The brushes and tools you require will depend on your make-up regime, but the good news is that quality brushes will last many years if cared for correctly. There are some fantastic inexpensive brush ranges around too, so decide which tools you would like to splurge on.
 
THE BASICS
- Foundation brushes are fantastic to give a lovely even coverage of liquid foundation, and will make your foundation go much further. They can also be used to apply primer, concealer, and cream blush and highlighters. Synthetic brush hairs are ideal for applying moist products.
 
- Powder brushes can be used to apply pressed or translucent powder, bronzer, blush and highlighting powders. Choose a medium to large size brush - natural brush hairs work best for blending powders.
 
- A medium sized eye shadow blending brush will work for applying base colours to the eyes, and colour in the crease of the eye.
 
- Angle brushes are perfect for defining eyebrows and lining eyes. Spend a little more and get a good quality, firm angle brush. (MAC do an excellent one).
 
- A good pair of tweezers is a must-have for keeping on top of stray eyebrow hairs. They are also great for applying false eyelashes.
 
 
 EXTRAS
- A blush brush is really the best way to get expertly applied blush. Never use the little brushes that come in blusher compacts – throw them away. (Same goes for the sponge applicators in eye shadow compacts).
 
- Lip brushes are useful for applying bright colours and getting a lovely clean, sharp edge. Retractable lip brushes are great to keep in your handbag for touch-ups.
 
- Small eye shadow brushes are useful for more complicated eye-makeup like smoky eyes – they are great to apply dense colour along the upper and lower lash line, and into the crease. These come in a variety of shapes, if you like detailed eye make-up it’s worth investing in a couple of these.
 
- An Eyeliner Brush is a brilliant tool to apply gel eyeliner, or a dark eye shadow that can be used wet. These brushes get a lovely, precise line and are perfect to create eyeliner flicks.
 
- Eyelash curlers are a fabulous tool – they take a while to get the hang of but are amazing for those with long, straight lashes to really open up the eyes.
 
Splurge – MAC, Bobbi Brown, Napoleon and Smashbox do beautiful, high quality brushes.
 
Save – QVS, Manicare, and Ecotools have some brilliant, inexpensive options.
 
Brush care – Shampoo bristles gently every two weeks, taking care not to dip the metal part in the water. Squeeze out excess water, and lie flat to dry with the bristles sitting out over the edge of the bench (this allows air to circulate and your brushes to dry in the correct shape).

Article by Stephanie Coulter

Be first to comment this article

Only registered users can write comments.

Please login or register.