4 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Makeup Brush
When asked what their favorite pieces of their makeup collection are, most people would choose a color eyeshadow, a dazzling highlighter, or a matte-all-day foundation. If you ask a makeup artist the same question, they will almost certainly mention their brushes.
Makeup brushes are to cosmetic artists what paintbrushes are to a budding Picasso or a favorite guitar pick is to Jimi Hendrix. Yet most regular Janes are unaware of how important brushes are to our own makeup kits.
One of the reasons for this is that there isn’t a lot of information available regarding what constitutes a ‘good’ makeup brush, so you might not even know what to look for.
The aim of this article is to give you tips to help you choose the right makeup brushes for yourself. We’ll also cover the makeup brushes that should be in everyone’s kit and touch on how to take care of your makeup brushes.
We’ve also put together a FREE Makeup Brush Guide that has pretty much everything you need to know about brushes in one nice little PDF to make things easier for you.
1. Quality Trumps Quantity, Always
A high-quality brush is always a good investment.
A high-quality makeup brush will have tightly packed bristles, a strong wood or plastic handle, and a profile that applies and mixes makeup smoothly and evenly. It should efficiently transfer makeup, which means the brush shouldn’t lose much of the makeup as you carry it to your skin.
Durable brushes will keep you working your beauty magic for years to come.
Harry Rajput is well-known for his work with performers such as Bipasha Basu and Esha Gupta. “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 on a brush play a vital role in its longevity. “Check the strength of the bristles by rubbing the brush against your hand to see if any fibres fall out. If any bristles do fall out, then steer clear of buying it.” he suggests.
When it comes to building your own brush kit, you will most likely get what you pay for. “Cheap brushes usually don’t hold up when cleaned, and they can fan out,” says celebrity makeup artist Sandy Linter.
Furthermore, Rose Siard, a makeup artist and instructor, feels that excellent brushes can improve makeup. “In my opinion, a great quality brush can make up for a poor quality product,” she shares. “I would rather have one great eye shadow brush than three subpar ones.”
Choose high-quality materials and keep in mind that if you take care of your brushes (and clean them regularly), they will last a long time. So, consider brushes a long-term investment.
Also, less is more. While having a large cosmetic collection with several brushes may appear appealing, the fact is that most individuals can get by with only 2–3 brushes.
Even professional makeup artists frequently perform quick applications for clients with brushes that serve a dual purpose. And guess what? It always works out perfectly!
It’s a lot of fun to watch makeup tutorials and see all of the different brushes that people have and use. But bear in mind that they frequently receive these expensive brushes for free from sponsors looking to promote their brand. They aren’t spending their own money, and if they had to, they probably wouldn’t own half as many brushes. Nobody needs 32 makeup brushes.
Not convinced? Consider that many professional makeup artists — like Natalie Setareh — often use their fingers — obviously ultra-clean — instead of brushes to apply makeup to themselves and their clients.
2. Fiber Density is Queen
Fiber density refers to how many bristles are contained in a brush’s ferrule (the metal ring that separates the bristles from the handle), and it is an important indicator of how a brush will deposit color on your face.
A thick brush will lay down a thicker layer of color, while a brush with a lower fiber density will give a softer look.
In general, eyeshadow brushes should be thicker than blush or blending brushes. The easiest method to determine the density of a brush before purchasing it is to see it in person. But if you can’t, look at the brush’s description on the brand’s website and read online reviews.
3. Choose Your Fiber Type — Synthetic or Natural
A makeup brush’s bristles are constructed of either synthetic or natural fibers.
Natural brushes, which have bristles derived from diverse animal hairs, are more costly than synthetic brushes. In the past, natural bristles were better at retaining makeup pigments than synthetic alternatives, and they frequently produced a softer, more natural look on the skin.
If you are a staunch advocate of animal rights, you should check to see if the brushes were created in a humane manner before purchasing them.
Natural makeup brushes have bristles manufactured from the fur of various animals, such as squirrels, goats, badgers, horses, minks, or sable, and the animals are occasionally reared in less than optimal conditions.
Synthetic bristles, on the other hand, are man-made and often composed of nylon or polyester strands. By blending fibers, manufacturers can improve their color-carrying capabilities.
Synthetic filaments are frequently colored and baked to make them softer and more absorbent, as well as less susceptible to damage from makeup and solvents.
Because the filaments do not retain or absorb pigments, they are much easier to clean than natural hair brushes, and they are better suited for layering powders or concealers because they hold up better against makeup.
Furthermore, synthetic-fiber brushes are ideal for people who are allergic to animal fur.
While natural brushes were once preferred because they were thought to be softer and to offer greater color payoff, attitudes have evolved as technical improvements have considerably enhanced the quality of synthetic tools.
“I think synthetic hair fibers are the go-to. Not only are they cruelty free, but they are also virtually indistinguishable from natural hair in regard to feel and application.”
— Rose Siard, Makeup Artist and Instructor.
4. Know When — and Where — to Splurge
No, brush sets are not the splurge you think they are. Avoid purchasing them at all costs.
Yes, they can be tempting to buy as they’re always so neatly organized in those small carrying cases.
But here’s the harsh reality: most sets contain a slew of brushes that wouldn’t ordinarily sell well on their own, and you can be sure that you won’t use half of them. It’s simply a colossal waste of money.
“Makeup artists can have a hundred brushes because they know which ones work where, but don’t confuse yourself with a large brush kit.”
— Sandy Linter, Celebrity Makeup Artist.
Another thing to bear in mind is the kind of brush you need. Brandy Allen, a celebrity makeup artist and groomer, advocates investing in face brushes (think: foundation, powder, etc.) since they are “used on the biggest part of the makeup application.”
On the other hand, Linter enjoys splurging on blush and shadow brushes. If you’re looking for a lip brush, Linter believes that it might be challenging to find one with adequate thickness.
That said, most makeup artists believe that there are wonderful low-cost highlighter and eyeliner brushes that will do the job for a fraction of the price.
The Makeup Brushes That Should Be in Everyone’s Kit
There are specific kinds of brushes that should form the cornerstone of your makeup kit, whether you’re a makeup expert or just beginning on your color cosmetics adventure.
“A great starting point would be a foundation brush, a concealer brush, a powder brush, an eyeshadow blending brush, and an eye shadow flat brush. This should get you most places you need to go for day to day looks.”
— Rose Siard, Makeup Artist and Instructor.
The Basics
- Foundation Brush
- Eye Shadow Blending Brush
- Powder Brush
- Concealer Brush
- Flat Eye Shadow Brush
Once you have these basics, you might want to explore adding a few of the following brushes to your toolkit:
- Contour Brush
- Crease Brush
- Eyeliner Brush
- Lip Brush
How to Take Care of Your Makeup Brushes
The good news is that investing in high-quality brushes ensures that they will withstand the test of time, and you can normally anticipate your makeup brushes lasting a couple of years. In fact, some pros have brushes that have been in their kit for over a decade.
However, your brushes must be cared for in order to last.
Washing your brushes regularly is essential for removing the residue and bacteria that damages both the skin barrier and the brush fibers. Depending on how frequently you use them, you may use a brush cleaner every day and then deep clean the brushes every one to two weeks.
When the bristles of a brush begin to shed, tear, or get stiff, it’s time to replace it. Also, if you notice that the handle or ferrule is cracked or broken, trash the brush because bacteria can enter the crack.
One final cue that it’s time to change your brushes? They no longer apply your makeup evenly.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this post has cleared up some of the mystery surrounding makeup brushes. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or reach out to us using the contact form below. And if you found it helpful, don’t forget to share it on social using the links below.
