If you’ve ever witnessed a professional makeup artist unpack their arsenal of brushes, it can be seriously intimidating. What are all those different makeup brushes for, and what makeup brushes are used for what? To help demystify the dizzying array of makeup brushes on the market, we’ve put together a makeup brushes guide with everything you need to know. Here are the makeup brushes and uses that we’ll break down for you:
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First up in our makeup brushes guide is a basic foundation brush, which you’ll want to invest in to expertly apply liquid foundation. The best options have a medium-sized, densely bristled head that smoothly blends on foundation for a natural-looking finish.
Try the IMAGE Skincare BEAUTY Flawless Foundation Brush, which has an angled brush head designed to hug the contours of your face. If a sponge is more your style, you can check out the Sigma Beauty 3DHD Blender, which lets you stipple and blend either cream or liquid foundation with ease.
A concealer brush has a small brush head with densely packed bristles to smoothly and precisely apply cream or liquid concealer under your eyes, onto blemishes and anywhere else you’d like to camouflage redness or discoloration.
Try the Youngblood Luxe Precision Concealer Brush. This hand-made, artist-quality brush features an angled tip of synthetic fibers that’s just right for applying concealer everywhere from the inner corners under your eyes to the creases around your nose.
A powder brush has a large, dome-shaped head of fluffy bristles to softly distribute powder across your face. When loading powder onto your brush, you’ll want to hold it perpendicular to your powder compact—as opposed to on an angle—to evenly coat the bristle ends before gently dusting it all over your face.
Try Koh Gen Do Powder Brush, which has supersoft synthetic bristles that work well with either loose or pressed face powder.
A blush brush is smaller in size than a powder brush but also has fluffy bristles and a round head. You can use it to apply powder blush to the apples of your cheeks, and it can also work well for dusting on bronzer as well.
Try the RMS Beauty Skin2Skin Blush Brush, which boasts two kinds of bristles for an expert application of blush. Supersoft white bristles dust on just the right amount of product while a layer of denser bristles below help blend to create a natural look.
If you’re into contouring, you’ll want to have this brush in your makeup kit. Most contouring brushes feature a slanted brush shape and dense bristles to sweep bronzing powder in just the right spots along your jawline and cheekbones.
Try the Sigma Beauty F40 Large Angled Contour Brush, which features antimicrobial bristles made from synthetic fibers and a handle made from responsibly sourced wood (pictured above). You can pair it with the Sigma Beauty F05 Small Contour Brush to buff and blend your powder contour for the perfect finish.
For professional-level application, you’ll want to upgrade from those teeny-tiny travel brushes that come included in eyeshadow palettes. Eyeshadow brushes come in an array of shapes and sizes, from rounded to angled. A round, oval-shaped brush works well for sweeping shadow across your lid, but you’ll want to use a tapered brush to apply shadow to the crease.
Try the Osmosis Colour Oval Shadow Brush to apply highlighter to your brow bone or sweep color across your eyelids (pictured above). For a smoky eye look or brushing shadow into the crease of your eyelid, the Osmosis Color Contour Shadow Brush has a pointed brush head for precise application.
If you’d like to try the sleek, long-wearing look of gel eyeliner, you’ll need an eyeliner brush, which has a long, thin handle and an even thinner brush tip. All you have to do is open up your eyeliner pot, load some color onto your brush and exhale as you line your eyelid to help keep a steady hand.
Try the Antonym Eyeliner Brush #14, which features synthetic bristles that are laser-cut to create a superfine tip.
One all-star brush to have in your makeup arsenal is brow and lash brush. This type of brush has a spoolie tip that’s perfect for separating eyelashes after applying mascara or combing up your brows for maximum definition.
Try the Sigma Beauty E80 Brow and Lash Brush, which has antimicrobial synthetic bristles to tame flyaway brows and comb through eyelashes.
For a precisely defined lip, using a lip brush to apply color from a tube or palette can make all the difference. The best lip brushes have a densely packed head of bristles with a tapered end to closely and cleanly apply lipstick to your Cupid’s bow and the corners of your lips.
Try the SENNA Retractable Lip 42 Pro Makeup Brush, which is especially convenient for travel thanks to its retractable brush head.
If you’ve already collected the basic brushes mentioned above, adding a fan brush to your makeup toolkit is a fun and useful addition. Fan brushes come in a variety of sizes and have a flat, wedge-shaped head of soft bristles well-suited to applying shimmery highlighter, bronzer and blush.
Try the Glo Skin Beauty Fan Highlighter Brush to sweep on pearlescent powder or glow-inducing bronzer to your cheekbones. A small fan brush, such as the Sigma Beauty E04 Lash Fan Brush, can also be useful for applying loose glitter to eyelashes or brushing away fallen eyeshadow particles from under your eyes after application.
A kabuki brush has a wide, shallow head of densely packed bristles ideal for dusting loose powders or cream-to-powder foundation formulas onto the face. Kabuki brushes tend to be denser and less fluffy than traditional powder brushes. They also often have a short base to hold onto instead of a long, thin handle.
Try the jane iredale Rose Gold Kabuki Brush, which has a rounded head of bristles and a beautiful rose gold base.
When was the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes? This seemingly small habit has a significant impact on your skin's health. Makeup brushes come into frequent contact with your skin, makeup products, and the surrounding environment, making them a prime location for bacterial growth. But what bacteria can thrive on your brushes, and what are the consequences for your health? This article explores these questions, supported by authoritative studies, and provides actionable tips to keep your brushes—and your skin—clean and healthy.
The way you use and store makeup brushes plays a crucial role in bacterial growth. Common behaviors that contribute to contamination include:
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Infrequent Cleaning: According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology, more than 70% of makeup users clean their brushes less than once a month, leading to significant bacterial buildup.
Moist Environments: Storing brushes in damp places or using them with liquid-based products creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
Skin Contact and Dead Cells: Brushes pick up oils, dead skin cells, and sweat, which provide nutrients for bacteria.
Sharing Brushes: Sharing makeup brushes increases the risk of cross-contamination with other people's skin bacteria.
Research has identified several types of bacteria and pathogens commonly found on makeup brushes:
Staphylococcus aureus: Found in 34% of tested brushes in a study by the American Society for Microbiology (), this bacterium can cause infections, boils, and even cellulitis if introduced into open wounds.
Escherichia coli (E. coli): Linked to poor hygiene practices, E. coli on brushes can result in gastrointestinal and skin infections (Journal of Clinical Microbiology, ).
Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Frequently found in damp brushes, this bacterium can cause severe skin infections, especially in individuals with compromised immune systems (Clinical Infectious Diseases, ).
Candida albicans: Makeup brushes contaminated with this yeast can exacerbate fungal infections, including oral thrush and skin candidiasis (Mycological Research, ).
Using contaminated makeup brushes can lead to a variety of skin and systemic issues:
Acne and Breakouts: Bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus can clog pores and worsen acne.
Skin Infections: Conditions such as folliculitis and impetigo can arise from repeated exposure to harmful microbes.
Eye Infections: Brushes used near the eyes can transfer bacteria like Pseudomonas, causing conjunctivitis or styes.
Allergic Reactions: Bacterial byproducts can irritate sensitive skin, leading to redness, swelling, or rashes.
Systemic Infections: In severe cases, bacteria like E. coli can enter the bloodstream through small cuts or abrasions, leading to life-threatening infections.
Frequency: Clean brushes used for liquid products weekly, while powder brushes can be cleaned every two weeks.
Methods: Use a gentle brush cleanser or a mix of warm water and mild soap. Ensure thorough rinsing to remove residue.
Isopropyl Alcohol: Spraying brushes with 70% isopropyl alcohol after each use significantly reduces bacterial load (Dermatology Research and Practice, ).
UV Sterilizers: Studies have shown that UV-C light effectively kills up to 99.9% of bacteria on makeup brushes (Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, ).
Avoid Damp Environments: Store brushes in a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent the growth of moisture-loving bacteria.
Individual Cases: Use protective brush cases to minimize exposure to dust and airborne microbes.
Even with proper cleaning, brushes degrade over time and become harder to sanitize effectively. Replace brushes every 6 to 12 months, depending on usage.
Makeup brushes are essential tools in achieving flawless makeup looks, but their hygiene should never be overlooked. Unclean brushes harbor a range of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli, which can lead to severe skin and health issues. By adopting regular cleaning routines, using disinfectants, and storing brushes properly, you can significantly reduce bacterial growth and protect your skin's health.
Keeping your makeup brushes clean is not just a beauty routine—it's a vital step in maintaining overall skin wellness.
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