Makeup Brushes & Tools: an introduction to the tools of the makeup trade
Brushes, sponges, tweezers and eyelash curlers (and possibly Mr Q Tip) are the tools that beauty lovers use to apply their makeup. Don't get me wrong, you can do many steps (if not all) without tools but using them essentially brings your makeup game to a new level.
Here I will talk about as many different brush styles as I can think of and list some of my favourites for different functions. These aren't hard and fast rules, use brushes as they work for you.
If you've read my other two guides you'll notice I have occasionally left gaps which this post should fill. If you want to see what a collection of brushes looks like I have my collection up on here too.
Brushes consist of handles (for holding), ferrules (grip hairs) and bristles/fibers/hairs (for application).
A note on bristle/fiber types: natural hairs come from animals and synthetic hairs are human made. The general rule is to use natural bristles only for powder products and synthetic for either but great for liquids and creams.
Face
Sponges: extremely popular nowadays, makeup sponges have evolved from the one-time use triangles sold in multi-packs and now refer predominantly to egg (roughly) shaped sponges which are wet and used to apply foundation. They can also be used to blend out other cream products and some use them to apply powder, especially for baking (heavily applying loose powder and allowing this to set areas which tend to crease or those one wishes to brighten e.g. undereyes). Check out the Beauty Blender or the RealTechniques Miracle Complexion Sponge.
Kabuki brushes: great for applying foundation and powder. Comes in a range of cuts from flat across to tapered edges, angled, etc. You can use these for blush or contour but they're generally too large to fit the space and too dense to appear natural (because it packs on too much product). Check out the Coastal Scents BR-110 or the Sigma Kabuki line.
Powder brushes: a bit of a cop out name but due to their size face powder is pretty much all they're good for. This covers any particularly large brush, usually more loosely packed than kabukis and cut either straight or rounded. Check out the e.l.f. Powder Brush or the RealTechniques Buffing Brush.
'Foundation' brushes (traditional flat paddle): brushes that were previously used for applying foundation but are now largely rejected due to the fact they don't cover as wide an area and tend to leave streaks. They are acceptable for placing product but struggle with blending it out.
Blush brushes: brushes used for working on the cheek area need to be appropriately sized for your cheek and where you like your product. Generally blush brushes consist of soft angled or tapered styles and can also be more spherical. Check out the e.l.f. Blush Brush for a tapered option.
Duo fiber brushes: come in all shapes and sizes. Contain two different fibers (generally one natural and one synthetic) and looser than any other style. This makes it great for creating a light finish with whatever you might use it for (e.g. foundation, cream blush or contour)
Fan brushes: set in very narrow ferrules these brushes are used for highlighting or sweeping off fallout or excess powder.
Angled cheek brushes: similarly sized to 'blush brushes', these brushes are a size appropriate for applying blush, bronzer or contour and have an angled cut to the bristles.
Contour brushes: the most popular consist of rectangular, flat cut brushes which sharply define the area. Another style that I love is a small bulbous shape which I find blends nicer. See Nars Eta or RealTechniques Contour Brush.
Setting brushes: while you don't need a specific brush for this purpose, setting brushes have small rounded bristles which fit comfortably under the eye, an area that is set with powder by most. See RealTechniques' Setting brush
Eye
Flat shader: as the name implies these are flat brushes meant to pack shadow widely across the lid. Their size varies somewhat but all eye brushes should b e smaller than your lid.
Crease brush: a small, defined, rounded brush for applying a shade (generally your deepest) into the crease or fold of the eye to define it.
Pencil brush: like a crease brush but smaller and more tapered. Used for cut creases or on the lower lashline; any area which is being sharply defined.
Blending brush: a looser, fluffier brush for blending out shades. Often used with a medium transition shade to ease the transition of crease shades into the skin tone.
Angled brushes: usually thin liner brushes used for eyeliner or brow product. Technically angled simply describes the cut of any brush but usually refers to the aforementioned specific types.
Straight or bent liner brushes: also used for gel eyeliner, these are very small brushes with few hairs, meant to draw lines. The ferrule comes straight (like a pencil) or bent at about a 45 degree angle.
Smudger brush: a small, straight brush, wider than it is long, meant for smudging either pre-placed liner or shadow or to apply shadow to the lashlines.
Detailer brush: a general term to describe very small brushes, frequently used to apply highlight to the inner corner and often shaped like flat shaders in miniature.
Spoolie: a spiral brush meant to comb out the brow hairs or occasionally lashes. May be used before or after product is applied.
Lash comb: the best are metal but they also comb in plastic. Like a spoolie this combs the lashes, but is firmer and more defined so is better for eyelashes, especially after mascara.
Tweezers: obviously you will most often use these to remove hairs but tweezers are also helpful for some when applying false eyelashes, should you choose to do so.
Eyelash curlers: these come at a variety of price points and are devices intended to curl the lashes upward before applying mascara. I think they're great, they really make a difference to my eyes but you don't absolutely have to use one. They come in full lash, half lash and heated varieties.
Lip brush: a small synthetic fiber brush which is sometimes disposable, to apply lipstick to the lips without the bullet. Used with lipsticks in potted form or to create cleaner edges than a bullet can provide. Usually shaped in a flat, tapered form with a slightly rounded tip.
Q-tip/Cotton Bud: can serve several purposes including wiping off small mistakes or smudges either alone or dipped in makeup remover; smudging out product in the place of a smudger brush (i.e. if you don't have one or don't have a clean one); application of product to the inner corner of the eye.
I hope that gives more than a vague explanation of a lot of the available brushes out there. Feel free to google the names to get a better visual. Apologies if I've forgotten or poorly explained anything, I welcome any comments to clear any ambiguity up. Have a lovely day,
Cassy
Here I will talk about as many different brush styles as I can think of and list some of my favourites for different functions. These aren't hard and fast rules, use brushes as they work for you.
If you've read my other two guides you'll notice I have occasionally left gaps which this post should fill. If you want to see what a collection of brushes looks like I have my collection up on here too.
Brushes consist of handles (for holding), ferrules (grip hairs) and bristles/fibers/hairs (for application).
A note on bristle/fiber types: natural hairs come from animals and synthetic hairs are human made. The general rule is to use natural bristles only for powder products and synthetic for either but great for liquids and creams.
Face
Sponges: extremely popular nowadays, makeup sponges have evolved from the one-time use triangles sold in multi-packs and now refer predominantly to egg (roughly) shaped sponges which are wet and used to apply foundation. They can also be used to blend out other cream products and some use them to apply powder, especially for baking (heavily applying loose powder and allowing this to set areas which tend to crease or those one wishes to brighten e.g. undereyes). Check out the Beauty Blender or the RealTechniques Miracle Complexion Sponge.
Kabuki brushes: great for applying foundation and powder. Comes in a range of cuts from flat across to tapered edges, angled, etc. You can use these for blush or contour but they're generally too large to fit the space and too dense to appear natural (because it packs on too much product). Check out the Coastal Scents BR-110 or the Sigma Kabuki line.
Powder brushes: a bit of a cop out name but due to their size face powder is pretty much all they're good for. This covers any particularly large brush, usually more loosely packed than kabukis and cut either straight or rounded. Check out the e.l.f. Powder Brush or the RealTechniques Buffing Brush.
'Foundation' brushes (traditional flat paddle): brushes that were previously used for applying foundation but are now largely rejected due to the fact they don't cover as wide an area and tend to leave streaks. They are acceptable for placing product but struggle with blending it out.
Blush brushes: brushes used for working on the cheek area need to be appropriately sized for your cheek and where you like your product. Generally blush brushes consist of soft angled or tapered styles and can also be more spherical. Check out the e.l.f. Blush Brush for a tapered option.
Duo fiber brushes: come in all shapes and sizes. Contain two different fibers (generally one natural and one synthetic) and looser than any other style. This makes it great for creating a light finish with whatever you might use it for (e.g. foundation, cream blush or contour)
Fan brushes: set in very narrow ferrules these brushes are used for highlighting or sweeping off fallout or excess powder.
Angled cheek brushes: similarly sized to 'blush brushes', these brushes are a size appropriate for applying blush, bronzer or contour and have an angled cut to the bristles.
Contour brushes: the most popular consist of rectangular, flat cut brushes which sharply define the area. Another style that I love is a small bulbous shape which I find blends nicer. See Nars Eta or RealTechniques Contour Brush.
Setting brushes: while you don't need a specific brush for this purpose, setting brushes have small rounded bristles which fit comfortably under the eye, an area that is set with powder by most. See RealTechniques' Setting brush
Eye
Flat shader: as the name implies these are flat brushes meant to pack shadow widely across the lid. Their size varies somewhat but all eye brushes should b e smaller than your lid.
Crease brush: a small, defined, rounded brush for applying a shade (generally your deepest) into the crease or fold of the eye to define it.
Pencil brush: like a crease brush but smaller and more tapered. Used for cut creases or on the lower lashline; any area which is being sharply defined.
Blending brush: a looser, fluffier brush for blending out shades. Often used with a medium transition shade to ease the transition of crease shades into the skin tone.
Angled brushes: usually thin liner brushes used for eyeliner or brow product. Technically angled simply describes the cut of any brush but usually refers to the aforementioned specific types.
Straight or bent liner brushes: also used for gel eyeliner, these are very small brushes with few hairs, meant to draw lines. The ferrule comes straight (like a pencil) or bent at about a 45 degree angle.
Smudger brush: a small, straight brush, wider than it is long, meant for smudging either pre-placed liner or shadow or to apply shadow to the lashlines.
Detailer brush: a general term to describe very small brushes, frequently used to apply highlight to the inner corner and often shaped like flat shaders in miniature.
Spoolie: a spiral brush meant to comb out the brow hairs or occasionally lashes. May be used before or after product is applied.
Lash comb: the best are metal but they also comb in plastic. Like a spoolie this combs the lashes, but is firmer and more defined so is better for eyelashes, especially after mascara.
Tweezers: obviously you will most often use these to remove hairs but tweezers are also helpful for some when applying false eyelashes, should you choose to do so.
Eyelash curlers: these come at a variety of price points and are devices intended to curl the lashes upward before applying mascara. I think they're great, they really make a difference to my eyes but you don't absolutely have to use one. They come in full lash, half lash and heated varieties.
Lip brush: a small synthetic fiber brush which is sometimes disposable, to apply lipstick to the lips without the bullet. Used with lipsticks in potted form or to create cleaner edges than a bullet can provide. Usually shaped in a flat, tapered form with a slightly rounded tip.
Q-tip/Cotton Bud: can serve several purposes including wiping off small mistakes or smudges either alone or dipped in makeup remover; smudging out product in the place of a smudger brush (i.e. if you don't have one or don't have a clean one); application of product to the inner corner of the eye.
I hope that gives more than a vague explanation of a lot of the available brushes out there. Feel free to google the names to get a better visual. Apologies if I've forgotten or poorly explained anything, I welcome any comments to clear any ambiguity up. Have a lovely day,
Cassy
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