Basic Makeup Tools for Every Skill Level
What makeup tools should you have? Although sometimes it is good to use your fingertips to blend makeup products into your face as this gives you a better feel of their textures, however, brushes, sponges, puffs and other makeup tools are necessary to help you do a better job. A small pair of scissors, tweezers and eyelash curlers are also some basic grooming items that every woman should have.
Brushes are essential makeup tools. While blending is the key to ‘invisible’ makeup, brushes are the most vital tools for blending. The amount of powder you pick up and how well powder is blended on the face depends on the size, shape and texture of the brushes.
Natural hair bristles, which are soft but more costly, do give a softer and more natural blend. When buying bigger brushes like powder, blusher and eyeshadow brushes, it is better to get soft ones that will sweep gently across your face, than synthetic ones that will feel scratchy against your skin.
Brushes that are made from synthetic fibres are stiffer but cheaper and more durable. You can save some money by choosing synthetic bristles when buying smaller eyeshadow, eyeliner, and eyebrow brushes, as the hard, firm bristles pick up more powder for precise drawing and application. However, brushes with soft bristles are still better for blending loose powder and blushers.
The Basic and Must-Haves 7 Brushes
1. Powder Brush
This brush is big, soft and fluffy. It is used for picking up a light dusting of loose powder. The big, round head evenly distributes powder all over the face. You can also use this brush for blending and dusting off extra powder. However, I feel that a powder puff sets your foundation better as it presses loose powder into the skin.
2. Blusher Brush
A powder brush does not pick up a lot of powder, so if you use this brush for our cheeks, you will find that the shade you get is less intense. A blusher brush is a must to have because its dense and medium-sized head makes for easy application of blusher powder and a more concentrated shade.
3. Flat-Head Concealer Brush
This brush is flat and short. For precision in concealing blemishes and dark under eye circles.
4. Tiny Concealer Brush
This brush is small with few bristles. For concealing freckles, spots, pimples on uneven skin surface.
5. Small Eyeshadow Brush
This brush is small and firm, and best used for precise application near the eyeliner as it gives a more concentrated shade. It is also used for smudging eyeliner powder to give your eyes a softer look, and for application of eyeshadow on the lower lash line.
6. Full Eyeshadow Brush
This brush is full and flat. Designed for the application of shimmer and matte eyeshadows. For applying eyeshadow and highlighter, or blending eyeshadow colours. Try to have at least two eyeshadow brushes: one for darker colours, the other for lighter colours.
7. Eye Brow Brush
This brush has firm, angled bristles. It can be used for applying eyebrow powder and can double as an eyeliner brush.
Note: Dual sponge-tipped applicator above can be used to replace 5 and 6 eyeshadow brushes above.
8. Fan-shaped Brush
The bristles are in a flat, fan shape. For blending and dusting off excess powder. Used to apply powder highlighters and to remove fall out from cheeks and under eye area.
9. Highlighter Brush
This brush is slightly fuller and bigger than the full eyeshadow brush. For applying highlighter on the brow bone, T-zone and under eye area.
10. Angled Blush Brush
Multi-function brush perfect for contouring, sculpting/shading and structuring the face.
11. Foundation Brush
Use like a paint brush to apply liquid foundations. Designed for the precise application of cream/liquid foundation. The primary function of a foundation brush is to facilitate the smooth application of your base or foundation onto the skin. Using a brush of good quality makes all the difference in the world. Opting for a wrong brush can make you appear cakey and washed over. A high-quality foundation brush will allow you to blend the foundation out smoothly so that you can buff the product into the skin, giving it the most natural look.
12. Eyeshadow Blending Brush
For blending eyeshadow. Can be used as highlighter and concealer brush. Use in light circular motions between two eyeshadow colours on the lid, in the crease and on the brow bone. Can be used as concealer brush to cover freckles.
13. Sponge-tipped Applicator
This is a very useful tool for applying cream eyeshadow, powder eyeshadow and smudging soft pencil eyeliner. It can be used for blending or removing excess colours. Cotton buds can be used as sponge-tipped applicators too.
14. Eyeliner Brush
This brush is tiny, firm, flat and angled. The bristles are firm enough to pick up enough powder eyeliner to create a smooth line close to the lashes.
15. Lash Brush
For clearing excess mascara after application. Leave mascara to dry first before combing your lashes with this brush.
16. Lip Brush
Allows to precise application of lip colour. You may think you can do without one, but lips do look better and more natural if you use a lip brush to outline the lips and distribute the lip colour evenly. The small, rounded lip brush is also perfect for cleaning up the lip line with concealer. Can be used for eyes, lips, brows or for stippling concealer onto spots or scars.
Triangle Sponge
For the application of liquid foundation. They come in different shapes and sizes. Those with sharp edges are better because they can also be used to apply concealers. The triangle sponge was part of the first generation of makeup sponges from way back when the rigid lines and points can make it hard to distribute product evenly, as compared to curvier options. While these are the least expensive of the bunch, they can definitely add up when purchased over and over again.
Beauty Blender Sponge
For a light and natural finish, apply liquid foundation with a damp sponge. You've likely seen the iconic original pink egg-shaped sponge everywhere by now. It's a favourite among makeup artists, beauty editors, and the general makeup-loving population. The soft latex-free foam ball applies a seamless coat of liquid, gel, and cream formulas leaving skin flawless instead of clumpy and coated. Once wet, it doubles in size and the level of wetness can help you control the level of coverage. If just slightly damp, you're able to build up medium to full coverage and if very wet, you can get a dewy, sheer finish.
Tweezers
A pair of tweezers with pointed tips is good for removing in-grown hairs. Flat or angled tweezers are for normal use, such as plucking eyebrows.
Small, Sharp-Tipped Scissors
For eyebrow trimming. Stainless steel scissors are better as they do not rust.
Eyebrow Razor
if you are not ready to have your eyebrows plucked, try shaving with a razor to shape them as the brows can still grow back to its natural thickness.
Eye Curler
Metal curlers grip the lashes better than plastic ones. There are various types, some have a shorter width while others are more deeply curved for bigger eyes. Find one that allows you to grip all of your lashes including those at the inner and outer corners of your eyes. Look straight ahead, place lashes between curlers and press down for three seconds; repeat three times.
Eyelash Glue
Fir fixing false eyelashes. If you have untamed eyebrow hair growing out in all directions, you can also use eyelash glue to keep in place.
False Lashes
Many types of false lashes for dramatic, fun and sexy looks ae available in the market.
Sharpener
invest in a good one with two-hole sizes for sharpening pencils for various thicknesses.
Brush Cleaner
It cleans and dries brushes in seconds. Suitable for all types of brushes. Cleaning your makeup brushes every few weeks is recommended to keep your tools clean and your skin fresh. This avoids the build-up of bacteria, spots, infections and cold sores. Traditional cleaning methods can become messy, laborious and often leave brushes wet and unusable for up to 24 hours.
Tips: Always sanitize your hands before starting to do a makeup