Beloved helpers

Choosing make-up brushes

12 Jun 2024

When creating flawless makeup, professional helpers – high-quality brushes are essential. They are just as important to be used at home as they are for professional makeup artistry. The selection of brushes is vast, and it can be overwhelming when choosing sizes, types, and brands. Which tools should you choose to not only beautify your vanity but also be truly useful?

For blush

Unsplash, William Shu

Some types of cosmetics, such as eyeshadows or eyeliners, come with a brush. If you’ve chosen a product from a well-known brand, like a Bobbi Brown eyeshadow palette, the included brushes should be enough.

However, for blush, it’s worth purchasing a separate brush. Blush typically comes in small square or round containers. The brushes included are usually small, which can be inconvenient to use – except perhaps for touch-ups when you’re out.

What to choose? A blush brush should become your cheekbones’ best friend, so look for dense bristles that are soft and pleasant in touch, an ergonomic and comfortable handle, and well-secured bristles (you’ll notice if they fall out when you buy them). Brands like Make Up, M.A.C., and Bobbi Brown produce excellent brushes. Guerlain also offers limited-edition brushes that, in addition to high quality, feature unique designs.

For foundation

You’ve probably seen makeup artists apply a pea-sized amount of foundation to the back of their hand. This is done to bring the product to body temperature. This professional trick is worth noting – combined with the right brush, it will help you achieve not only an ideal complexion but also correct facial contours. What distinguishes a good brush?

An angled edge, a convenient long handle, and very soft, wide bristles. The brush should be easy to clean and not absorb too much foundation, making synthetic bristles a good choice. Such a brush can also be used for blush and bronzers, making it a ‘three-in-one’ purchase.

For powder

You first thought of a kabuki brush? You are right – this shape is beloved by many makeup artists. Choosing such a brush is a fail-safe option. If you prefer a brush with a long handle, make sure it fits comfortably in your hand. The bristles are just as important – they should be firm yet soft, densely packed, gently glide over the skin, pick up the optimal amount of powder, and distribute it evenly upon application. A fluffy brush made of soft bristles from a reputable manufacturer will make the powder application process simple and convenient and will be a reliable tool for a long time.

For eyebrows

Unsplash, Edz Norton

An eyebrow brush will come in handy if you have natural brows and don’t use brow makeup, but it’s especially useful if you shape your brows with a pencil or mascara. We recommend choosing a dual-sided model, like Bobbi Brown’s – the angled flat side is perfect for filling in sparse areas with powder, while the spiral brush helps to comb and lift the hairs. It can also be used with a gel eyeliner fixer. Pay attention to the ergonomic handle. These brushes are also excellent individually – look for the best options from the Japanese brand Shu Uemura.

You can buy a large brush set (like those from Chanel or M.A.C), but if you’re not a professional makeup artist, start with the essentials and gradually add more as needed. Even a small number of well-chosen brushes can elevate your makeup to a higher level.

Unsplash, Rosa Rafael

 

12 Jun 2024
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