A Guide to Makeup Brushes

Makeup Brushes

The use of brushes in the application of your makeup should not only be reserved for beauty experts and makeup artists. Every girl needs to have a collection of essential brushes in her beauty bag.

Just like a painter makes use of various brushes to help him perfect his art, so too do makeup brushes help you to perfect the application of your makeup. After all, makeup is an art — even though you may sometimes think of it as a chore.

There are many different types of brushes available. From facial brushes to brushes designed for eyes, lips, or specific effects such as contouring and shading. It all depends on what you are looking for and what you need. It is pointless buying every brush ever made, if you're only going to be using two or three. So the golden rule is get what you need and add onto your collection as you need more.

When choosing your brushes, it's easy to get overwhelmed with all these tools and not know which brush is which. These brushes often look very similar; however, they have been designed for very different effects. Granted, you can apply your makeup with limited brushes or no brushes at all, but having the right tools will help you to achieve the right look. Just imagine trying to fix a leaky tap with a screwdriver instead of a wrench.

Before you buy, here are a few brush buying tips:

Invest in a good quality brush or a set of brushes. Although your local supermarket and pharmacy often sell makeup brushes relatively cheap, it is an investment to buy yourself a good quality brush. Especially if you plan on using it every day. A good quality brush costs a little bit more initially, but it will save you money in the long run.
Try before you buy. Most of the larger, reputable cosmetics houses have their own range of good quality brushes available for home use. Before you buy a brush, have a look at it and ensure that it is what you are looking for. If you need help, ask the makeup consultant on hand. If she is unable to give you an answer, take that as your cue that you need to go to another counter.
Inspect the brush. Look for any loose fibers, as these are a definite no-no. Ask if the brush can be washed and whether or not it comes with a guarantee. Brushes, if looked after correctly, can last you up to ten years, so be sure you are buying the best brush for your buck.