Brushes 2 - 7 of our 7 essential makeup brushes.
2. Some prefer sponges; In my humble opinion, brushes are the best for face powder application. They give you the ability to add just the slightest dusting of powder to set and finish your makeup, a big, fluffy brush makes you use a lighter hand (which will prevent you from pressing on so much product that you literally look like Frosty the Snowman). You'll need a brush with lots of soft bristles and a slightly “domed” shape; Farmasi's 2 sided facial brush ($6.90) is one I just can't get enough of, I LOVE it for applying our translucent powder after my foundation and concealer.
Alternative uses: If looking to add some shimmery color to your mix, a big brush lightly dabbed in a shimmery bronzer and dusted across the chest & cleavage will give you the slight but perfect shine you’re looking for. Again, just make sure you clean your brush WELL afterwards.
3. A loosely bristled blush-brush - The perfect blush brush makes all the difference between perfect rose colored cheeks and the clown from IT—and nobody wants to be IT. The best blush brush is about the same width as the apple of your cheek, lightly domed, with loosely-packed bristles (this means that it isn’t really dense; a really dense brush will practically pack color onto your cheeks like someone hit you with a mudpie , which is the opposite of what you want).
4. A flat highlighting brush or fan brush - If you’re into strobing (and honestly, who isn’t?), then you already know how important it is to have a phenomenal brush for highlighting. The best highlighting brush is medium in size, firmly bristled and fairly flat, this is so you can press shimmer onto your skin with the wider side, then blend it to Jesus with the edge. Brushes that are too fluffy don’t have enough control; they dust the highlight everywhere, so you end up with a face full of sparkle. Great if you're six and putting on your first magic show but otherwise, let's just say no.
5. A firm-bristled angled brush for brows - If you’ve been anywhere other than under a rock for the last few years, you already know that eyebrows are more important than ever. It's literally the first thing the brain registers on someone's face. And whether you’re just filling in some sparse areas or drawing on an entirely new pair (no shame, I’ve been there too), a great angled brush is a must. Look for a brush that has very firm bristles and a really narrow edge; the more fine your angled brush is, the more delicate you can keep those lines, and the more natural-looking your brows. Farmasi's Two Sided Eyebrow Brush ($5.90) meets all the criteria. It’s a perfect brush to use with pomades, waxes, gels or powders, and the spoolie brush on the other side gives additional flawless blending.
Alternative uses: Angled brushes are perfect for eyeliner. Just tap the end of your angled brush in gel (or liquid) liner, brush off the excess on the back of your hand, then press along your lash line. Voila! Great liner every time.
6. A small eye shadow brush - From eye shadow to small spaces, like beneath the arch of your brow, the inside corner of your eyes or around your tear ducts. You'll need a little brush. The best small shadow brush is just slightly firm with soft, yet dense bristles and a rounded, never flat or rectangular tip. The eye shadow brush from Farmasi ($5.90) is brilliant; just small and smart enough to get into all the delicate spaces yet big enough to still be useful, it applies and blends powder, cream and liquid formulas perfectly.
7. A fluffy crease brush - My absolute favorite brush! Truth be told, I use it for more than I should! Blending is serious if you want it perfect and, perfect blending is all that it takes to elevate your look from simple to chic. When it comes to blending eye shadow, having a dedicated blending brush is essential. The best blending brush is long, thin and flexible, with loosely-packed bristles and a tapered tip. Having this will ensure that it blends your eye shadow products, rather than just smearing them around.
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