If you’re new or still learning the beautiful, versatile world of makeup, you’re probably wondering what the hec all these brushes are for? Why are there so many? What do they all do? Don’t worry friend! I too was in that boat at one point in my makeup loving life. But fear not, I’m spreading the knowledge and giving you a detailed description of the typical makeup brushes that may appear in your makeup kit below!
1. Kabuki brush
This sounds like the name of a pet you had growing up but, believe it or not, it’s not. This stumpy little guy has a full body of bristles and is best used to apply mineral powder. Its stumpy handle gives you better control for easier blending. Also, it’s little body makes it the perfect brush to travel with!
2. Powder/Blush Brush
It’s really all in the name for this one! Like the Kabuki, this too has a full body of bristles which is best for applying powder foundation, loose setting powder, or blush. Although this brush is typically full-bodied, you may find ones ranging in width and length. I like a good fluffy one for applying my setting powder however, the smaller versions are great for getting to the contours of your face and under-eye area.
3. Flat Top Stippling Brush
I love this kind of brush for apply creamy products (i.e. liquid foundation) as it has a thick, dense body making it easy to withstand the liquid in my product (while not soaking it all up) and blend throughout my face. I find this type of brush blends product into my face beautifully either directly from the brush or if I’ve applied my product directly to my face first. It helps to fill in all those unsightly large pores!
4. Angled Contour Brush
Initially, this looks like such an oddly shaped brush that’s been half chopped off but, it’s all about that angle! The angle on this brush is great for hugging your cheekbones making it best for contouring and blending (Hello high cheekbones!). I use this guy on the daily for applying my bronzing/contouring powder and blush.
5. Large Fan Brush
This one is so versatile! I used to use it to blend out my bronzing powder but, you can also use it to APPLY your contour or bronzing powder to create more of a diffused affect. I would say the fuller versions of this brush are best for that technique (and so quick too!) I typically use the thinner version of this brush to apply highlighter. The bristles are so light and easily spread the product so nicely to give me that perfect glow! You can also use this to wipe away any excess powder.
6. Liquid Foundation Brush
This is an alternative to the stippling brush mentioned above. This is great for APPLYING your liquid foundation, but I find it’s not the best for BLENDING your foundation as it’s a flatter-style brush. Try both and see which one you like the best!
7. Concealer Brush
The flat bristles on this brush make it great for concealing those concentrated areas on our face like under the eyes or within the inner corners of the eyes (especially if you experience some under-eye darkness like me!). Best paired with a creamy concealer – like the kinds that come in a pot.
8. Medium Blender Brush
I use this type of blending brush the most! It has a soft, fluffy head making it wonderful for blending your eyeshadows. Use this guy to blend your transition shade to your eyelid shade seamlessly.
9. Smudging Brush
This little guy is GREAT for blending out your eyeliner or eye shadow. It’s little body is create for those precise eye looks you’re trying to go for and especially great for creating a smoky eye look. Instead of an over-powering shadow application, this gives you a more even, diffused look.
10. Crease Shader Brush
When you want to up the drama in your eye look, a great way to do so is to gradually build on the eye shadow in your crease area to intensify the overall look. This brush is great for that as it gets right in the crease, making it easy for you to build and blend your eyeshadow color throughout.
11. Large Domed Shader Brush
I would call this your typical go-to eyeshadow brush. Its body is great for applying shadow all over the lid, specifically, and works well with both powder and moisturizer-based products. So go ahead and grab your favorite matte, shimmery, or full on glitter shadows for this brush!
12. Precision Concealer Brush
This cute one is mainly used for applying concealer to small, targeted areas. I’ve become friends with this one as it helps me hide the small red enemies that tend to appear on my face from time to time (hate them!). If you do the same, remember to use gentle tapping motions when concealing those little red bumps – gentle is key as you don’t want to irritate them any further!
13. Rounded Liner Brush
Perfect if you’re trying to go for a cut crease look or if you’re working with cream-based eyeliner products. Its small body can make it easier for you to achieve a specific, defined look.
14. Angled Liner Brush
I LOVE this brush when using eyeshadow as an eyeliner to line either my upper or lower lash line. This is a great alternative to an intense winged liner look. It makes for a softer and more natural finish. I also used to use this brush to fill in my brows back in the day before I discovered Anastasia!
15. Lip Liner Brush
I usually like using a lip liner brush if I’m mixing a few lip shades to achieve my own color but this is also great for general lip color application instead of applying your lipstick straight from the bullet or gloss tube. Great to just line your lips with as well. Leaves your lips looking more natural!
The best way to really know which brushes are best for you and your makeup style is to go out there and have some fun experimenting with these beauties! You may find you love certain ones over the other or barely use brushes at all but, you never know until you try and see what works best for your face and for the looks you love to create!
Is there a brush you want me to talk about that I missed here? Let me know in the comments section below!
Adapted from Vanity Planet
