If you aren't sure how to use makeup brushes, look at the cheap ones that come along with inexpensive drugstore makeup. They're usually made of plastic, and are usually coarser than they should be, with uneven bristle lengths. They may come apart even as you use them, scattering occasional bristles throughout your makeup or on your face. Basically, cheap makeup brushes are like the bolts that come with some assembly kits: the cheapest available products that make it look like you're getting a discount.

--Editors Tip ----------------------------------------------------------------------

The importance of using makeup brushes and/or Saving Money on Professional Cosmetic Brushes.

Great makeup brushes don't have to cost a fortune: but they have to last and make you look terrific. You can find professional cosmetic brushes online for a fraction of the price you would spend on brushes found in a traditional beauty supply store. Don't ever cheat yourself out of a makeup brush: the right brush puts makeup on the right way; no finger smudging or messing around with shedding Q tips or ratty cotton balls. When you use makeup brushes, you take your look to the next level: a high quality professional makeup brush makes a difference in the way your makeup goes on and stays on. It's a difference you can see!

Learn how to save money on Professional Cosmetic Brushes.

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Different makeups need different brushes. Mineral makeup actually has speciality brushes that evenly distribute the natural minerals. Eye liner goes on with small, thinner brushes to accommodate thin liquid eyeliner makeup. Because you're using them at close range and need a steady hand, it helps to buy an eyeliner brush with very thin bristles and a thicker handle, making it easier to grasp and guide the brush. These tiny brushes are often made of sable. Using your finger to apply layers of eye shadow is messy and clumsy: get several medium-small brushes for layering on small amounts of shadow. Remember, life doesn't come with an air brush! Make sure your eye makeup is as perfect as possible by using the right tools to apply it. And if you you’re your makeup brushes to the gym or work with you, get a brush bag that can roll into a small enough travel size to fit easily into your tote while protecting your brushes.

Concealer brushes are about the same size as eye makeup brushes, and may sometimes be made of sponge instead of natural hair. If you use a heavier concealer, a sponge brush may be useful for dragging across the stick and smoothing the concealer before applying it. For liquid concealer such as that by Chanel, use a smaller brush.

Foundation and blush or bronzer brushes are thicker, with longer bristles and flat tops just right for putting color where you want it. They're for applying and blending larger amounts of liquid or powder makeup, and for creating a contour. Powder brushes, also called kabuki brushes, are ideal for brushing on either ordinary face powder or ultrafine mineral makeup, Like Bare Essentials. If you can only have one brush in your makeup bag, make it a fluffy powder brush, because there's nothing better than a brush that blends the perfect finish.

High quality, natural hair brushes are made from animal hair, which is graded by length, evenness of cut and fineness. Some of the best powder brushes are made from badger hair: sable is often used for smaller, finer brushes because of its silky texture. Squirrel hair is quite expensive, and may even be mixed with cheaper but also very fine pony hair. Handmade goat hair brushes are also popular, being nearly as fine as squirrel.

If you're looking for quality, check out designer brushes and kits from Kevyn Aucoin, Bobbi Brown or Giorgio Armani. If the idea of using animal hair for brushes troubles you, feel free to buy synthetic brushes: new synthetics such as Taklon make perfectly fine brushes as well. If you're doing other people's makeup, you may be looking for disposable makeup brushes. You will probably be able to get away with buying less expensive ones, since you'll be throwing them after one use. Get a refillable holder for keeping the brushes while you work, so they won't get mixed up as you use them.
 

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