Five Essential Make-up Brushes

Women spend millions of dollars on cosmetics every year, but it doesn't matter of you buy your make-up at the Dollar Tree or Bloomingdales, if you don't use the right brushes you won't look your best. There are an endless number of specialized brushes available. If you tried to buy them all, you would run out f money and places to store them. Fortunately, you don't need a whole collection of brushes. With just five essential make-up brushes you can create a flawless look.

Flat Head Concealer Brush- The first step to a flawless complexion is the application of concealer. A concealer brush allows for precise, controlled application and easy blending. It doesn't matter if you use liquid, cream or powder, a small concealer brush will make covering up tiny imperfections a snap. One to Try: Bare Escentuals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush, $20

Eyeliner Brush- Liquid eyeliner often dries out before you use half of the tube and it comes in a limited number of colors. Pencil liner comes in more colors, but it can smudge and wear off before the end of the day. Your favorite eyeshadow can be used as an eyeliner by applying it with a thin eyeliner brush. You can vary the effect by using the brush wet or dry, and the colors are limited only by the eye shadows you have in your collection. With an eyeliner brush, you can mix and match colors to create innovative effects without buying eyeliner that will spoil before you use it. One to Try: Sephora Long Handle Sable Eyeliner Brush, $8

Foundation Brush- Make-up artists use a foundation brush to achieve a flawless finish. Commonly associated with powdered mineral make-up, this large, flat headed brush works equally as well with liquid or cream foundation. It makes blending easy and makes pores disappear. If you use a brush for a liquid or cream foundation remember to wash your brush with warm soapy water frequently. One to Try: Everyday Minerals Foundation Brush, $10

Kabuki Brush- This all around brush is excellent for applying bronzers, powders and blushes. Look for a Kabuki brush with thick, heavily packed natural hair bristles. They deliver a smooth, even coat of powder or mineral make-up with a few strokes. This is perfect for the girl on the go and comes in full-sized and "baby" sized editions. Baby brushes often come with longer handles for more precise application. One to Try: Smashbox Face and Body Brush, $56

Large Eyeshadow Brush- Sometimes, a simple wash of color over the entire eyelid is more effective (and subtle) than heavily stylized eye makeup. To get a clean, natural look, a large rounded eyeshadow brush is a must. A good brush will evenly apply color from lash base to brow bone in a few strokes. It will also keep powdered shadows on the eyelid instead of on the cheeks or nose. One to Try: Sephora Large Eyeshadow Brush, $14