How to Choose Makeup Brushes

Sometimes, it’s hard to imagine that you can learn to do your own makeup just as well as any professional makeup artist. This process is quite difficult and it requires a lot of different tools and products. But once you learn even the most basic makeup skills, you will realize that the whole thing is not impossible to do. The first step is to get the necessary brushes.

We at 5-Minute Crafts have thoroughly checked our makeup bags, consulted professional makeup artists, and are now ready to tell you about the purposes of different makeup brushes and how to take care of them.

What materials to choose

There are natural and synthetic makeup brushes. The natural ones are made of sable, squirrel, and goat wool. These brushes are more expensive, they feel better, and they are great for shading.

• Use natural brushes for shades, powder, dry blush, and bronzers.

As for synthetic brushes, they are usually made of nylon and polyester. Synthetic brushes are not as soft as natural ones. They are more affordable, so they can be replaced more often. Thanks to their synthetic materials, they are easier to shape.

• Use synthetic brushes for beauty products with a liquid, creamy, or gel-like texture. For example, for foundations, creamy blush, and highlighters.

For foundation

Use big slanted synthetic brushes to apply foundation. Thanks to the shape, they will allow you to apply creamy substances in thin layers, hiding the imperfections.

For concealer

The double brush in the picture above is used for concealer and can also be used for the foundation. Because it’s supposed to be used with creamy and liquid substances, this brush has to be synthetic. It’s flat with a rounded tip.

For blush

If you use dry blush, choose natural brushes. The brush has to be rounded, soft, and fluffy.

For highlighter

This is another natural brush, it’s flat and medium-sized. Use thin brushes for applying blush and dry highlighters.

For powder

Powder brushes are the biggest and they should be made of natural materials. They are good for all sorts of powders. You can also use these brushes for dry blush, highlighters, and bronzers.

For shades

Natural brushes for eyeshadow are great for dry beauty products for eyes. They are not good for drawing small details. Use sharper brushes for this purpose.

For eyeliner

Synthetic slanted brushes are good for eyeliners. This brush has longer fibers than an eyebrow brush.

For eyebrows

This is another synthetic slanted brush with shorter fibers. Use it to shape the eyebrows and add finishing touches.

How to wash the brushes

• The first thing you need to know is that makeup brushes should be washed at least once a week. Otherwise, there might be dangerous bacteria on them.

In order to wash makeup brushes, follow these general recommendations.

• Wet the brush with water.
• Take the product you’re going to use to wash the brushes and put it on a special brush for washing the brushes, or simply on your palm.

• Dip the brush in the washing product, and rotate it to make sure the product gets in between the fibers.

• After that, wash the brush in cold, clean water. Keep the metal part and the handle from getting wet.

• If needed, repeat the process.

• Remove the excess water, shape the brushes correctly, and dry them in a horizontal position.

What products to choose

Micellar water is a great tool for washing brushes but it’s also pretty expensive.

You can also use cleansing foam and it doesn’t have to be very expensive.

If you want to make sure all the bacteria is gone, use a 9% vinegar and water solution. To make it, mix water and vinegar in a 1:2 proportion.

You can also use regular anti-bacterial liquid soap.

You can also use mild hair shampoo, like one for children.

To clean the brushes, you can also use a dish detergent mixed with olive oil. To make the solution, mix the detergent and the oil in a 2:1 proportion.