beginner's guide to make up brushes

Every artist needs the right tools to work with. Consider your face your canvas and so far you have drawn on it with your fingers or whatever came in your powder container. It might be time for an upgrade!

Before I go into detail: This is a guide not a shopping list. You don’t need the exact brushes I am using. But there may be one or two handy tips in here for you to consider if you are thinking about buying a brush in the future. If you insist on a recommendation I would go for Zoeva (also at Douglas) or Real Techniques (also at Douglas and Bipa). They are affordable and very good quality.

Quick tip: If you use a brush for a certain purpose that brush should be used for that one purpose only. You might technically be able to use for example a large angled brush for contour and blush, BUT do you really want to mix those two very different colors together? Nope! So unless you wash your brush - which you should do regularly - it has one job and - again - one job only! Exception: eye shadow brushes - just wipe them clean, as long as you stay within the same color range.

Face essentials

foundation brush/sponge

It is a personal preference which one you like better. Either way you should apply your foundation with a tool because a) it’s more sanitary than touching your face with your fingers, b) it usually blends the product better into your skin and c) it will look more flawless and less streaky.

Personally I don’t think everyone should wear foundation. But if you feel like you need or want to, please use a brush or sponge. I prefer a (damp!) sponge because I feel like it makes my foundation look a lot more flawless and skin-like.

large powder brush

This is a no-brainer and also an absolute necessity. Any type of powder product can be applied with this brush.  Rule of thumb for beginners is the bigger the brush the more skin toned the powder should be. Meaning a huge brush comes in handy when you use a face powder, powder foundation, finishing powder, etc. 

Quick tip: apply all liquid products first and then all powder products.

where to get: Zoeva 102, Sigma F30, Real Techniques sponge (for my Austrian girls also here)

blush brush / angled face brush

If you want to add life to your face this is your new best friend. You can use either brush for putting blush on the apples of your cheeks. I personally use the Real Techniques blush brush for precise powder application in my T-zone. So you see just because a brush has a certain purpose it doesn't necessarily mean you have to stick to it.

where to get: Zoeva 127, Real Techniques blush brush (for my Austrian girls here)

Eye essentials

eyes hadow brush (all over lid)

Tapered but soft bristles are perfect for precise shadow application on your lid. If you use multiple eye shadows you can just wipe it clean as long as you a) stay within the same color range and b) go from light to dark.

blending brush 
Key to a perfect eye look is a good blending brush. It should become your best friend. Take your time and blend as much as you possibly can.
By the way "blending" means to go back and forth with your brush over the eye shadow until there are no harsh lines left. It should look as if the colors seamlessly blend into each other. On the outside it should look like your eye shadow softly vanishes.

smudge brush

A soft bristled smudge brush helps you to – as the name already says – smudge out any lines. It is like a tiny blending brush but more precise. So instead of blending large areas of eye shadow you would smudge out a line to make it look softer.

where to get: The Body Shop eye shadow brush, Sigma E25, Zoeva 230

angled brush

If you feel like your brows could be improved you might consider filling them in a little. A good brow brush should be angled so you can achieve a precise line as well as a thin tail at the end. Your brows frame your face so you might want to give them at least a little attention. You can have the most amazing eye look and it will look unfinished without the brows to match.
You can also use an angled brush for lining your upper and under eye for a smoky liner look. Key to that look is no harsh lines where the smudge brush comes in handy.
 

spoolie

A spoolie will help you to make your brows look natural. It helps you soften the look after you have applied your brow powder, pencil or pomade. For spoolies there are no rules. You can buy one, often there is one on the end of a brow pencil, or just use an old cleaned mascara wand. Whatever feels good and not too harsh will do the job.
If you are blessed with good brows a clear or tinted brow gel to keep them in place might be all you need.

where to get: MAC 266

What you don’t need as a beginner

• concealer brush – just use your (clean!) fingers or a sponge
• eyeliner brush – beginners should stay away from winged eyeliner
• lip brush – if you need to be that precise, use a lip liner
• high light brush – you are a beginner, you shouldn’t high light unless the look you are going for is called “sparkling unicorn” ;)
• bronzing brush –  if you want to try bronzing you should wait for summer because then you are already tanned and mistakes will not be as visible or just try a powder that is just one or two shades darker than your normal skin tone. The Body Shop has great light bronzing powders
• contouring brush –  the Kardashian contouring look is definitely not for beginners