BY JULIA BENITO
No, you don’t have to catch them all.
When many beauty girls begin their makeup journeys, it’s understandable — nay, expected — for there to be loads of questions on what you actually need. Case and point: makeup brushes. What’s the difference between them? What are the best ones to start off with? Do I really need as many brushes as makeup influencers and YouTubers have?
The truth is, while it may sound like a cop-out answer to you, is that it really depends on what you like and how you do your makeup. Some brushes, while named for a specific purpose, can actually do well with other products. Some even prefer to ditch the brushes and use their fingers — totally okay if that’s what works best for you. After all, there are no definitive rules when it comes to makeup.
However, if you need a little guidance on what to look for as a beauty beginner, you can read on to see our top recommendations for what you would absolutely need in your makeup kits.
A Beauty Sponge
Beauty sponges have incredibly diverse uses. From blending in your foundation to concealer to cream blush or contour, beauty sponges are definitely at the top of our must-have list. While not a brush per se, it does do a lot of the things traditional brushes can do just as well.
These come in a variety of different sizes, shapes, and cuts to align with your needs, but if you want to start off with something simple, you can opt for the traditional tear-drop shape. With this build, the narrower end can reach into tighter spaces, such as your inner corner and undereye, to help you blend in products like concealer or color correctors. Its wide sides allow you to apply, bounce, and blend products that typically require more facial real estate like foundations or BB creams. The rounded bottom can help you blend in a more targeted area.
Unlike some makeup brushes, however, beauty sponges are known to absorb more of your product, since it’s main claim to fame is bringing you a more natural complexion. While that isn’t saying that a sponge cannot be used to create full coverage necessarily, it may be something you would want to consider if you like being frugal about how much product you’re using at a time.
Base Brushes
If you’re more of a brush type of gal when it comes to applying your base makeup, then we’d highly recommend an angled foundation brush. With dense bristles to help spread your product as far as it can go and an angled shape that allows you to easily reach the different contours of your face, this brush will help you apply liquid, cream, or powder foundation without it getting all up on your fingers.
Another great brush to have on hand, especially if you want to get a softer, more air-brushed effect, would be a stippling brush. In essence, these brushes have two types of fibers in differing lengths, having the base fibers being denser while the top fibers being finer. This allows you to buff product into the skin for a smoother, air-brushed finish. Remember: use a light hand when buffing with a stippling brush! These can be used to blend in foundation, tinted moisturizer, and even cream blushes and highlighters (depending on the size).
You would also want something to blend in your concealers. While many simply use their fingers to pack the product on, a concealer brush can help you be more accurate and precise when covering imperfections.
Powder Brushes
Though kabuki brushes are generally known for powder application, some may still love them for applying medium-to-full coverage foundations or other cream formulas. However, where it truly shines is in its application of ultra-fine powders or mineral foundations, as its dense, firm bristles can easily pick up the product, distribute it evenly onto the face, and buff the product seamlessly into the skin. Its larger surface area also means it can get more done in less time. You can use the kabuki brush for loose powder, foundation, face powder, blush, and bronzer.
Sculpting Brushes
No one wants to leave the house looking like a ghost. A blush brush is essential to any makeup kit, as it helps you bring back the warmth to your face. Some also use a blush brush for bronzer or contour, adding more depth to where shadows are typically found on the face. With blush brushes, it’s important to find brushes with quality bristles to ensure an even distribution of color. While these are typically rounded, you can also find blush brushes in angular shapes to apply color in a more focused area.
While blush brushes can be used for contour, as mentioned above, it’s best to have a separate contour brush, as dipping into different products using the same brush may mess up the color you were going for. Additionally, if you choose to use cream products over powder products, it may be best to look into brushes that are denser — as typical blush brushes are quite loose — to help you really smooth the product out into a lovely flush of color.
Another great addition to your vanities would be a fan brush. As its name suggests, these brushes have feathery light bristles that are fanned out, making the application of highlighters or even bronzers softer and more diffused. These brushes can also be used to sweep away any fall out from your eyeshadow or excess setting powder.
Eye & Brow Makeup Brushes
Of course, we can’t forget the eyes! For your eyeshadow, it’s good to have a variety of makeup brushes. For example, you’d want a flat eyeshadow brush to help pack on the pigment for a concentrated color payoff, while an eyeshadow crease brush would help you blend the pigment out to remove harsh lines and achieve a gorgeous, smokey effect.
While eyebrow pencils and liquid eyeliners these days can usually get the job done for our daily makeup looks on their own, you can also include small, angled brushes if you’re feeling like going the extra mile. These can help you shape your brows with pomade or apply cream eyeliners to your lids.
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