Makeup Brushes

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Makeup Brushes

When you apply makeup, you can use a brush to get the product out of its container and onto your skin. However, the type of brush you use for each face product may be different because the density, shape, and size of each brush changes based on what it is designed to do. Various brushes can suit your purposes.

What types of makeup brushes are there?

There are five main types of brushes:

  • Foundation brush: A foundation brush is a medium-to-large flat brush designed to blend liquid or cream foundation onto the skin.
  • Concealer brush: These small, flat brushes can be used to add concealer to the under-eye area and problem spots.
  • Contouring brush: These brushes are usually medium in size and have fluffy, domed-shaped bristles. They are used to buff and contour powder blush onto the skin for a natural-looking blend.
  • Eye makeup brushes: Brushes designed to be used on the eyelids come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the type of look you are going for. Crease brushes can be used to add depth with powder shadows while flat, dense brushes can be used to pack pigment onto the eyelid.
  • Angled brush: Small, angled brushes can be used to apply eyeliner or shadow to the lower lash line.
What are makeup brushes made of?

The bristles on the brush are generally made from two different types of materials.

  • Natural materials: Brushes made with natural bristles are made from animal hair. The hair can come from sables, goats, ponies, or blue squirrels. Since the natural animal hair has a cuticle, these brushes are generally softer and have the ability to hold more pigment.
  • Synthetic materials: Synthetic bristles are man-made from fine plastics. They allow for greater precision in application and work well with makeup products that you do not want to be soaked up by the bristles.
What should you consider when looking for makeup brushes?

There are several things you should consider when looking for makeup brushes, such as the brushes’:

  • Shape: Domed, angled, and flat brushes all apply product to the face in a different manner. A brush should hold enough product to get the makeup effect that you are looking for.
  • Size: Brushes come in sizes that range from very small to quite large. Smaller brushes can add fine details to small areas of the face while larger brushes can hold more product and add powders to larger areas of the face at once.
  • Density: Brushes that are more densely packed, like a foundation brush or an eye shadow brush, hold more pigment. However, if you want a more natural look, brushes that are less dense can help you blend the pigment into your skin.
  • Heft: Some brush handles are heavier than others. The heft of the brush usually varies by brand. Some people like heavier brushes as they feel it gives them more control while others prefer lighter brushes.

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