Make-up Brush Guide: Which Brushes You Actually Need

When I did my first training sessions at Art of Colors in Amsterdam, I stood in front of a table full of brushes. And had no clue which one to pick up first. Now I know: you don't need 30 brushes. You need the right six.

Why good brushes make the difference

You can buy the best foundation and the most expensive eyeshadow. With the wrong tools, it still won't look the way you want. A good brush spreads product evenly, blends it in and lets you control how much colour you get. That's not luxury. That's the basics.

The 6 essential brushes

1. Foundation brush or beauty blender

• •What for: applying and blending liquid foundation evenly.
• •My tip: a damp beauty sponge gives you the most natural finish. Want more coverage? Use a flat foundation brush.
• •Beginner mistake: too much product at once. Build it up in thin layers instead.

2. Powder brush

• •What for: setting powder and taking down shine.
• •My tip: big, fluffy and loosely packed. Tap off the extra powder before it goes on your face.
• •Beginner mistake: too much powder looks cakey. Less is more.

3. Contour / bronzer brush

• •What for: bronzer and contour under your cheekbones, on your forehead and along your jaw.
• •My tip: an angled brush, medium density. That gives you the most control.
• •Beginner mistake: harsh lines instead of soft blending. Take your time.

4. Eyeshadow brush (flat)

• •What for: putting eyeshadow on your lid and placing colour.
• •My tip: flat, dense and not too big. Press the colour on gently, don't swipe.
• •Beginner mistake: using one brush for every colour. That just turns into mud.

5. Blending brush

• •What for: blending eyeshadow into the crease and softening the edges.
• •My tip: loose, fluffy, tapered. Small circles in the crease, and patience.
• •Beginner mistake: pressing too hard. Let the brush do the work.

6. Lip brush

• •What for: putting lipstick on precisely, especially bold shades.
• •My tip: small, firm, pointed. Great for a sharp outline without lip liner.
• •Beginner mistake: skipping the brush and going straight from the bullet. That only works with nudes.

Natural hair or synthetic?

Short and honest: for creamy and liquid products (foundation, concealer, lipstick), synthetic brushes are better. They soak up less product. For powders (eyeshadow, blush, powder), natural hair is often softer and blends more nicely. But there are really good synthetic brushes now that can do both.

Care – so your brushes last

Dirty brushes are bad news for your make-up and your skin:

• •Wash them once a week with a gentle brush cleanser or baby shampoo.
• •Gently push the bristles back into shape afterwards.
• •Dry them upside down or flat. Never standing up, or water runs into the handle.

With these six brushes and a bit of practice, you've got everything you need. You don't have to be a make-up artist. You just need the right tools.