Beauty School: Brush Guide
There is a bevy of brushes out there, but do you really need seven different eye shadow brushes? Unless you’re Pat McGrath backstage at Paris Fashion Week, probably not. Quality makeup brushes can be expensive so it’s important to know what you need. One distinction to note is the difference between synthetic and natural bristles. Natural bristles hold and distribute pigment evenly. Opt for natural bristle brushes when applying anything powdered. Liquids will soak into natural bristles and cause them to clog or degrade. So reach for synthetic bristles when applying foundation or any cream formulas.
Now that you’ve mastered the makeup brush basics, I recommend you stock your beauty arsenal with these essential brushes…
Foundation: A synthetic brush. Can also be used for applying cream blush.
Concealer: A narrow, synthetic brush with a slightly tapered edge.
Powder: A big, soft natural-fiber brush.
Contouring: A soft brush with a flat, angled edge. Also used for bronzing.
Blush: A soft medium-full round brush. Natural fiber is best.
Eye Shadow: A tapered, flat brush that is good for blending.
Fan Brush: A light brush that is great for highlighter. It’s also good for brushing away loose eye shadow.
Eyeliner: A narrow, angled brush for applying gel liner or shadow as liner.
Eyelash and Brow Comb: The side with the small, plastic comb is used for removing mascara clumps from lashes. The bristled side is for grooming eyebrows.
Eyebrow: A firm, angled brush used for filling in eyebrows with brow powder. Go for something with coarser bristles.
And never underestimate the power of the original makeup brush—your fingertip. Because of the heat of your skin, fingers make unbeatable blending tools. For covering under eye circles, I like to use a clean ring finger (the ring finger applies the least amount of pressure) to blend away the edges of the concealer.
For more details on how to use these brushes along with some of my favorite beauty tutorials, be sure to pick up a copy of my book, Lauren Conrad Beauty!
What brushes are indispensible to your beauty routine? Also, which of my beauty looks do you want to learn how to recreate most?
XO Lauren
Photo: Lauren Conrad Beauty
39 comments
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oh wow i feel like im not as obsessed with makeup as i thought i was! I only own about 3 brushes here! -
STIPPLING BRUSH is an awesome brush as well for blending in foundation, by patting or circular motion rub in. -
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Thanks for sharing these useful tips Lauren!
I use natural brushes for powder and blush from ecotools!
xo Lily
http://alltimeclas-chic.blogspot.gr/ -
Great post! I like to use my fingers for foundation and for the rest of my make-up routine I have a few brushes I like to use every day. My favourite brand for brushes is MAC. :) I haven't really tried anything else yet, but I've heard great things about Sigma as well... Definitely willing to try some new brands!
http://mystylediaryblogspot.blogspot.com/ -
Thanks so much for the post! I'm in the market for new brushes--I like real techniques brushes. I'd love to learn what makeup is good for high schoolers. What's too much/what's appropriate, brands that are good, maybe a tutorial? Any of those would be nice!! -
This was so helpful thank you very much!
I can't wait to start experimenting with all my knew make up brushes now I know what they're all for! -
Thank you so much for posting this!! It was so helpful! Now, I can't wait to purchase my new brushes! :) -
You should do a visual on those fancy airbrush (mineral?) brushes next. Those confuse me. :D
-Franci
www.thefashionpalate.com -
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I only use a couple of brushes in my morning routine. A foundation brush, eyebrow brush, and an eye shadow brush. I use a tooth brush to comb my brows, it works great! Also, I use a makeup sponge for applying liquid concealer and my cream blush, which are fantastic as well. The look I would love to re-create is the 1950's beauty look. -
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