Makeup Basics 101: The Face – Brushes

by Aisling Douglas

The cosmetic section of the face is now complete! Before moving onto other areas, let’s take a look at the common brushes for the skin, their fuses and application techniques.

Foundation

• Stippling Brush – My #1 pick for liquid foundation. It has white bristles that are less dense than the top of the brush and it extends past the black bristles. Basically you are getting an ‘HD’ look as it is ‘pixelating’ the effect on your skin. (think more pixels = clearer look, much like TV) Using this brush properly can give you an airbrushed look.
• Take a dime-sized amount of foundation and place on a flat palette or the back of your hand and lightly dab the stipping brush into the liquid foundation. The foundation should not even come close to the black bristles. Lightly dab all over your face until the foundation is blended.

Do NOT swirl the stipplingbrush. This is a common mistake that many make!

• MAC #187, Sephora #44, Sigma F55, E.L.F cosmetics Stippling Brush

• Foundation Brush – Traditionally meant for liquid foundation, I personally use it for mousse foundation or primer. Whatever your product of choice, place a small amount on the back of your hand and dip in the foundation brush. Using downward strokes, apply the foundation. This brush uses more foundation than the stippling brush, but with patience and care it will give you a great look!
• Lancome #2, Annabelle A-25, MAC #190

• Concealer Brush – Used to apply liquid/cream concealers to the face. It is best when it is a synthetic brush. Simply take some concealer on the back of your hand (or you may use directly from the pot, but be sure to wash your brush and no sharing!) and dip the concealer brush in the product. Apply a very thin layer of concealer to the discoloration. If more is needed, build the color by repeating.
• e.l.f. Studio Concealer Brush

• Kabuki Brush – An essential for mineral makeup! Dip the brush in the mineral powder and apply to the face in a circular motion. It is the circular motion that makes all the difference!
• Bare Escentuals Full Coverage Kabuki Brush, Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki - F80, Sigma Hollywood Glamour Retractable Kabuki,

Blush/FinishingBrushes

Blush brushes are often called blush/powderbrushes. They have multiple uses including using them for finishing powders.

• Regular/Round brushes – Now some may disagree, but most round blush brushes do the same job. Some are bigger, some are smaller, but in the end they do they same thing. Whether cream or powder, lightly dip your favourite blush brush in the blush and beginning at the apples of the cheeks, stipple or swirl on the colour. Blush is about preference more then technique, so just try it out!

• Flat top brushes – Same as above but no swirling.

• Angled blush brushes – Better for contouring which we will explore in more detailed articles.

Asalways, keep coming back to Habibi Halaqas for more information on beautybasics. Leave your questions below and I’ll do my best to get back to you!Until next time ladies, happy makeup-ing!

Posted in: Beauty