If I had a magic wand… Bibbity-bobbity-bobbity-boom! And yet, when it comes to makeup, you really do have a magic wand.. Your brush! And actually not just one, but as many as you choose!
I have mentioned in a previous article, the reasons why I have such a great love for brushes and their effect. It’s no coincidence that I refer to them, constantly, as the make-up artist’s magic wand! If you’ve missed it, you can take a look here!
Clearly there is a huge variety on the market. Plenty of shapes and sizes, textures and qualities. The options are unlimited. So it is very easy and logical, when starting to equip a wine cabinet, to get confused and not know where to start. However, there are some basic brushes that are the perfect kit to start your wonderful journey into magic through creation. Let’s see them in detail!
Foundation magic
Let’s start with the key factor of a successful makeup look. The skin! For a flawless look, you should definitely have a flat foundation brush with a synthetic texture and a long kabuki brush with a natural texture in your brushbox. And if these look Chinese to you, let me explain!
Flat foundation brush is called a brush with the appearance of a spatula, thin, flat and long. By working its wide side against the skin, it helps create intense coverage at your base. Its thin finish provides greater precision of movement. This allows you to emphasize detail. You can also correct shapes, on lips or eyes, by working a little concealer into the tip.
Long kabuki brush. The kabuki brushes are round, thick brushes with a straight, sharp end. They are made to be worked vertically on the face in a tamponading motion. They make the product one with the skin, giving the skin a excellent uniformity and very natural result. You will find many kabuki with short arms, but choose one that gives you the comfort to keep your distance from the face (long).
Powder spells
And then the foundation.. The powder! Flat powder brush with a natural texture. A tufted brush, yet it keeps a flat shape on the sides. This way you can apply an airy layer of powder when you want a natural look, and on the other hand, you have the ability to work your product “build-up” by dabbing with the broad side of the brush to give coverage.
Blush sorcery
A bit of colour could never be missing from your cheekbones, and somewhere in here, I’ll talk to you about the adorable blush angled brush. A blush brush with a natural texture that has an angled finish. Whether it’s fresh, rosy cheeks or sharp angles on the face, with the angled blush brush you can reach perfection!
Eyeshadow hocus pocus
The magical triple mesh.. Flat eyeshadow brush, blending brush, pencil brush. Almost all the makeup looks you see and envy can be achieved if these three brushes are available.
Use the flat eyeshadow brush dabbed with the wide side for intense colour payoff. Do your blurs and angles with the tip of the blending brush. Work in details or the underside of the eyes with the pencil brush.
Tip : a fluffy blending eye brush is also one of the best brushes for concealer.
Eyeliner sorcery
Last but certainly very important. The rage and at the same time the love of all of us, the eyeliner. An eyeliner angled brush with synthetic hair is ideal, even in more inexperienced hands, for lines that could have been done with a razor.
And before I leave you for this week, keep in mind three important rules:
- There are no rules!
And what do I mean by that? No, I don’t eat and contradict! Makeup is painting! Surely every brush is meant for a purpose. However, never “lock” in your mind a specific use for each of them. Each artist works in a different way and different brushes suit them to achieve a result. So don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best in your own hands. And don’t get stuck on labels! Just because some brush is launched as an eyeliner brush for example, doesn’t mean it won’t make a sensational placement on a lipstick and so on.
- Long handle!
I’m going to be very strict here. The brush is not just that tuft of hair on the handle. The handle is equally important. It determines the result for accuracy. When the handle is short, the movement is made by the fingers and not the wrist. This means a heavier hand, difficulty in erasing and stamping. When the brush handle is long, the pressure on the skin changes. It’s the wrist that works, not the fingers, which is the point. You can achieve what I call “hand feathering” which, when it comes to blending perfection, is something you clearly need.
- Good quality
Shall I refer to the clichés of “what you pay for you get? The quality of the brushes is the most important piece of advice I can give you… It’s expected that something more economical will probably be a first consideration. However, low quality in your tools means the following : bad results, brushes that fade, short life span. Only by choosing professional quality tools can you get a professional result. Plus, in the long run, it practically ends up being the most economical choice, as their lifespan, with proper use, can reach up to ten years!
Abra – katabra – kaboom!
Good creations!
Myrto Departez
