BEAUTY
The Ultimate Guide To Makeup Brushes And How To
Use Them
By KELLI CATANA
Real vs Synthetic Bristles
When buying makeup brushes, there is a choice between natural or synthetic bristles, but although natural brushes may cost more, it doesn't necessarily make them better. L'Oréal Paris suggests natural hair brushes for powder products as they absorb oil and synthetic brushes for liquid and cream makeup as they’re easier to clean.
Being Creative
Mario Dedivanovic (one of Kim Kardashian's makeup artists) told Allure that despite his brushes being labeled for which products they're for, that is simply a suggestion and it’s okay to be creative. "I don't use brushes just for one thing," he commented. "I honestly do use them for lots of other things, what they're not intended for."
How To Choose
AntonyM Cosmetics says that a higher cost doesn't always equal better when it comes to the price of your makeup brush. Experts from the natural makeup company suggest inspecting your brushes for soft bristles that are held firmly in place, to prevent any shedding, and making sure the brush is the shape and size for what you need.
The Core Group
According to Nordstrom, seven core brushes are needed for any flawless makeup look: a brush for foundation, powder, blush, concealer, crease, eyebrow, and a shader brush for eyeshadow. Stylecaster also suggests a medium-sized, flat brush to apply and perfectly blend your highlighter if you're a fan of strobing.
Foundation Brush
For a powder foundation, opt for a wider brush with fluffy rather than dense bristles, but for a liquid foundation, use a narrower brush head. Apply the product to your face with your fingers first, then use your brush to blend it in, or apply the product directly using your brush, but either way, use small, circular motions.