The first thing you should know about buying makeup brushes is this: We’re all in it with you. ‘It’ being the universally torturous process of choosing brushes, of course. In fact, makeup companies seem to have made it their lifelong mission to terrify young women around the world on their first foray into makeup, with endless variations of what’s sometimes essentially one brush. Well fret not, we’ve put together what’s we’d like to think is the most definitive list of all possible brushes out there in the beauty world – weird variations excluded – for your future shopping ease. Because something as fun as makeup should never have to be daunting.
FACE
Powder brush
For: Sweeping setting or finishing powder all over your face to set your makeup. Dusting translucent powder also helps to reduce shine and oily skin. If there’s one brush to start out with, it’s this.
Try: Real Techniques, $23, available at Sephora
Concealer brush
For: Patting concealer under your eyes or in hard-to-reach areas like around your nose. The flat, tapered bristles help you get the concealer exactly where you want it.
Try: Sigma Beauty, $20, available at Sephora
Foundation brush
For: Applying liquid or cream foundation.
Try: 3CE, $28, available at Sephora
Stippling brush
For: Applying foundation to your face through gentle swirling motions (ie. stippling) for a lighter, airbrushed effect. No streaks!
Try: Zoeva, $27.99, available at Sephora
Blush brush
For: General application of blush in the apples of your cheeks; no precise sculpting here.
Try: Sigma Beauty, $42.30, available at Sephora
Angled face brush
For: Applying contour or blush to your face, specifically for creating a more sculpted look in the hollows of your cheeks.
Try: Marc Jacobs Beauty, $69, available at Sephora
Kabuki brush
For: Applying loose powder, powder foundation, and bronzer (along the temples, hairline, cheekbones, and jawline).
Try: Tarte, $43, available at Sephora
Fan brush
For: Applying highlighter, (occasionally) blush, and cleaning up excess powder/fall-out.
Try: EcoTools, $19.90, available at Guardian
EYES
Eyeshadow brush
For: General application of eyeshadow as a base on your lids. The most basic of eye brushes, the tapered bristles in an eyeshadow brush help to pat on the shadows precisely.
Try: NYX, $18, available at Sephora
Eye blending brush
For: Blending eyeshadows and defining your crease; a must-have for those who like to experiment with more/darker colours that require blending to look natural. Beware – also often called a ‘Crease brush’; but you really don’t need more than two.
Try: THEBALM (double-ended), $30.18, available at Sephora
Smudge brush
For: Smokey eyes and softening harsh pencil liner. Use the smudge brush to gently swipe your kohl/pencil liner for a more natural smokey eye.
Try: Sephora Collection, $24, available at Sephora
Angled eye brush
For: Applying eyeliner using gel liner or eyeshadow. Precision is key here.
Try: NYX, $18, available at Sephora
Brow brush and comb
For: Brushing and perfecting your brows; the comb is used to de-clump your lashes after applying mascara.
Try: Alima Pure, $29, available at Sephora
Angled brow brush
For: Applying brow pomade or powder. The angled shape is tailored to fit the natural contours of your eyebrows.
Try: Tarte, $36, available at Sephora
LIPS
Lip brush
For: Applying regular or liquid lipstick precisely to your lips, shaping and sculpting your lips to perfection in the process. That’s how YouTuber beauty gurus get their lips so on point.
Try: EcoTools, $15.90, available at Guardian
