Posted on April 02 2016
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Have you ever wondered HOW to choose a makeup brush? Do the words contouring, blending & shading confuse you? Are you looking to choose a brush that will last you for years and years? If you answered yes to any of these questions, keep reading to find out the secret to choosing the right makeup brush!
You probably heard this before: having the right makeup products and tools will contribute to the way you feel about your makeup routine. In fact, having the right makeup brushes is an essential component to your makeup routine. Oftentimes, it’s the brush that makes the difference and not the makeup product.
Makeup brushes come in all shapes, sizes, colors, textures and prices. And there’s reason for this. We promise. There are some fundamental elements that apply to almost all makeup brushes. Features like the shape of the bristles, the length, diameter and density of the bristles play a role in how the makeup product is distributed on your face and whether or not it meets your desired objectives.
Here are the 5 C’s to look out for in a makeup brush:
1. Class:
In this case, quality matters. The more classy the brush, the better. Brushes made of the finest, high class, quality materials will last longer and result in that flawless makeup look you are seeking. When determining the quality of your brush, look for soft bristles that don’t feel frayed or ragged. The bristles should be held in place by a secure, metal ferule to prevent shedding.
High Quality vs. Low Quality:
High Class:
Makes it easy to blend different shades and pigments
Creates a more natural, even and
flawless look
Long Lasting
Lower Class:
Difficult to apply makeup and often results in an uneven look.
Bristles are rough and can cause skin irritation
Brush bristles tend to shed
2. Characteristics
Brush head shape: Square, Dome, Tapered, Angled, Slant, Tip
Brush head size: Fine (extra small), Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large
Bristle material: Synthetic Hairs or Natural Hairs
Bristle texture: Fine, Soft, Coarse
Bristles density: Firm, Stiff, Dense
Handle length: Long, Short, Mini (travel size)
Ferrule: Aluminum, Brass or other metal
Goto bodesi' to know more.
3. Cost:
You may have heard that ‘expensive’ is equivalent to ‘best choice’, but, remember that cost doesn’t always indicate quality. There are plenty of options available out there. Instead of relying on the price tag, carefully inspect the brushes for the features mentioned above.
4. Care:
Depending on what type of bristle you choose, caring for your brushes is essential! The more you care about caring…the longer the brush will last you. Here’s our own recommendation:
How to care for your synthetic brushes: Simply wash bristles in mild liquid soap, rinse well, lay them flat, in a horizontal direction on a dry towel, then air-dry, allowing extra time to dry. It is important to note that the handles should never be submerged in water. This will cause damage over time to the bristles and oftentimes lead to shedding.
We recommend cleaning your brushes once per week for those who apply makeup once a day.
5. Cruelty-free
With high quality synthetic materials available on the market these days, there is no need to use animal hairs. A drawback for some people with natural bristles is sensitivity to animal hair. Allergies associated with animal products can be caused by the brushes and not the makeup.
It's hard to know where to start when it comes to buying beauty products, especially makeup brushes. It may not seem like much, but this does involve a fair bit of know-how. From copious amounts of foundation brushes at your favourite luxe beauty counter to an endless number of brush sets in the market, it's a tough job to pick what will work for your budget and beauty routine. Is it really necessary to buy luxury brushes, or can you get away with reasonably priced ones that do the job? We talked all things makeup brushes with two Bollywood makeup artists to get their professional advice. Think of this as your go-to guide to shopping for the best brushes. Whether you want a budget-friendly starter kit or want to amp up your beauty bag with a splurge-worthy blending brush, we've got you covered.
Known for working with actors like Bipasha Basu and Esha Gupta, Harry Rajput knows brushes like the back of his hand. He gives us his best secrets to finding a great quality makeup brush. “There are few ways to test a high quality makeup brush. First, rub it against your skin. The bristles should feel soft, not rough or scratchy,” says Rajput. The bristles play an important part in the lifespan of a brush. “Check the strength of the bristles by rubbing the brush against your hand and see if any fibres fall out,” he advises. A brush can last a long time if it's of solid quality and taken care of properly. “If any bristles do fall out, then steer clear of buying it,” Rajput adds.
Mumbai-based celebrity makeup artist Bianca Louzado states that the easiest way to choose is by following a simple guide. “Use a brush that contains real hair for dry products—think powder, eyeshadow and blush, and synthetic for wet products like foundation or concealer.” Real hair is known to soak up wet formulas, which will waste the product in the end. “A dual-fibre brush is great because it can be used for a wet, cream or dry product,” Louzado adds. Natural haired brushes tend to be more expensive than synthetic brushes, so it's something to keep in mind when shopping for your starter kit.
“To start your brush collection, I would recommend you go for Real Techniques, both the brush set and eye brush set, which includes five different brushes,” recommends Rajput. One of the first brushes you should purchase is a foundation brush. “The best designed foundation brushes have a flat top. It blends the product well and leaves the skin smooth and even,” he adds. His favourite flat top foundation brushes are Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and BareMinerals Beautiful Finish Brush. If you are opting for a different brand and brush, Rajput recommends applying a sample of foundation to your skin to check the quality and blending ability of the brush.
Louzado adds that her go-to reasonably priced brushes are Real Techniques and ELF Cosmetics. For a set that is moderately priced, she loves Sigma. All of these are perfect for a beginner who's not looking to spend too much on their first brushes, but still want great quality. She also recommends investing in a beauty blender as well for a starter kit. It's a multi-purpose blending sponge that expands when wet. Although it's meant to be used wet, you can use it for many products. Use it to bake underneath the eyes with a dry powder and then use it for foundation, concealer and any cream-based products when wet.
If you have an urge to splurge and are travelling to Japan, Louzado has a recommendation, “my favourite brushes and ones that I highly recommend indulging on are Hakuhodo make-up brushes. They are steep, but worth it.” They have a great selection, are made of natural hair and are hand assembled in Japan. Need options closer home? Read on.
Rajput loves the M.A.C Cosmetics foundation brushes. “M.A.C is my favourite brand for brushes, especially the smaller foundation brushes.” He also uses and recommends Sephora Collections' foundation brushes.
For a high-end eyeliner brush, Rajput recommends M.A.C's 209 Eye Liner Brush, which is perfect for lining the eyes because of it's fine-tipped firm end which gives precision. “For blending eyeshadows, I always go for Sigma's blending brush.”
For blending under-eye makeup, Rajput loves using the Sephora Collection PRO Blending Brush #27.
One of Louzado's favourite splurges for a contouring brush is the Ita Kabuki Brush by NARS. “It's made out of silky soft goat hair and it's ideal for targeted contouring. It defines and sculpts the cheekbones, jawline and nose perfectly,” says Louzado. “It doesn't create the plastic mannequin-like contour as is popular on Instagram, but creates an illusion of a shadow, which is the goal of a natural look,” she adds.
Rajput suggests using the Kryolan Ultra Powder Brush 9722 for powder-based products. The bristles are very light and it gives you an even finish on your face.
As far as eyebrows go, Louzado loves the Smith Cosmetics USA 211 Brow Brush. “The brushes are dual-fibre and can be used with cream-based or powder-based products”, she says.
Are you interested in learning more about Personalized Makeup Brushes? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!