Here’s the deal. Unless you’re a professional makeup artist like myself, you don’t really need a collection of 50+ makeup brushes!  However, they are a very important part of your nailing your makeup routine and making sure that your makeup products perform at peak potential!  So today, I’m showing you the 4 face makeup brushes you need.

For today’s post, it is going to be a part one of two.  And we are starting with just FACE brushes. 

You really only NEED between 5-8 total depending on the level and amount of makeup you like to wear.  And like I said, I’m going to narrow it down to the 4 essential ones.  The subject of makeup brushes that you choose to use to paint your face is truly a personal preference.  But today I’m going to give you a soft guideline of some really functional brushes most women could benefit from using.

Fun fact – once I started writing this post I got curious as to how may brushes I actually own. I quit counting after 263 between my studio brushes and my personal ones in my bathroom!! What can I say – brushes are kind of my thing 🙂   

So for the face, there are about 4 types that could cover most of your bases.  

• buffing foundation brush;
• concealer brush;
• powder brush; and
• blush brush.

The Summary

  Today, Jennifer is showing us the 4 face makeup brushes you need

  For each 4 brush type, Jennifer gives us 2 picks to choose from, shoppable inline below

  At the end of the post, Jennifer is sharing a video interview she did with Beth.  So make sure to check it out! 

The 4 Face Makeup Brushes You Need

1. Buffing Foundation Brush

This can be used to apply anything from a BB or CC cream, to a smoothing out a stick or compact foundation, and then of course a liquid foundation.  These types of brushes will always make your cream/liquid foundations look more evenly dispersed than using your fingers.  Buffing foundation brushes will give you an airbrushed effect that won’t end up streaky like bare fingers will!  And if you only wear powder, then of course you don’t need one of these at all!  

My foundation brush picks

1.

Buffing Foundation Brush

e.l.f. Cosmetics

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2.

Pinnacle Foundation Brush

Anisa Beauty

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I usually get asked this question as well…is a sponge better? And in my opinion, no it’s not. This is because they soak up and waste too much product and are harder to get completely clean than a traditional brush so they need to be replaced more often which is not cost effective. 

But I always get challenged on this opinion! So if you love a sponge, go for it 😉 

2. Conclear Brush

I will always suggest a using a concealer brush instead of a finger. Not only does it get product just where you need it in that small area around the eye bed, but it tugs less than your fingers on the delicate skin around the eye.  

Instead of the traditional flat head concealer brush most of us see around though, I suggest getting one that is a tad fluffier. This type of brush will thin out the product better and make it appear more realistic under the eye bed and not so obvious.

If you’re a big fan of dual-purpose brushes, I do own a couple of concealer + foundation brushes in one, like this great one from It Cosmetics.

My Concealer Brush Picks

3.

Mini Complexion Brush

Morphe

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4.

Hot & Flashy Concealer Brush

BK Beauty

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3. Powder Brush

A powder brush is really helpful when you only wear powder foundation or just need to tone down a shiny face! I do not recommend the really huge powder brushes, bemused a smaller-sized powder brush is always easier to control and most of us are not trying to powder our faces in one fail swoop!! Precise application is always key, even for larger areas like the face!

And if you do not want to buy too many brushes, a powder brush can usually double as a bronzer brush. Just make sure you wipe off between your face powder and bronzer. I like this Real Techniques quick brush cleaner to wipe down in between products when you don’t want colors to get mixed together on the brush.

My Powder Brush Picks

5.

Powder Brush #21

Ulta

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6.

Ralph Lauren

Luxe Ball Wand Powder Brush

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4. Blush Brush

 The reason I don’t suggest mixing your powder/bronzer/ and blush all with the same brush is that the cheek area is much smaller! So it needs a tinier brush to put that blush strategically where it needs to go and it doesn’t apply too much blush giving a clown effect all over your face!  I also prefer my blush brushes to be angled because it gives a softer effect and a more lifted look on the cheekbones. 

My Blush Brush Suggestions

7.

Angled Blush Brush

Sonia Kashuk

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8.

Beauty Face Shaping Brush

Fenty

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But again, how much makeup you like to wear and steps you use is the determining factor of how many different styles of brushes you could benefit from using!  Stay tuned for next weeks post on which EYE MAKEUP brushes you should have.

Side note : The first photo of Beth and I applying our face makeup was from an interview I did with her on my YouTube channel! It was all about her journey of starting her blogging career! Be sure to check it out if you haven’t already below.

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