No artist is complete without the right tools, and that’s why you need all the best brushes for your makeup looks. Your brushes will become your best friends, letting you express yourself and create stunning looks you didn’t even know you were capable of. But with so many options, how do you even know what makeup brushes to buy?
You may have gone to the local makeup counter, seen around 500 different brushes on display and wondered which ones you needed. Or just tried to stop yourself from buying them all right there. Either way… very relatable. But there are definitely a few that any beauty enthusiast needs in their vanity, whether they’re a beginner or a pro MUA. Read on for the top 6 makeup brushes you need in your collection.
1. Kabuki Brush
This brush isn’t just fun to say, it’s also versatile and extremely easy to use. Named after the Kabuki Japanese drama theater that features actors wearing heavy makeup, this brush has a flat top and voluminous bristles to evenly distribute product across the face. Setting powder, bronzer, blush… the Kabuki brush is ideal for applying powder across large surfaces of the skin – including the neck area that people often forget to blend.
You know that dewy, almost airbrushed look you see all the Instagram models wearing? They probably got it with this brush. Every beauty enthusiast needs a kabuki to achieve that flawless finish.
2. Flat Concealer Brush
There are no rules in makeup, and nothing proves it quite like the flat concealer brush. While this tool is perfect to dip into your concealer and blend the dark circles away, it can also be used for eyeshadow, contouring and more. The small, flat and slightly tapered bristles make it easy to reach the small crevices of your face, such as the eye and nose area. That means you’ll never have to worry about highlighting the brow bone or an unblended nose contour ever again.
This brush is truly one of the most versatile you can get, as it can even be used for your most advanced eye makeup looks. For instance, use it to pat shadow into the center of your eyelid while doing a halo eye, or add a bit of product to your lower lash line to make your eyes pop.
3. Angled Liner Brush
One of the best beauty tips is to know your angles… literally. Choose an angled brush with stiff, slanted bristles to do all the work for you – allowing for extreme precision and control while applying your liner or doing your brows. It’s a must-have for winged eyeliner enthusiasts, as the slanted bristles let you create the perfect wing in just a few short strokes.
Of course, you can’t forget the brows – and this brush certainly doesn’t. Dip the slanted bristles into some brow powder for your most incredible arches ever. Many angled brushes are even sold alongside spoolie brushes for the best brow brush duo ever.
4. Blush Brush
Some classics will never go out of style, like a traditional blush brush. You see, blush is one of the products that can make or break your look. The right brush can make the difference between subtle rosy cheeks and clown makeup, and it’s important to grab the right tool to complete your collection. The ideal blush brush is roughly the same width as the apple of your cheek, slightly domed, and has loosely-packed bristles to evenly distribute the right amount of color. It’s also great for contouring your cheeks!
5. Small Eyeshadow Brush
Eyeshadow is one of the best makeup products there is. You can combine multiple hues for a vivid spectrum of color that’s uniquely you, or just apply a simple wash of shimmer over your lids to instantly look more awake and glowing. Whether you’re a shadow pro or just like a little sparkle on your lids, you need a small eyeshadow brush for eyes that mesmerize.
The eye area isn’t always easy, as it features a variety of small spaces like your inner corners and lower lash line. That’s why you need a little brush for the harder to reach spots. Try and find a shadow brush with soft, dense bristles and a rounded tip – one that can easily blend out eyeshadow on your lid, apply a small pop of shimmer to your inner corners or highlight the delicate brow bone.
6. Tapered Eyeshadow Brush
When in doubt, blend it out. There’s nothing worse than unblended eyeshadow, and you need to invest in the right tools to take your eyeshadow look to the next level. You know what that means? A tapered blending brush! There are so many options for shadow brushes, but this one can take your look from “meh” to “magnificent” in just a few quick swirls.
Try to find a brush with a long handle, as you’ll want plenty of room to grip as you blend your heart out, and a tapered tip with loosely-packed bristles. Many brushes will simply smear or move your shadow around on the eyelid, but the tapered tip will ensure that it’s properly blended for Instagram-worthy eyeshadow looks. Your eyelids are a canvas, and you’ll be a work of art with this beautiful brush.
