October 29, 2023
THE BEST MAKEUP BRUSHES FOR BEGINNERS AND BEAUTY PROS ALIKE
Although there is a lot you can do with your fingertips, almost all beauty enthusiasts and makeup artists agree that brushes are a necessary tool to achieving a pro-finish, especially when it comes to applying a full face.
Makeup brushes come in a wide array of shapes and sizes, from soft and fluffy, domed or densely packed to tapered, angled, or precise. It can be hard to know where to start, so we’ve created a guide covering everything you’ve ever wanted to know about makeup brushes. From knowing what density brush plays best with powder, cream, and liquid formulas, to how to clean and maintain your brushes, everything you need to know about selecting the best makeup brush can be found here.
CHOOSING YOUR TOOLS
The first thing we look at is the shape as this determines where to use a brush and what product to use it with. You want to pick a brush that makes sense for the area you're working with.
Next is brush size. For larger areas of the face, we suggest using a larger fluffier brush. Flat or paddle-shaped brushes are the go-to choice for applying foundations and powders, whereas dome-shaped brushes offer greater versatility and are ideal for seamlessly blending products like blush or bronzer.
The bristles also play an important role in the application and end result. The softness and quality of the bristles determine how the makeup applies and whether or not it will evenly distribute the product.
The formula you're working with (cream, powder, or liquid) will also determine how dense of brush you should look for. Generally speaking, the more dense the makeup the firmer the brush, as it needs to pick up the heavier product. That being said, a denser brush will be ideal for pressed powders, whereas a less dense brush works well for loose powders or cream formulas.
BEST BRUSH FOR FOUNDATION
Few aspects of makeup application are as important as foundation. Creating a smooth, even base is essential. The best brushes for the task are often made from synthetic fibres, as they play well with cream and liquid formulas and are easy to wash.
For liquid or cream foundations, synthetic brushes with densely packed bristles are preferred. These brushes provide a smooth and even application, allowing you to blend the foundation seamlessly into the skin. For powder foundations, a large, fluffy synthetic brush is ideal for a lightweight and natural application
BEST BRUSH FOR CONCEALER
For concealer, we recommend a densely packed synthetic brush with a tapered edge tip as it works great to smooth out concealer and cover blemishes or discolouration with ease and precision. The tapered shape is perfect for getting into all the hard-to-reach places, like little under-eye crevices.
BEST BRUSH FOR BRONZER AND BLUSH
For powders, as a general rule, we suggest a medium-sized domed brush with soft bristles for a light and even application. The density will vary depending on the shape of the brush and the desired finish
Powder bronzer is best applied with a large and soft domed brush because a bigger brush gives a lighter and instantly blended application. Cream bronzer and blush are better applied with a denser synthetic brush to seamlessly blend them into the skin.
BEST BRUSH FOR EYESHADOW
As a starting point, you need two distinct eyeshadow brushes—a fluffy brush and a firm brush. The firm brushes will deposit colour and fluffy brushes will blend and diffuse pigment. Great eye brushes will make your makeup application faster and easier. If you really like to play up your artistry, you may want to try a defining bullet brush that can perfect pigment on the lash line or cut crease or a densely packed angled eyeliner brush for the perfect winged liner.
FOR BRUSH CLEANING
Once you’ve got all your brushes in order, it’s all about taking good care of them. We suggest cleaning your brushes once a week to prevent the chance of skin breakouts and buildup on your brushes. The cleaner they are, the better the application and the longer your brushes last.
Synthetic brush fibres are designed to withstand regular washing and disinfection, offering a convenient cleaning process. It’s important to treat natural brushes with care; they are essentially hair, so cleaning them too often can cause damage. All Eye of Horus brushes are made with synthetic (vegan) bristles.
We recommend washing with a gentle brush cleaner. If they’re really in need of a deep clean, then an antibacterial bar soap or gentle shampoo sparingly is best.
After you’ve washed your brushes, hang your brushes upside down to prevent water from getting into the ferrule and handle, as this can eventually cause both to break.