What These Makeup Tools Are for, and What They’re Called
Cosmetic stores have a huge range of various tools and makeup appliances. Brushes and sponges alone account for several dozens. It might not be clear at first sight what this diversity of tools is for. That’s why we decided to have a closer look at the most popular ones and find out their purpose.
5-Minute Crafts created a compilation of 7 popular makeup tools and are explaining what they’re used for.
1. Eyeshadow applicator
Single-sponge or dual-sponged tip applicators are used for applying eyeshadow.
The big tip is designed for applying shimmering and matte eyeshadow as well as for mixing different shades of a cosmetic product. It’s better to have at least 2 applicators with a big tip — one for dark colors and the other one for light colors.
The small tip is good for applying eyeshadow near the eye line. It can help get a brighter and more saturated eye makeup look. Also, this tip is used for shading the eyeliner and applying eyeshadow to the lower lash line.
2. Curler
Curlers can help give the eyelashes length and volume. It lifts and curls each eyelash, eases the application of mascara, and creates the effect of wide-open eyes. In addition, with curled eyelashes, you can get by with 1 layer of mascara, thus saving a little on the use of cosmetics.
How to use an eyelash curler:
- Open the curler and place your eyelashes into the working area.
- Squeeze the curler carefully and hold it for several seconds.
- Unsqueeze the curler and remove the lashes from the working area.
- Repeat the procedure if necessary.
Pay attention to the fact that metal curlers grip the lashes better than plastic ones. Moreover, stores offer curlers of various models and widths. Try to find the option that will let you grip the largest number of lashes, including the ones in the inner and outer corners of your eyes.
3. Makeup brushes
There are many types of makeup brushes that perform different functions. Here are the main ones:
- Foundation brush: It is used for applying liquid makeup foundation. It helps to smoothly apply the foundation to the skin and gives a more natural look.
- Powder brush: It’s convenient to pick up loose powder with the help of this soft and fluffy brush and evenly distribute it over the face. Also, this brush can be used for blending and dusting off the extra powder.
- Blusher brush: This brush is firmer than a powder brush and eases the application of blush and helps create a more saturated makeup shade.
- Angled brush: This is perfect for contouring and sculpting, shading, and structuring the face.
- Fan-shaped brush: This brush has flat, fan-shaped bristles that are great for blending and shaking off excess powder. It is used for applying powder highlighters and removing any excess from cheeks and under-eye areas.
- Concealer brush: The flat and short brush helps to precisely apply concealer and hide uneven skin, pimples, and dark circles under the eyes.
- Brow brush: This brush with angled bristles is used for attaining the perfect shape and color of the eyebrows as well as for applying eyeliner.
- Lip brush: This brush helps to color the lips better, outline the contour, and evenly distribute the lipstick. As a result, makeup will look much more natural.
4. Sponges
Various makeup sponges help to evenly apply foundation, concealer, BB cream, and other cosmetic products to the face. Sponges are good at blending on large areas of skin and make the surface smoother and more natural. Here are several examples of such sponges:
- Beauty blender: This teardrop-shaped sponge is used for applying a makeup base, concealer, BB cream, serum, and moisturizing products. It absorbs only water, not the cosmetic product, which is why any cosmetic product will stay on your face even longer.
- Wedge-shaped sponge: This has flat edges that let it get to every corner of your face. That’s why it is used to work over small areas such as the nose and the areas around the eyes or brows.
- Pretty puff makeup sponge: This combines the properties of the beauty blender and the wedge-shaped sponge. On the one hand, it is convenient to apply makeup on the entire surface of the face with its help, and on the other hand, it helps to get to hard-to-reach areas.
- Silicone sponge: This is most often flat with rounded edges. It is used only for applying liquid or cream foundation and is not suitable for powder foundation. The silicone in the composition of the sponge doesn’t absorb makeup products, which means that you will avoid, albeit insignificant, loss of cosmetics.
5. Tweezers
The flat and curved tweezers are perfect for correcting eyebrows. Use the tool the following way:
- Take a hot shower to open the spores.
- Take the tweezers and carefully remove excess hair along their growth line, giving your eyebrows the necessary shape.
- Soak the brows with cold water at the end of the procedure to close the pores.
6. Cotton powder puff
Cotton powder puffs are used for applying loose powder. It lets you spend less time applying the product and cover the larger areas of the face. Usually, cotton powder puffs are made from organic cotton fibers, which is why they retain powder well and are good for people with sensitive skin.
7. Brow and lash brush
The brow and lash brush has 2 sides:
- The flexible side is a brush with bristles that shapes and styles brow hair, creating the effect of volume and thickness. It can also be used to blend applied brow products or prepare them for gel application.
- The firm side that looks like a comb helps split eyelashes and remove any clumps of mascara. It can also be used for brows to give them a more neat look.