Makeup Brushes - More Important than You Think!

Quality makeup brushes are an essential tool for creating beautiful results and maintaining the health of your skin. Not only do brushes need to have a certain shape in order to deliver the desired shading and blending, but also they must be made of bristles, which will survive daily use so that they do not have to be replaced constantly. Although most makeup products come with miniature brushes or applicators, the looks displayed in their advertising is usually never achievable with the miniature sample brushes. By investing in a good brush set, you will be able to apply your makeup properly and without irritating the skin.

Stores such as Sephora have a wide selection of brushes, which can often be daunting to first-time buyers. The primary rule of buying makeup brushes is: buy what you need. If you do not wear eye makeup, ignore the salesperson's assertions that you "need" an eyeliner brusher, 3 different eyeshadow brushes, and an eyelash comb. It is best to buy what you will use so that you can purchase a few quality implements rather than a wealth of shoddy tools.

If you have sensitive skin, it is helpful to buy makeup brushes made from non-irritating materials. Eco Tools is a line of makeup brushes that are environmentally friendly, affordable, and convenient, as they can be purchased from many drug stores.

The makeup artist Sonia Kashuk has produced a line of high quality low cost brushes for her cosmetics brand available at target, which not only meet the demands of even a professional's use but are also visually pleasing.

Most makeup users will benefit from having a separate powder brush and blusher brush, as this will prevent color from being deposited where it is not wanted. The kabuki brush, a stout but wide variation on the powder brush, can also be used for powder and is often found in miniature in mineral foundation kits. Even liquid foundation can be applied with a unique brush, resembling a mid-size paintbrush, which enables blending to avoid the line that often forms along the border of the face and neck.

Concealer brushes, eyeliner, shadow and eyebrow brushes, and a lash comb to prevent mascara clumps are other standard tools that should be purchased to complete a basic makeup set. These tools can all be purchased separately or as part of sets, and are often available in travel sets as well.

Whatever brand makeup brush you use, a good test of their quality is to pull your closed hand over the bristles slowly with a slight application of force. If a bunch of bristles fall out from the brush, it is low quality and will shed when used.

Proper upkeep is required to maintain the quality of the brushes, ensuring good performance and preventing skin irritation. Makeup artists recommend washing brushes in lukewarm water and baby shampoo once a week, then laying them flat to dry (which should take about 24 hours). Although it is not visible to the eye, makeup tends to accumulate in the brushes and can compromise the quality of performance if not washed out regularly.