Makeup Brushes Are a Must if You Want a Flawless Face!

Is makeup the last thing on your list in the morning? Is it even on the list?

If your cosmetic routine is too complicated for everyday wear, makeup can turn into 'special occasion only' production that will discourage even the most ardent hot mama, despite the fact that there is nothing that will do wonders for your mood and your look faster than a brush of color across your lids, a dab of foundation to cover redness and blemishes, and a quick swab of bronzer or blush. Properly applied, tasteful makeup can easily transform you from frumpy to fabulous, and, with the right tools, it can be a quick and (well, almost) effortless process. Whether you are new to the dizzying array of cosmetic gadgets, or are looking for a way to simplify your stash of sponges and applicators, makeup brushes are indispensable. A basic set should include a foundation, powder, blush or bronzer brush, and an eye shadow brush.

I personally adore my Clinique brushes. I bought my first one three years ago, and while I've gone through dozens of (annoying!) drugstore brushes, the Clinique brushes are still in great shape. If you're on a tight budget, buying a $20 brush now will save you money in the long run.

Foundation and Concealer brushes:

For flawless, even-looking skin, I love the results a foundation brush creates. A one-inch tapered flat-head brush will be the most versatile, although angled versions are available as well. Liquid or cream foundations are best applied with a synthetic brush made from nylon or other fibers. You should select a brush made from natural fibers like sable or squirrel hair for powder formulations. A wide powder brush, like those that are commonly sold with mineral makeup, will give you a light, even base, but for more coverage; you should opt for the narrower, standard foundation brush. Concealer brushes aren't an essential unless you have a lot of concealing to do. Patting on concealer with your ring finger and then blending it in with a foundation brush will be just as effective for most purposes, so for the sake of simplicity, you can pass on getting a separate concealer brush as long as you have a standard-sized foundation brush.

Powder and Blush/Bronzer brushes:

A powder brush is a valuable investment for those with oily skin or who just prefer a matte finish in their makeup. If you use a powder foundation and don't need concealer, you can forgo buying a foundation or concealer brush and just buy a powder brush. On the other hand, if you have dry to normal skin, you probably will never use this tool, as powder can emphasize dryness. Blush and bronzer brushes come in two basic versions: the classic, stubby, wide brush, and a thin fan brush. I recommend buying a dollar store version of each to try before buying the real thing, as the two different types work equally well. Which type is superior is simply a matter of personal preference.

Eye Shadow brushes:

Even if you prefer concealer and a neutral shadow to any sort of blended, colored concoction, having at least one eye shadow brush is a good idea. Using a brush instead of a sponge applicator will give you more control of the amount and placement of your eye shadow. A medium-sized eye shadow brush is all you'll need for applying color, blending, and highlighting. If you like using liquid eyeliner, a small liner brush can be very useful.

When she's not busy mismanaging Make Me a Hot Mama, Alison (AJae) twitters, writes for A is for Activist! | AlisonJerabek.Com and Art. Freakified. | Freak News Daily, and plays mommy to an adorable little boy. In that order. (At least after said adorable boy is tucked into a snuggly bed. ;)
Drop her a line: editor[at]makemeahotmama.com