How To Use Makeup Brushes Like A Pro

Brushes sure make applying your face base easier, but without the faintest idea on how to use 'em, we're missing out on tools that could make a world of difference to our look. It's time to brush up (sorry) on that knowledge, cos your product is only as good as the tool it's applied with FYI. Let us educate you...

Makeup brushes: what's the big deal? Well friends, they allow you to apply exactly the right amount of product you need to achieve the most even finish possible. In other words giving you better control, and basically making you feel like you're Charlotte Tilbury - well almost. A girl can dream, right?

There are a whole load of factors to take into account when choosing your weapons of choice, but as with anything, too much choice is not always a good thing. Many of us end up making do with the brushes already supplied with the palettes we've bought to save the hassle - but these are by no means the best quality ladies!

When it comes to knowing where to start with your ultimate beauty tool kit, you've gotta know the tricks of the trade. And for that we need some expert help tbh. Enter: Celebrity Makeup Artist Francesca Neill, who's here to tell you everything you'll ever need to know - starting with the difference between your Flat Eyeshadow Brush and your Eye Smudger Brush. Yup, apparently there is a difference and it's kinda important too.

Make Up Brushes: The Ultimate Guide

Foundation Brush: Foundation brushes are great for achieving a flawless base. They blend and buff product into the skin resulting in a much easier, smoother and more flawless foundation application and finish.

Concealer Brush: A concealer brush is essential for targeting areas that need extra coverage. It is great to apply and blend the concealer in small areas such as under the eyes and blemishes, allowing imperfections to be concealed in a natural way.

Contour Brush: A contour brush is perfect for sculpting the face creating 3D effect. It is soft and bendable so helps to prevent any harsh lines when contour cream/powder or bronzer is applied. Perfect for enhancing facial structure.

Blusher Brush: A blusher brush applies colour to the apples of the cheeks or cheekbones. The brush hairs are soft allowing the colour to blend seamlessly over the skin. As the brush is quite small in comparison to the powder brush this can also be used to apply highlighter too.

Powder Brush: A powder brush is a slightly larger brush used to set the makeup in place. This is great if you have oily skin, however if you have dryer skin use a smaller setting brush to apply powder just to the T Zone as not everyone needs powder all over. This brush can also be used as a bronzer brush to softly dust bronzer over the face for a sun kissed effect.

Setting Brush: A setting brush is a great all round face brush. It is quite small and fluffy so is great to blend concealer, buff in foundation in hard to get areas, set powder under the eyes and down the t-zone or even apply highlighter. This is a great multipurpose face brush that is super handy to have especially when you are on the go.

Flat Eyeshadow Brush: Great for applying eyeshadow to the eyelids and layering the product for an intense finish.

Eye Smudger Brush: This is perfect for applying colour and definition to the eye socket or along the lash line. It allows you to apply colour to targeted areas and smudge and blend to create the perfect smouldering eye. It is especially great when applying shadow to the lower lash line.

Eyeshadow Blending Brush: The blending brush is perfect for applying soft washes of colour or blending out the eyeshadow for a more smokey look. It softens any harsh lines and blends different colours/textures together easily.

Eye Liner Brush: An eye liner brush applies gel or liquid liner to give a more precise finish. It helps give more control in application. You can also use it with powders too to get a softer line or more subtle effect.

Beauty Blender: A Beauty blender is an all-round great tool to have in your makeup bag. It is great for blending concealer, foundation and pressing on powder. It is fantastic for on the go touch ups and really easy to carry round in your makeup bag if you do not want to take your brushes out with you. You can use this wet or dry to apply your products, both resulting in a seamless finish.

Eyebrow Brush: An eyebrow brush perfectly applies powder or gel products to the brow allowing you to mimic hair strokes, fill in gaps or enhance to shape and shade of your brow.

Lip Brush: A lip brush is great for applying lipstick and gloss. It is especially important when applying the deeper shades as it allows for a more precise application than when applying from the bullet. It is also great for blending and mixing different lip colours together as well as blending out lip liner.

Contour Brush

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How To Clean Makeup Brushes:

It's super important to clean your makeup brushes regularly to stop them becoming a home to microbes, which can cause spots and all other kinds of nasties on your face.

- Wash them with warm water and a mild soap. Alternatively, you can buy makeup brush cleaners in the shops.

- Leave the brushes to dry overnight on top of a towel or tissue.