FOUNDATION BRUSH Designed to achieve a smooth and flawless finish, the bristles are tightly packed with a tapered tip for fluid application. Dampen the brush first in warm water and firmly squeeze the excess into a towel or tissue,
this will help achieve a more even distribution. You
can also blend any brush strokes as you go with a
damp natural or wedge sponge.
CONCEALER/CAMOUFLAGE BRUSH
A soft bristled, flat brush with a wider base and a
pointed tip. Use to apply concealer under the eyes, to
spots and to camouflage problem areas such as broken
capillaries and areas of discolouration. Pictured:
Clinique Concealer Brush
DUO FIBRE BRUSH
Made from a blend of goat and synthetic fibres this
brush is ideal for buffing and blending colour. The flat,
circular, feathery head provides lightweight and
buildable coverage of liquid, cream or powder. Use to
blend cream blush onto the apples of your cheeks or
for a light dusting of shimmer powder to your cheek
and brow bones. Pictured: MAC Due Fiber Face Brush
BRONZER/POWDER BRUSH
Soft, full and rounded, this brush can be used for both
compact powder and bronzer. The bristles pick up the
perfect amount of colour and distribute flawlessly onto
the skin. Load your brush with the powder and shake
away any excess before sweeping onto the skin.
Pictured: Laura Mercier Bronzer Brush
MINERAL POWDER BRUSH
A thick bundled brush that can sometimes be used
both wet and dry. It is expertly designed to buff
mineral powder onto your skin for pure perfection.
Apply in small circular motions for a faultless finish.
Pictured: Elizabeth Arden Mineral Makeup Brush
FAN POWDER BRUSH
Created for use with loose powder, the fine fan sweeps
a light dusting of powder onto the skin for a soft,
velvety effect. This application technique avoids heavy
coverage which can highlight fine lines and
imperfections. These brushes are also used to remove
excess powder on the face, particularly after
eyeshadow application. Pictured: Benefit Fantail Brush
BLUSHER BRUSH
Made with fine, gentle fibres the blusher brush has a
rounded head which is perfect for giving a pop of
colour to the apples of your cheeks. Sweep and blend
along your cheekbone drawing the brush up into your
hairline. Pictured: MAC Blush Brush
FACE CONTOUR BRUSH
Slanted and rounded in shape, the contour brush
mimics the angles of your cheekbones. This is ideal for
highlighting and shading with bronzer or illuminating
powder. Use with cream, gel or powder to contour a
sculpted finish for a defined and dramatic makeup.
Pictured: MAC Face Contour Brush
EYE SHADOW BRUSH
Large, flat, short and brimming with bristles for
excellent coverage. The soft bristles have a bevelled
edge for a smooth application without ‘dragging’ the
eyelid. Use to apply all over colour. Pictured: Bobbi
Brown Eyeshadow Brush
ANGLE EYE SHADOW BRUSH
A long, round and tapered brush perfect for shading
the eye socket. Just gently follow the natural crease of
the socket blending back and forth to build up depth of
colour. Pictured: Laura Mercier Angled Eye Colour
Brush
BLENDING EYE SHADOW BRUSH
Use this light brush to blend eye colours and to
highlight the brow bone. Pictured: Estee Lauder
Blending Shadow Brush
FINE POINT EYELINER BRUSH
The extra fine tip of this brush delivers precise
liquid and gel eyeliner application. A perfect line
can be achieved in one stroke, or use the point to
dot in between lashes for a more subtle effect.
Pictured: Laura Mercier Fine Point Eyeliner Brush
FLAT EYELINER BRUSH
Allows eyeliner to be applied deep into the lash line
for a richer and more distinct eye. Gently brush
upwards to soften and blend the line for a smokey eye.
Pictured: Benefit Hard Angle Brush
SMUDGER BRUSH
You’re most likely to find these doubled ended with an
eye pencil. The foam tip is used to soften the harsh
line of the pencil giving a smouldering finish. Larger
ones can also be used for applying eyeshadow such as
The Body Shop's Smudger Brush.
SLANTED EYEBROW DEFINER BRUSH
Used to define and fill brows for a beautifully
symmetrical appearance. The bristles are stiff and
angled for precise control. Apply powder, liquid or
cream in short strokes mimicking the hairs, fill sparse
areas, shape and elongate for a perfect brow. Pictured:
Bobbi Brown Eyebrow Brush
SPIRAL EYEBROW BRUSH
Ideal for taming unruly hairs, the stiff bristles smooth
and comb eyebrows into form. When shaping, use to
brush hairs upwards and trim the excess for neatly
groomed brows. Pictured: Tweezerman for Benefit Brow
Shaping Brush
LIP BRUSH
The sculpted tip of a lip brush is perfect for
achieving a flawless line. The bristles are short and
firm for controlled application. Pictured: Laura
Mercier Lip Colour Brush
CLEANING MAKEUP BRUSHES
Finally, don't forget your brush cleaner! You don't
want to spend a lot of money buying high quality
makeup brushes if you are not going to be able to look
after them by keeping them clean and conditioned.
Foundation, eyeshadow and lip brushes should be
cleansed after each use to stop bacteria spreading and
therefore keep your skin clear; whilst other types of
brushes such as powder and blusher can be cleansed
once a week. Most brands that sell brushes also have a
brush cleanser.
COMPLETE MAKEUP BRUSH SET
Need a complete makeup brush starter set including all
brushes mentioned in this article
perfect make-up on. And we’ve all wondered how she
