It's interesting that I get asked about makeup a lot more than I get asked about tools. The truth is, most people are willing to invest a lot on products, but not on good tools. I must confess, it took me a long while to understand that the latter is just as important as the former. Once I got my brush game on-point, though, I realised that how good your makeup looks isn't just to do with the product that you use, but just as much to do with the tools you use.
Brushes don't have to be intimidating – there are hundreds of them, yes, it all seems a bit too much – but really, if you invest in the right few essentials, they'll have you covered for life. If cared for well, they really do last a lifetime.
1. A good foundation brush:
Here's a fact – a flawless base is 50% of your make up worries sorted. Invest in a good, dense kabuki brush with either a flat or dome head. You definitely want to buy one thats got a small - mid-sized brush head, rather than a large one – this helps blend your base into the nooks and crannies without missing a spot.
2. A concealer brush:
I like to use concealer brush that is like a mini/slimmer version of my kabuki brush, usually with a domed or angled head. Great for feathering out spot-concealer, and giving you a very clean, airbrushed finish.
3. An angled contour brush
The most versatile of ALL bushes, an angled contour brush is shaped perfectly for contour, highlight, blush and even setting powder. The angled head is designed to fit right in the hollow of your cheeks for precise application. The Mac 168 and the Sigma F84 are worth the hype.
4 & 5. A tapered blending/crease brush, and a shader brush:
Basic eye looks need nothing more than a good blending/crease brush and a halfway decent eye shader brush. If you're not doing anything elaborate, just these two bushes can take you miles.
6. Lip Brush:
To be honest, I've gone my entire life without owning one of these because I have a fairly steady hand with lipsticks. However, this is one worth owning if you love your bright/dark lip shades – for a really clean finish.
These brushes are great to start a beginner kit with – but they're good enough to help you create makeup looks that are not just basic. You'll be surprised what a few good brushes can do.