If you talk to any make-up artist about brushes you'll discover pretty quickly that they have their personal favourites, and they'd all agree that using the right ones can make a huge difference to how your make-up looks.
I have about 60 brushes in my kit, which believe it or not, is nothing in comparison to the pros who travel the world doing work on famous faces!
My brushes have all been hand picked and purchased for a specific reason, and since many of my clients ask me for my advice on what to buy, I thought I'd share my pick of amazing brushes with you.
Foundation brushes
First up, brushes for your foundation! Using a brush instead of your fingers will help you apply make-up more evenly and really blend it in to your skin which helps it last. Often when you apply with fingers you end up almost rubbing it back off, but using a brush prevents this and can therefore help your favourite foundation last longer.
Brushes I love for applying and blending liquid foundation are:
Real Techniques, Expert Face Brush, £9.99
Bobbi Brown, Full Coverage Face Brush, £29.50
Mac, Brush 187, £33.50
Concealer and cream eyeshadow
For applying and blending liquids and cream based products, brushes that are made from synthetic hair work best. Try:
Mac, Brush 217, £18
EcoTools Bamboo Deluxe Concealer Brush, £5.49
Loose and pressed powders
Large, soft, fluffy brushes will help you to easily apply powders and bronzers to your face, my favourites are:
Real Techniques, Powder Brush, £12.99
No7 Powder Brush, £17.50
Eyeliner
For gel liners, a precision brush will help you to achieve a slick, clean line. Try:
Maybelline (brush part of set with gel liner pot) £7.99
Bobbi Brown, Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush, £22
Powder blushers
Dome shaped brushes that are dense and structured will really help you to achieve a strong pop of colour on your cheeks because you can circle them and really blend the powder blusher on to your cheeks. Get that fresh faced, colourful glow with these brushes:
Real Techniques, Powder Blusher Brush, £9.99
No7, Blusher Brush, £11.50
Mac, Brush 116, £27.50
Don't forget to take good care of your best brushes! Show them some love by cleaning them once a week with brush cleanser to prevent germs and colour build up - Clinique, Estée Lauder and No7 all offer great, easy to use brush cleaners.
When it comes to brow brushes, cheat a little and keep the pennies for a new lipstick by taking the brush out of your mascara when it runs out, cleaning it up, and using it to brush your brows.
And lastly, remember to just experiment with them to improve your makeup application techniques - you're the artist and your face is the canvas - enjoy!
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