Top 5 Faves // Brushes
Good quality makeup brushes are important.
If you want to boost your makeup game to the next level, but you're still using that unknown brush that you found in your drawer 6 years ago, it's time to upgrade.
With so many brands coming out with brush sets these days, it's easy to get lost in a sea of brushes. That's where I come in.
Keep reading to find out which 5 brushes I can't live without and why.
Btw, these are all great for new MUA's starting to build their kits and brush collections.
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$17 USD // ~$21 CAD
A large, fluffy, blending brush is the #1 most important brush that you need to invest in. When it comes to eyeshadow, you can do every step the same way as a professional Makeup Artist, but if you can't properly blend your shadows, your look will never come out how you want it to.
I learned this when I got my first set of quality brushes - a holiday brush set from MAC. I never understood why my eyeshadow wouldn't look like Desi herself beat my face. Then I did the same techniques with professional brushes and voila, my eyeshadow looked damn good.
The Sigma E40 is the perfect size for blending your transition shade, or going over your shadows after each step and just making sure everything is blended to perfection.
There are a ton of different blending brushes you can get, from the MAC 217, to the Morphe M510 (which is $8 USD), I just got the Sigma first and have stuck with it ever since.
$15 USD // ~$19 CAD
A pencil brush is another staple to have in your set. It's shape and firmness allow for the perfect application of shadow on the bottom and top lash lines, or even packing on shadow in the outer and inner corners. It's called a pencil brush for a reason - it's shape mimics a pencil to give you precision when you need it.
I originally had the MAC pencil brush, but replaced it with the Sigma when I lost it... (convinced someone stole it). They both felt the same in my hand and applied product the same, so go for Sigma or Morphe (they're cheaper than MAC).
$4 USD // ~$6 CAD
Elf brushes are extremely underrated. They're pretty amazing given the price point. This brush, along with another elf brush that's next on this list, are both called "blush" brushes - but in my kit, they serve different purposes.
This brush is my contour brush. The angle is the perfect shape to fit nicely into the hollows of the cheeks and forehead and is just the right amount of fluffy to blend contour powder beautifully. The size is also ideal, as its the perfect medium - too big and your contour powder will be too dispersed, losing the effect of a contoured cheek; too small and you'll have to work a bit harder to blend your product.
$3 USD // ~$5 CAD
Like I said above, this pick is also called a blush brush, though, I don't use it for blush. This brush is my highlight brush. Not highlight like the shimmer - I use a fan brush for that - but the lighter shade to contrast with the contour - my favourite powder for this is banana by Anastasia Beverly Hills.
This brush fits perfectly under the eyes, along the bridge of the nose, on the chin and in the centre of the forehead. I can use my banana powder to set concealer, brighten in spots where I need to, or I use the brush to dust away excess powder when I bake.
Another brush that's great for this is the Real Techniques Setting Brush ($10 CAD). I have both in my kit, though I prefer the e.l.f. brush since it's a tad bit bigger.
Of course you can use this brush for it's intended purpose, blush, as well as anything else.
The great thing about brushes is that you don't have to follow the rules - you can use any brush for any purpose.
$20 USD // $28 CAD
Yes, this isn't a brush, but I cannot imagine working on a client or myself without a beauty blender handy.
Sure, you can use a brush (like the Sigma F80) to blend your foundation or concealer (Real Techniques Sculpting Brush is amazing for buffing in concealer), but nothing beats a Beauty Blender - and not just any beauty sponge from other brands, specifically the original Beauty Blender.
There are a few reasons why I prefer a Beauty Blender:
Blending foundation and concealer takes a fraction of the time and always comes out looking airbrushed.
Since the blender is used when damp, it adds extra moisture to the skin - great for when clients have drier skin, or if you want to achieve that effortlessly dewy look.
I've tried some, but not all, blending sponges from other brands and none compare to the original Beauty Blender. Something about the material of the sponge itself makes a huge difference when blending product and the outcome.
I also use a blender to apply cream contour products, cream blush and to bake - The damp blender picks up the most amount of powder and places it precisely where I want it to, with the least amount of fall out.
Now, using a Beauty Blender on clients means you need to be extra sanitary. Bacteria grows in damp places, so be sure to clean your blender after every use and keep it in a dry place.
There you have it! My 5 favourite brushes.
These 5 are great to start off your kit - but don't get me wrong there are MANY more key brushes to invest in, especially for professional makeup application.
Hope this helps!
Follow your girl on insta for some makeup inspo ;) @makeupbydsondak
xx Dana
