fluffy bristles of this brush are essential for blending loose powder over the T-zone and under eyes. Powder brushes can come in a range from really dense to really fluffy depending on the area that you want to powder.

4. Angled Blush/Bronzer Brush

Angled brushes work well to apply powder product to the curved parts of the face such as the cheeks. The brush is also fluffy meaning that when applied the pigment will be even across the area rather than patchy.

5. Highlight/Fan Brush

Fan brushes are flat allowing for the product to be softy swept along the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, cupids bow and brow bone. Fan brushes are perfect for achieving a subtle glow rather than a blinding highlight.

6. Eyeshadow Blending Brush

The fluffy bristles of this kind of brush will dust pigment all over your eyelid and crease. You can use windshield wiper or swirling motion with this brush to blend pigments. It is great to buy eyeshadow brushes in a set to give you a variety of sizes and density.

7. Eyeliner Brush

When applying pot or cream eyeliner an angled eyeliner brush is the best thing to use, It gives you more control when attempting to draw a line on your lash line. You can also experiment with colours by using the brush to apply liquid lipstick as eyeliner too.

8. Lip Brush

A long thin brush which will allow you to apply lipstick or lip gloss evenly along your lips. This kind of brush works well to blend lipstick shades together to create an ombre effect. It is an essential brush for people who like a natural lipstick shade or a perfect pout

9. Spoolie

Basically a comb for your eyebrows and eyelashes. A spoolie separates eyelashes after mascara has been applied and shaped your eyebrows.

10. Makeup Sponge

Sponges are the easiest way to achieve a non-streaky and airbrushed look when using a liquid foundation or concealer. They can also make your base look more natural and have light coverage.