What are makeup brushes? What are they for? How to use them? What is this or that brush intended for? Which pile is better? How to choose makeup brushes? You will receive answers to these and other questions after reading this article.
If you want to create beautiful makeup, you can’t do without brushes - the main tools of a makeup artist. Good and properly selected brushes will help you apply makeup accurately and accurately. So, if you love doing makeup or want to do it professionally, you will need at least one set of brushes.
Makeup brushes can be made of natural or synthetic bristles. Natural bristles are made from the hair of pony, sable, goat, squirrel, etc. Large brushes, for example, for applying powder, blush, a large fan brush, a kabuki brush will be better with natural bristles. They will be soft and durable. Lipstick and eyeliner brushes can be taken from good quality synthetic fibers, because they do not absorb excess moisture and are easier to care for. For shadows, brushes can be made of two types of bristles. To apply them, you can use brushes with artificial bristles, but for shading, it is better to use natural bristles. Sets that combine brushes with different types of bristles are popular on sale.
Now let's talk about the purpose of each brush.
Large and small fan brushes. Designed to eliminate excess dry products such as powder, blush, eye shadow. They easily remove crumbled pieces of makeup without smearing them. A large fan can also be used to apply powder in a thin layer.
Kabuki brush. Suitable for applying liquid foundation, powder, and shading borders. They are also good for applying mineral foundations and powders.
Powder brush. This brush should be large, soft and fluffy. The larger the brush, the more evenly the powder is applied.
Blush brush. It is slightly smaller in size than a powder brush and is convenient for applying blush to the cheeks and temples.
Angled blush brush. This brush is convenient for drawing cheekbones.
Small beveled brush. Used to draw small details of the facial relief. For example, for nose correction. Can also be used to blend shadows.
There are two brushes for applying foundation. First: a flat, rounded synthetic fiber brush. Applying foundation or primer with it is much more convenient than using your fingers or a sponge; it does not absorb a lot of cream and does not leave streaks. With its help, a thin and even layer is applied. Second: a round brush with a flat edge. It blends out the edges of foundation perfectly. Using this brush, you need to move from the center of the face to the edges with quick driving movements.
Concealer brush. A smaller copy of a flat foundation brush. This brush is easier to apply than using your fingers. It easily shades the boundaries of the masked area and allows you to concentrate the right amount of corrector in the place that needs to be hidden. This brush can also be used to cover dark circles under the eyes. It is almost impossible to achieve such a result with your fingers.
Eyeshadow Brushes:
1. Flat brush, large and small. Used to apply shadows to the moving eyelid, drawing the outer corner of the eye.
2. Tapered blending brush, large and small. Perfectly smoothes out the boundaries of shadow application and makes smooth transitions between colors.
3. Pencil brushes and other small brushes. Used for drawing eyelash lines, shading pencil lines, applying shadows to the lower eyelid and drawing other small details.
4. Angled flat brush. Used for drawing arrows with liquid or gel eyeliner. You can also draw softer arrows with shadows.
5. Barrel brush. A round, tightly packed brush that tapers towards the edge . It can also be used for shading and for drawing the crease of the eyelid.
You will need several brushes of each type, for dark, light and other shades. Otherwise, you will have to wash your brushes every time so that the colors do not mix.
The eyeliner brush should be thin and the bristles should fit well together. The handle can be either straight or beveled.
Eyebrow brush. This is a dense, angled brush that is convenient for applying dry eyebrow correctors and blending pencil lines.
Brushes for eyelashes and eyebrows. Needed to separate eyelashes and comb eyebrows.
Lip brush. A dense small brush made of artificial bristles. Thanks to this brush, it is applied more precisely and accurately. It allows you to draw a perfectly smooth lip contour.
Caring for brushes is quite simple. You need to wash them with shampoo once a week or at least once a month. Then let them dry, you just need to lay them out on a towel. Brushes that may lose their shape should not be left with the bristles sticking out; you need to give it the correct shape, then after drying the brushes will not change their appearance.
The article described only the main types of brushes. Besides these brushes, there are many brushes that you will be more comfortable using, so don't be afraid to experiment and try different brushes. This way you can assemble your own, which will be ideal just for you. The sets presented in our store contain almost all the necessary makeup brushes. For example, this is , and
Eleonora BrikOften, after a sleepless night or hard work, you can see a tired face in the mirror in the morning. A magic cosmetic bag can save a woman. Makeup works real miracles even on homely representatives of the fairer sex! And the correct application of blush allows you to give your skin a healthy, radiant look and correct the shape of your face. And half the success in this matter is a good choice of blush brush.
Often in a set with blush you can see a small brush, but it is better to use it, rather, as a standby option. For high-quality makeup, it is better to have a separate, specially selected brush. Girls who have never had such a tool in their makeup bag will have a hard time finding a suitable option. To prevent your purchase from turning into disappointment, it is important to consider a lot of criteria when choosing a blush brush.
Natural or synthetic bristles?
Both natural and artificial materials are used to make blush brushes. Synthetic bristles (made from acrylic or plastic fibers) have a smooth structure and are more suitable for applying liquid, cream blush. These brushes are easy to clean and last longer than natural products. Synthetic bristles are not capable of causing allergies, unlike natural bristles. And, of course, relatively low cost is not the last advantage of brushes made of synthetic materials.
Brushes with natural bristles (from squirrel, sable, marten, pony, goat) are softer than their artificial counterparts. Thanks to their porous structure, loose blush will fit perfectly on the cheekbones. But such a brush will not cope with liquid blush: the bristles will instantly stick together, and the pores will become clogged - and the brush will be ruined.
A brush with mixed bristles can handle liquid blush quite well. A distinctive feature of such brushes are two-color bristles (artificial bristles of a lighter shade). This tool can be added to every lady's makeup bag.
Brush form
Once you have decided which brush material is right for you, you need to figure out what shape of brush you need. The shape of the brush determines the method of applying cosmetics and the final result. The most common types of brushes, depending on the shape of the pile, are:
Round brushes. They are suitable for distributing blush over a fairly wide area of the face, but are not suitable for creating thin and clear lines. Using a round brush, you can achieve a natural blush on your cheekbones by applying the product with light movements from your temples to the center of your face.
Oval brushes. A brush of this shape helps to achieve the same result, but it is more often used in conjunction with a beveled model.
Angled brushes. The angled bristle of the beveled brush allows you to carefully place the necessary accents on the cheekbones in exactly the proportions in which it is necessary, which is called “draw” the line of the cheekbones. The brush is able to draw a line that gradually fades to nothing: a wide beginning, a gradual narrowing and, finally, complete disappearance. If necessary, the applied lines are lightly shaded with an oval brush.
Trapezoidal hands (scapula shape). They usually contain both natural and synthetic fibers. With their help you can apply both loose and cream blush. This brush is capable of drawing clear lines on the cheekbones and blending them well. This universal option is a real find for beginners who are encountering the art of applying makeup for the first time.
Fan brushes. This makeup tool was borrowed from artists who created true masterpieces using fan brushes, easily and masterfully handling them on canvas. Today, a fan brush is a fairly popular item in the work of makeup artists. This tool helps complete your makeup by removing unnecessary powder and blush from your face, while the soft bristles create an even complexion without damaging your makeup. The material of the fan brush is not of fundamental importance. It is only important that the pile is not painted in a dark color, otherwise unsightly marks will remain on the face.
Pile density and hardness
These qualities entirely depend on the type of blush you choose. After all, the denser the brush is, the more particles of the cosmetic product it will capture. But for blush that is too dark and bright, this is undesirable - the bright cheeks of a matryoshka doll do not fit into the concept of natural makeup, even if it is evening makeup. Hard, dense bristles are suitable for blushes of light, desaturated shades. If you prefer natural-colored cosmetics, purchase a soft brush.
Blush in balls is best applied using a wide and fluffy brush. Compact blush prefers brushes with soft, natural bristles.
How to choose a great quality brush?
As mentioned earlier, artificial brush bristles do not mean low quality.
Whatever pile you prefer - natural or artificial, it is important that it does not fade during use!
To check a brush for this criterion before purchasing, try shaking it slightly or even running your finger over it - a good quality brush will not fray the bristles. After pressing on the pile, it should return to its original position and not break off or bend.
The presence of a sharp, chemical smell of the dye is unacceptable. It will not be possible to check the hypoallergenicity of the material before purchasing; this quality can be checked after several uses. To eliminate the possibility of skin redness due to the use of low-quality bristles, use products only from trusted brands.
Some unscrupulous manufacturers paint brushes black to create the appearance of bristles made from the hair of a black goat or silver fox
These materials are quite expensive, but brushes made from them are considered the highest quality and most sought after by professional makeup artists. If after washing the brush the bristles fade, it is an obvious fake and does not have all the qualities declared by the manufacturer.
A good brush is soft enough and does not cause discomfort when touching the skin. Try running the brush over the delicate skin of your wrist to test this quality. The touch of the brush should resemble a light and pleasant massage. If you experience any unpleasant tingling sensations, it is better to refrain from purchasing, even if you are satisfied with the brush in all other respects. A brush that is too hard will not only injure the skin, but also smear the makeup base.
The handle should be strong and smooth (especially if you choose a wooden handle). Damage, chips and cracks on the handle are unacceptable. It should not bend during use.
The pile is attached to the handle using a metal clip. It is important that she presses the lint firmly to the handle. When the bristles are tilted to the side, the distance from the base of the pile to the cage should not exceed 1 mm.
It is better to purchase makeup tools in certified stores, rather than on the Internet. It is important to see, touch, and stroke with your own eyes the product that you like. When choosing a blush brush, tactility is of paramount importance.
Try how the brush fits in your hand: the easier it is for you to move the brush, the more accurate the applied makeup will be.
Take the time to carefully select your brush. This is a profitable investment, because you are purchasing a tool that you plan to use for many years, subject to proper care.
Care for blush brushes
Each brush, from simple to the most expensive and high-quality, requires proper care. Regular and careful care of your blush brushes will help prolong their life.
Wash your blush brushes once a week or more often as needed. There are special care products for makeup brushes. If you purchase a brush with natural bristles, it is better to use specially produced professional care cosmetics. But for artificial fibers, regular shampoo or soap is enough. The product is diluted in warm water and the brush is rinsed without touching the bristles. Then the brush should be lightly blotted with a cloth and dried in a horizontal position, avoiding contact of the bristles with the surface.
Do not dry brushes in a vertical position; the glue that attaches the bristles to the base is destroyed by moisture.
For problem skin, brushes require additional disinfection using special products or regular chlorhexidine at least once every three weeks.
A little trick: if the pile has lost its shape due to improper care, you can restore it by dipping the tip of the pile into hot water (not higher than 90 degrees) for two minutes.
The choice of makeup brushes determines both the quality of the make-up and the time that will have to be spent each time to create the image. Experienced makeup artists assure you: you can buy inexpensive blush, but the brush for applying it must certainly be of high quality. Only then will you achieve results as if you were using premium cosmetics.
Here's everything you need to know if you're planning on buying a blush brush. These simple tips will help you choose a brush that is optimal in terms of price and quality and is pleasant to use. This will allow you to look fresh and attractive, no matter how many hours you rest and no matter what worries bother you. And yet, external beauty is, rather, a reflection of internal beauty and health. Take care of yourself and be healthy and attractive!
April 26, 2014, 15:30
Beauty blog author modest_beauty Valeria Grinevich shares with elle. ru with their discoveries.
When choosing makeup brushes, a lot depends on your habits, makeup technique, as well as what brushes you started with and which ones you have gotten used to. If you are just planning to purchase your first brushes or, having tried several, want to choose the most necessary ones, pay attention to these five.
Face
1) Universal face brush
A brush with double natural-synthetic bristles can replace several brushes in your cosmetic bag. This is ideal for travel. It is designed for weightless, easy application of powder, highlighter, and blush blending. It is an ideal replacement for Guerlain's signature meteorite brush and can easily be used to apply liquid foundation, cream blush or bronzer.
Try to choose your universal face brush among MAC - 187, Sigma - F50, Make Up For Ever - Powder brush 55 N, Laura Mercier - Finishing brush, Sephora - Stippling brush.
2) Angled blush brush
The most convenient blush brush is one with a beveled edge. It will not only help you apply blush accurately and accurately, placing accents correctly, but is also ideal for sculpting the face and applying bronzing powders. If you have a more conventional blush brush with rounded bristles, you can use it to blend the blush, and for a more precise, accentuated application, use an angled brush, which is better to choose a slightly smaller size than your usual blush brush.
Options for angled blush brushes: MAC – 168, Sigma – F40, Make Up For Ever – Blush Brush 25S, Guerlain – Angled Blush brush, Sephora – Angled Blush brush.
Eyelids
3) Eyeshadow brush
Choosing the right eyelid brushes is probably the most difficult, it is difficult to give universal advice, since a lot depends on the size and shape of the eyelids, how densely you prefer to apply the shadows. It is important to choose a brush so that the bristles are not too long and too thick - this can lead to the shadows falling off.
Please note MAC – 239, Sigma – E55, Bobbi Brown – Eye shadow brush, Make Up For Ever – Eyeshadow brush 6N, Dior – Eyeshadow Brush.
4) Brush for blending shadows
You can habitually shade the shadows in the outer corner of the eyelid with the same brush for applying shadows or with your fingertips, but once you try it easily, with just a couple of movements, do it with a special brush for shading shadows, you will no longer be able to refuse it.
Long bristled, round brushes vary in size, so it's important to choose your option based on the size and shape of your eyelids. This brush can also be used to apply the darkest shade of eyeshadow, use it for concealer, and to place small highlighter accents on the face.
The most popular brushes of this type: MAC – 222, MAC – 224, Sigma – E40, Sigma – E35, Make Up For Ever – Eyeshadow brush 17S, Bobbi Brown – Eye blender brush.
Brows
5) Eyebrow shaping brush
Even if you use a small amount of decorative cosmetics or do makeup extremely rarely, it is very important to tidy up your eyebrows and give them shape. If you are doing makeup, it is better to shape your eyebrows right away, and only then fill them with pencil or shadow, fix them with wax or gel.
Good makeup brushes are a very smart investment in your flawless appearance. The success of applying makeup depends on them. You should be especially careful when choosing a blush brush.
Peculiarities
On the cosmetic market you can find not only compact blushes, but also loose, roll-on, and liquid ones. To ensure the perfect application of each of these types, manufacturers took care to create different options for brushes. In addition, using one brush or another gives a different effect.
What's it called?
When we go shopping, we inevitably come across different names on the labels. On the shelves you can find such names as: beveled, round, “kabuki”, fan, “spatula”, duo-fiber - all these are blush brushes. Next, let's figure out what each of them is.
What should it be?
When applying blush, you should use a brush designed specifically for blush. It is not recommended to replace it with another, for example, a powder brush. The result will not be the same. The brush should be of high quality, strong and with pleasant bristles. Its shape should match the type of blush being applied. It is imperative to wash it often and keep it clean. In this regard, brushes with a cap that protects the bristles from bacteria and dirt are quite practical.
What does it look like?
You can find blush brushes with different shapes. And here a completely logical dilemma appears: which one to choose. The point is that they serve different purposes. Therefore, to find your ideal option, you should decide what effect you need: soft or clearer.
So, here are the most common types of brushes:
- Beveled. They are flatter than others, with a beveled top, which is why they got their name. Such brushes are perfect for creating clear contours and carefully shading them.
- Round(in other words, “kabuki”) are aimed at shading blush. They won’t draw thin and clear lines, but they will distribute the product evenly and erase the transition from blush to bronzer. There are folding models that are convenient to take with you, because they do not take up much space.
- "Shoulders", they are also fan-shaped. They are used at the final stage of make-up to remove excess cosmetics without damaging the makeup and leaving no traces behind. Ideally blend the transitions of highlighter, bronzer and blush.
Varieties
For a certain type of blush, one brush or another is preferable:
- Cream - synthetic bristle brush;
- Compact or crumbly - from natural;
- Ball - natural wide from soft fluffy pile.
In the assortment of some cosmetic companies you can find brushes with blush inside. Such sets are practical: they save space in your cosmetic bag and are convenient to use outside the home. Models in a metal case with a retractable design are very compact. Because of this packaging, they are convenient to carry with you to adjust your makeup as needed.
Materials
Brushes for blush, as well as for other decorative products, can be made from both natural and artificial materials. Before you give preference to something specific, you need to understand their features.
Advantages of brushes with synthetic bristles:
- Affordable;
- More durable;
- Do not require special care;
- Easy to clean.
In the production of natural brushes, the fur of fur-bearing animals (blue squirrel, sable, kolinsky), as well as pony and goat hair is used. They are more pleasant and lighter when interacting with the skin. But, accordingly, the prices for such brushes will be much higher. In addition, they require more careful care. In addition to synthetic and natural ones, there are mixed brushes (duofiber) on the market, where both types of materials are combined. They can be easily distinguished by the presence of two colors, where the artificial pile will always be lighter.
Manufacturers
Among the worthy budget products are the following brushes:
- Avon– artificial oval and natural beveled. The limited edition comes with a beautiful floral design for a spring feel;
- Oriflame Very me- natural oval shape;
- Giordani Gold- retractable natural;
- Essence Blush Brush beveled artificial.
More expensive brands are also quite popular:
- Mac– natural with a radial cut;
- Real Techniques Blush Brush– natural with fibers of different lengths;
- Chanel: Les Beiges- synthetic kabuki, Pinceaux Blush N4 natural oval, double folding Les Pinceaux made of duofibre;
- Shiseido Blush Brush No2– natural;
- Nyx: Pro Dual Fiber Powder Brush– natural and synthetic bristles, Pro Brush Kabuki– kabuki.
Other brands are also in demand: Dolce & Gabbana, Vivienne Sabo, Luxvisage, Just, Triumf, Bobbi Brown and others.
How to choose?
Buying makeup brushes is a rather important moment. If you trust online shopping in this matter, you can often make a mistake. Therefore, it is better to go to a specialized store to see for yourself the quality of the product. Firstly, before purchasing, you need to carefully consider the pile. Regardless of its origin (natural or synthetic), it should be packed tightly enough, but at the same time not be hard to the touch. The bristles cannot scratch the face, their touch is as light and pleasant as possible.
Secondly, you should check to see if the bristles are shedding or staining the skin. This is often the case with low-quality brushes with black bristles, which leave dirty streaks on the face and crumble after washing. To check, you need to vigorously shake the hand in your hands, and then move it across your palm in different directions.
Thirdly, it is important to make sure that the tool is durable. The handle should have elasticity, the metal tip should fit snugly, and the pile should be securely attached to the handle.
Feel free to smell the lint - there should not be an unpleasant chemical smell. If the brush meets all the above requirements, then we are dealing with a worthy tool.
Which ones are better?
It is not recommended to apply makeup with brushes that are sold with blush. In most cases, they are of poor quality, and their shape is “adjusted” not to the needs of the buyer, but to the size of the package. Keep in mind that high-quality brushes are quite expensive, especially those made with natural bristles or combined ones. Even artificial ones will cost a decent amount. The cost of production itself is high, so do not trust suspiciously profitable options on sales. The risk of coming across a low-quality product is too high. It is recommended to give preference to professional brands.
It is impossible to answer unequivocally which material is better: natural or synthetic. The leading factor here is the type of blush you use. Natural bristles are designed for loose dry blush; it easily picks up small particles of cosmetics. Natural brushes eliminate the possibility of mechanical damage to the skin. In most cases, they do not cause irritation or allergic reactions. But they cannot completely guarantee hypoallergenicity. After all, there are girls with allergies to certain types of wool.
But natural bristles cannot cope with a greasy, creamy texture: the villi will simply stick together and become clogged. Therefore, artificial brushes are used for viscous types of cosmetics. Combined ones have proven themselves in applying liquid blush. Thus, everything needs to be checked individually.
How to use?
The method of applying blush depends on the shape of the face:
- Round - the line goes from the ear down the cheekbone, evenly decreasing in width.
- Elongated - almost a horizontal line from the middle of the ear to the middle of the nose.
- Square - the line is the same as for round, but tapers from the nose to the ear.
- Triangular - a diamond-shaped line that increases towards the middle and decreases again towards the end.
- Thin - a wide angular line along the cheekbones, descending from the ears to the middle of the face.
- Wide - the line of blush is like with a square face, only it goes down along the cheekbones, and does not go horizontally.
It is very important to apply the product with a suitable meter. You cannot use natural brushes with cream products, only synthetic ones. If the blush does not pick up in the balls, then you have chosen the wrong brush. In this option, you need a wide one with soft bristles.
Greetings, dear readers!
Do you use blush? What do you usually apply? This may be a strange question, because usually the compact version comes with a small brush. But, believe me, this is not the same at all.
If you want to achieve ideal application, then you need a professional blush brush. It is not cheap, but I can say with confidence that a good brush “does the whole business,” that is, makeup.
Applying blush to your face is also a kind of art, and quality accessories simplify this matter several times. Therefore, below I will try to talk about what you should look for when buying brushes, what materials they are made from and which ones are better suited for this or that type of blush.
Perhaps some of you have tried to apply blush with your finger or even with a powder puff, but this decorative product requires a more delicate approach to its use. Typically, blush brushes are slightly different from those used to apply powder, usually being slightly larger in size. less.
Depending on what result you want to get on your face, brushes are divided into the following types:
This camping an option that you can easily carry in your purse. It can be produced with both natural and synthetic bristles. This brush has a retractable mechanism, with the help of which the bristles are hidden in a case and can be easily taken out at your request. By extending, you can adjust the length and density of the pile.
You can often find a brush two in one, that is, intended for applying blush.
This allows you to save money, just don’t forget which side you apply the blush on and which side you apply the powder on; it’s best to make a mark on the handle of the brush, for example, with nail polish.
The makeup artist will tell you more about the trick in the next video.
A little about the pile
Basically, blush brushes are available with natural and synthetic bristles, and, as in the case of duofibre, double bristles. Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
- Natural.
These brushes are made from wool of various animals, these can be ponies, goats, squirrels, martens and sables. Usually their bristles are much softer than synthetic ones, and applying blush with them is a pleasure; such makeup looks more natural and delicate.
When giving preference to a natural brush, you should know that it only works well when paired with crumbly blush, liquid and cream ones will only glue the entire pile together and ruin the application of cosmetics on the face.
One of the main disadvantages of natural materials is their ability to cause allergic reaction. Therefore, if you know in advance that you are allergic to wool, it is better to choose a synthetic option. Also, it is worth noting that the price of a blush brush with natural bristles can be high; the most expensive reaches about 10,000 rubles.
- Synthetic.
The artificial material allows the brush to last much longer than its natural counterpart. It is easy to clean using soap or any shampoo. She has more low price and copes well with cream and liquid blush consistencies. This brush is made mainly from plastic and acrylic fibers.
Cheap options can create unpleasant sensations in the form of tingling. This mainly depends on the making of the brush; if the bristles are picked by hand, then it is softer; if it is simply cut, then it is harder. Therefore, even when purchasing synthetic brushes, you should give preference to more expensive and high-quality ones.
Main criteria for choosing a brush
If you decide to buy yourself a high-quality blush brush, then you should approach this matter responsibly. When purchasing this accessory through an online store, carefully read the reviews. When buying a blush brush in a regular store, pay attention to the following parameters:
If you want to prevent your brush from falling apart within a week, pay attention to the part that you will hold in your hand. Firstly, so that it is comfortable, and secondly, so that the metal tip does not come off. Examine your potential purchase from all angles. If something is wrong, then put the tool back where you got it.
These were the main quality parameters, but there are also other criteria for choosing a blush brush. For example, if your blush is too bright, then you need to choose a brush with loose bristles to make the coating more natural. But for tender In shades that are not saturated with pigment, you can, on the contrary, give preference to a thick, stiffer pile.
That's all. I hope you are no problem now pick up Get yourself a great blush brush. She will help you create flawless makeup, and with it a great mood.
Rosy cheeks to you! See you!
