Seven Makeup Brushes that Every Beginner Should Have

by Nicole of Nicole Webster Makeup

As a beginner to makeup, it is easy to get overwhelmed with all the makeup brushes out on the market today.  You can find a brush to do almost anyting! How do you know which ones to choose? Do you really need that particular brush? How do you use that particular brush?

Below you will find the top seven brushes I recommend every beginner start with, along with some tools and one brush that is great but can be tricky.

1) Big Powder Brush: Because of the fullness and  density of a big powder brush,  it is great for for applying soft loose and pressed powders all over the face & body.  The larger and fluffier the brush, the more defused the powder will be when applied to the face.

Tip: Use outward sweeping motions for a light coverage and application, this technique is great for those with dry skin. Use patting motion by pressing the powder into the skin for a medium to full coverage.

2) Angled Blush Brush: Not only is this brush great for applying blush to the cheeks,  but because of its angled cut, it is great for highlighting and contouring as well.  This brush creates a more pronounced sculpted application, applying  the color beautifully with stronger pay off.

Tip: With the angle of the brush pointing down, begin to apply our blush from the highest point of your cheek (cheek bone) and blend the color downwards for a more natural look.

3) Stippling Brush: This unique duo fiber brush is perfect for applying cream, liquid, mousse or powder foundations. The synthetic fibers (white bristles) extend past the the black bristle (goat hair) which creates a silky appearance.

Tip: Coat the tips of the stippling brush with product and begin to stipple the foundation onto your face until well blended.  This technique will create a beautiful airbrushed complexion, without the airbrush machine! This brush is also great for applying bronzer and other powdered products by gently sweeping over the face or using circular motions.

4)  All Over Eye  Brush (medium eye shadow brush):  A good dense medium sized eye shadow brush is good for a strong color payoff on the lid. It can also be used to highlight under the brow.

Tip: For a sheer color application, sweep the eyeshadow onto the lid from left to right.  For a more intense look, pat/press the eye shadow onto the lid.  If you want even more intensity spritz your brush with a little water first then pick up your eyeshadow color and pat/press it onto the lid for a bold look.

5) Large Crease Brush:  Crease brushes are great for blending multiple colors on the lid, adding definition to the contours of the eye and applying all over sheer color. You want to get a large crease brush with medium density so it is dense enough to create contour but fluffy enough to blend out colors and harsh lines.

Tip: Place brush in the socket of the eye (crease) which is the space between the brow bone and eye ball.  Using wind shield wiper motions, sweep a shadow one or two shades darker than your skin tone back and forth, to add definition to the eye.

6) Angled Liner Brush:  This brush is great for filling in sparse brows and lining the eyes.  The angle gives more control and is great for when wanting to create a winged liner.  The bristles are synthetic which makes it great for cream and gel products.

Tip: spritz brush with a little water then dip brush into your favourite eye shadow color and apply to upper lash line.  The water sorta turns the powder into a liquid form and intensifies the color.


7) Lash Brow Groomer Brush:  With one end of the brush, you can groom and shape your eyebrows  and with the comb end of the brush you can declump your lashes if there is to much mascara on them, making your lashes nice and separated.

Tip: Use the comb to go through the brows and trim overly long strands of hair. The comb will give you more control and guidance when trimming brows.


Tools/supplies that come in handy

Makeup sponges is one of my favourite products to use when applying foundation.  They are simple to use, quick and gives a nice finish.  You can glide the product on or my favourite is to stipple the the foundation on with the sponge.  The corners of the sponge makes it great to get into hard to reach places, such as around the nose, under the eyes and mouth area.

Tip: If you spritz the sponge with a little water before using, it will absorb less product giving you more control on coverage.  Sponges can be washed with a mild soap and reused.

Cosmetic Q-tips are different from regular Q-tips because of the shape and how its made.  Cosmetic Q-tips has a pointy end and a flat oval end.  The cotton is more tightly wound, causing less shedding, which makes it perfect for smudging out eye liner, cleaning up makeup mistakes or even applying eye shadow.

Tip: Use the pointy end of the Q-tip to clean up your winged liner and give it a more precise look. You can also dip the cosmetic Q-tip into some liquid makeup remover for cleaning up any unwanted makeup mistakes.

An eyelash curler can make a world of a difference.  It instantly adds lift and opens up the eyes. Making the lashes look fuller and longer.

Tip: Apply a thin coat of mascara, curl lashes then apply two more coats of mascara.  This technique will hold the curl all day.

The Foundation brush is a great brush for applying liquid and cream foundations, however it can tend to leave streaks (stroke marks) when not used correctly.  When using this type of brush you want to use it in one direction, pulling down following the natural growth pattern of the hairs on your face.  Going against the hairs and sweeping the brush across can leave your foundation looking patchy, streaky and hard to blend.

Tip: This brush is also great for applying your day cream, serums and or primer before makeup application

Nicole Webster  is a professional makeup artist based in Calgary, Alberta in Canada. She is also the beauty Editor for KiK Magazine and regularly writes for the KiK blog and Beauty in Confidence.