Ever wonder what difference it makes which makeup brush you use for what? The brush you use has a lot to do with the final look of your makeup application. Many of you have asked me about the different makeup brushes and their functions. Here is a brief description of the basic makeup brushes out there (from left to right).

1. Small Angle: Create precise lining. Moves fluidly and easily across the upper and lower lash lines. Use with gel, cream or powder liners.
2. Medium Angled Shading: Soft application of color. Use for brow highlighting or to blend the crease.
3. Large Shader: Uniformly cover the whole lid with product. Apply cream shadow base or cream shadow for quick and even coverage.
4. Pencil: Soften and smoke out lines. Soften pencil liners along the top and bottom lash lines, add shadow to line the eyes, or use to highlight inner corner of eyes.
5. Large Angled Contour: Subtle cheek application. Use the angle to softly contour the cheekbone. Can also be used to apply blush.
6. Large Powder: Even powder application. Uniform blending of powder products onto the face and body.
7. Duo Fibre: Creates an airbrush effect onto the skin. Can be used with powder, liquid or cream products.
8. Foundation: Smooth foundation application. Apply liquid or cream products such as foundation and primer.
9. Concealer Brush: Conceal small areas. Conceal the hardest to reach areas such as around the nose and eyes.
10. Tapered Blending: Soft blended crease. Using just the tips to apply color, sweep back and forth through the crease for a diffused and blended finish.
11. Eye Shading: Even application of color. Place color across the whole lid for an even and strong application of product.
12. Eye Liner: Create smooth and even lines. Use with gel or liquid liners.

Some of my favorite brushes include:

Real Technique brushes, and they can be found at Ulta and at Target. I also like the Advanced Airbrush Set at Sephora.

Here’s to being effortlessly beautiful. 🙂