What makeup brush should I buy?

What makeup brushes should I buy? What do these makeup brushes do? What are the basic types of makeup brushes? Do I really need them? The world of makeup brushes can be large and confusing. This post will hopefully clarify some of that by outlining the descriptions and intended usage of the basic types of makeup brushes and their necessary maintenance. In a consecutive post, we'll be spilling Orientelle's picks of the essential makeup brush set, what you should splurge on and what you can do without. And finally, we'll end this short makeup brush series with some info on how you can "Go Green"! with your brush set!

 

 

Brushes for your face

Foundation brush: Characterized by a flat shape with synthetic bristles for smooth application of liquid/cream foundation. This brush ensures that your foundation is applied flawlessly and reaches all the nooks and crannies of your face.

 

Concealer brush: Characterized by a flat shape with short synthetic bristles, it resembles a small paintbrush. This brush is small in size to allow for precision cover up, especially for masking imperfections.

 

Powder brush: Characterized by it's fluffy and soft, natural bristles with a large surface area for coverage. This brush is used to dust powder all over your face evenly to set makeup and eliminate shine.

 

Tip for usage: Tap off excess powder before using. Start from your forehead down for extra smooth application.

 

 

Highlighter/Contouring brush: Also characterized by a flat shape, this brush looks similar to a foundation brush. It is used, like it's name suggests, to highlight specific areas of your face to accentuate your features. What's great about it is that it's the perfect size (not too large and not too small) to offer the right amount of coverage when highlighting for a natural look. 

 

 

Blush brush: This brush looks like a powder brush but is usually a bit smaller. It's characterized by fluffy and soft natural bristles and is meant to provide even distribution for your blush. No more streakiness!

 

 

Kabuki brush: Characterized by it's fluffy, thick bristles, this brush is used for mineral makeup application. You can find more information on mineral makeup and the kabuki brush in our previous post on mineral makeup.

 

 

Brushes for your eyes

Eyeliner brush: The eyeliner brush is flat, synthetic (for liquid application) and it's edge is sharp for precision when applying liquid liner.

 

Tip: Don't draw using the eyeliner brush but rather, dab the liner on.

 

 

Eye shader brush: The eye shader brush is the largest of the brushes for eyes as it's principal usage is to shade the eyelid with the lightest shade from your shadow palette. It is made with soft, natural bristles.

 

 

Eye smudge brush: The eye smudge brush is the smallest and stubbiest of the brushes for the eyes. It's small and especially handy for precision makeup application and applying the darkest shade in your shadow palette, like those used in the smokey eye look.

 

 

Eyeshadow brush: The eye shadow brush is your basic eye brush. It's size is in between that of the shader and the smudge brush. Made from natural bristles, this brush is usually used with the medium shade in your shadow palette.

 

 

Eyebrow brush: The eyebrow brush resembles the eyeliner brush with it's flat shape and sharp edge. However, this brush is angled for precise application along the brow and it's made with natural bristles for the brow powder.

 

 

 

Brushes for your lips

Lip brush: The lip brush is slender and thin, made with synthetic bristles such as nylon for easy and precise application of lip gloss or lipstick.

 

 

Videos on how to use each brush

 

A video from April Athena showing us how she does her natural everyday makeup, includes video of how to use the foundation, concealer, eye brow and lip brushes.

 

A video from Xteener showing us how to use our eye brushes and as a plus, how to do a great smokey eye look!

 

A video from BubzBeauty showing us how to use our highlighting brush for contouring and highlighting!

 

Conclusion

 

Now that you're one step closer to becoming a makeup brush expert and user, you have to remember to clean your brushes! Dirty brushes can lead to bad makeup application, waste of product and bad breakouts :( We advice to clean your brushes, at least those that you use daily, once a week. We have a great post already on how to clean your makeup brushes, check it out here.

 

Long post, I know! We're almost done- upcoming posts to complete this mini makeup brush tutorial:

• Orientelle's picks for the absolutely essential makeup brushes
• How to go green with our brushes
• Where to get a good set of makeup brushes

Till the next post!