Makeup Brush Essentials

A makeup brush makes the difference between a smooth, blending makeup application and an uneven, streaked application. I own 35 brushes which is a huge cut from the previous 53 brushes I owned. I cut them down last month, first by ones I could tell were obviously old and falling apart. Then, I put a brush into a separate container every time I used it for an entire month. Any brush I did not lay my hands on once during that month was thrown out. But of these brushes, only about 6 of them are what I consider essential and are definitely must haves, in my opinion.

These brushes have a specific part in applying different makeup easier with a better end result. All of my favorite brushes are by e.l.f. (eyes, lips, face) which are found at Target. To start with they are SUPER affordable, $1-$3 (a few are $5-7) but the ones I use are in the first range. Besides cost, they are really good quality brushes. This isn't a get what you pay for scenario. I think the quality far surpasses the cost. Why buy the high priced tools, if the affordable ones work great? (And I was NOT paid to say these things...I am a mother of three and am constantly looking for the best quality for the lowest price!)

• Stippling Brush: This brush is used to apply foundation (wet, dry or creamy). It has two layers of bristles, basically a top and bottom layer. Many people use the brush for the entire foundation application but I use it to just add the foundation to my face. When I use this brush, I dip it into the foundation and with the bristles point directly to my face, I tap the brush all over. This results in 'splatters' of foundation on the face. You can use it throughout the whole foundation process by creating the 'splatter' effect, then using the brush to blend in the foundation using gentle strokes in an outward (toward the hairline) motion.  My thoughts: With very thick or creamy foundations, I use the MAC 187 because it is firmer and larger which works best when smoothing out thicker foundations. But with my normal liquid foundation, Revlon Age-Defying (yes, I am getting old LOL), I use the e.l.f. Total Face Brush for all over coverage and use the e.l.f. Foundation Brush for my eye, nose crease and problem areas that may need a little more direct coverage.
• Complexion Brush: This is a wide, soft bristled brush perfect for apply all over powder. This brush is also called a total face brush that I mentioned above. It is just a basic, large powder brush. My Thoughts: I use the e.l.f. Studio Collection Complexion brush because it is super soft and it really seems to hold the powder and apply it without coating my hair and clothes.
• Concealer Brush: This brush is a really short, closely bristled brush that comes with a slightly rounded end. This type of brush applies concealer to small areas very easily.My Thoughts: I do use the e.l.f. Concealer Brush occasionally, mainly if I have a breakout I want to hide and it does a really good job of focusing the concealer to that specific area but it can take several coats because the brush size doesn't hold much concealer. Normally for the under eye area, I use the e.l.f. professional Foundation Brush because it covers a larger area without more than one layer of concealer. To be completely honest, I use the e.l.f. Concealer Brush for applying gel eyeliner to my top lash line. It works really well for drawing the lines.
• Crease Brush:  A soft, rounded brush, this is a definite essential in applying eyeshadow because it is not only gets the eyeshadow directly into the crease but is perfect for blending the shadow colors to avoid lines. It is absolutely my favorite brush because eyeshadow application is my speciality area. My Thoughts: Yep, I use an  e.l.f. brush here, too. The Studio Crease Brush to be matter of fact and I LOVE it! It is super soft and blends so easily and quick. Many of the brushes I have are either harsh on the soft eyelid area or take forever to blend!
• Basic Eyeshadow Brush: This one is available in so many different forms it is all just a matter of personal preference. The shorter, slightly wider brushes work best for applying color to specific areas of the brush with fewer applications while the longer, slightly thinner brushes work well for covering larger areas. The slightly slanted brushes are for defining specific areas of the eye with color and work great for the corners of the eye, too. My Thoughts: Once again, I use  e.l.f. tools, the professional Eye Shadow Brush and the Defining Eye Brush. This Eye Shadow Brush is a shorter,wider applicator that allows me to add colors to the specific parts of the eye. I use the Defining Eye Brush to add highlight to my inner corner to open up the eye and I use it to add go back and add color to areas of the eye that may have been blended too much or need just a little deeper color for a full effect. Both brushes are super soft which I find is important because the entire eye area is damaged so easily.
• Bronzing/Blush Brush: This one is an essential to some and not to others. I use this kind of brush a lot so it is an essential to me. The face doesn't look right if the eyes and lips are done, the face is smooth with foundation and powder but the cheeks are colorless. Even though foundation/concealer/powder are great at giving a smooth, even complexion and hiding any skin flaws, they can give the skin a washed out look without a little color. My Thoughts: I use the e.l.f. (shocker huh?) professional Bronzing Brush mainly because I like the way it only holds small amounts of bronzer/blush at a time. It has a slant which is perfect for contouring the cheeks.