Must-Have Makeup Brushes

You need the right makeup tools to get your face done right. Just like quality paint brushes make painting the walls of your house faster and better, so do quality face brushes. I've tried so many different face brushes over the past few years, and I've come up with a few that I love the best. Good quality brushes will last, hold up to washing, and will help you look great no matter how you do your makeup. Here are a few of my favorites.

Blush brush. My favorite blush brush is an old Mary Kay brush. It is a round brush, with short, stiff, synthetic bristles. It is perfect for applying a pop of color to the apples of your cheeks. Swirl the brush in the color, tap off the excess, then make tiny circles on the apples of cheeks. Try smiling at yourself when you apply your brush for the best placement, and make sure it is well blended.

Powder brush. A (loose) powder brush is typically a big, soft fluffy brush with long bristles. Gently swipe the brush in the loose powder, and tap away the excess. Lightly brush the powder across your T-zone. Avoid putting loose powder around your eyes or lips, since it can settle in fine lines and make them appear more prominent.

Bronzer/contour brush. A bronzer or counter brush is a slightly stiff brush with an angled tip. Use it to apply bronzer to your cheeks and nose for a sunny look, or use it to apply a slightly dark powder to the hollows of your cheeks for a slimmer face.

Foundation brush. This brush should always be synthetic. It must be cleaned well every time you use it. Dip it into your foundation, and gently brush on for a velvety look with a lot of heavy coverage. This is great for pictures, on stage, or low light situations. Make sure to blend the foundation well so you don't get a cakey appearance.

Kabuki brush. My absolutely most favorite face brush is an ELF brand, large kabuki brush. It has a short handle, with tons of long, super soft bristles. Dip it into the finest milled powder - such as mineral powder foundation - for a smooth application.

Stipple brush. This is a really cool brush. It is a combination of long synthetic fibers amidst shorter, sable fibers. It's great for getting a sheer wash of a bright color. The long synthetic fibers pick up just enough color, while the shorter, sable fibers help it to blend. Sonia Kashuk makes a great stipple brush, as does ELF.

Fan brush. A fan brush is shaped like a fan and is typically synthetic. It's great for light applications of blush or special effects, such as highlighter or shimmer.

Concealer brush. This brush is tiny and synthetic. It has stiff bristles to help you apply concealer to tiny areas and blend well. Make sure you clean it after each use to prevent the spread of bacteria, especially if you use it on blemishes.

Don't be afraid to invest in good quality makeup brushes. They will last a very long time and deliver great results. Keep your brushes clean for the best makeup application.

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