Four Must-Have Makeup Tools

If you’re just starting out with makeup or maybe you’ve been smearing on a foundation with your fingers, it’s time for an upgrade. Walking up to the wall of brushes at Sephora can feel similar to looking at the periodic table of elements for the first time. Both experiences lead to the same two questions: what are all of these things and why should I care?

unsplash.com

e different types? Rest assured you do not need to purchase every brush and sponge in stock; however, there are some basic tools that every beginner should experiment with. Here are four makeup tools that everyone should own.

The Makeup Sponge

If it’s your first time experimenting with makeup, you may be skeptical to pick up a weirdly shaped sponge. For decades, makeup artists have been using a slightly dampened sponges to apply foundation. Try picking up a few cheap, wedge-shaped sponges from your drugstore. Soak the sponge in water and squeeze the excess out. The next step is up to personal preference. Some people apply their foundation first with their fingers and then blend it out with a sponge. Other people apply makeup directly to the sponge and then apply it to their face. Personally, I squeeze one or two pumps of foundation onto the back of my hand and use my damp sponge to pick up a little bit of the product and then use dabbing-motions to apply it to my face. This technique always leaves me with a natural-looking finish. Sponges are also great for applying or blending out other cream products, like cream blush, highlighter, or contour. If your feeling ready to splurge on a high-quality makeup sponge, try the highly-rated Beauty Blender from Sephora. A cheaper, yet equally impressive alternative is the Real Techniques Sponge which can be found at Ulta.

The Powder Brush

A large, dome-shaped powder brush is necessary to round out any makeup collection. It can be used to dust any powder on your face, from translucent powder to bronzer, to blush, and more. It’s important to use a powder brush to apply a setting powder over foundation or concealer because it will ensure that your makeup does not budge throughout the day. A good powder brush will disperse your powder so your makeup doesn’t look heavy and unnatural. Additionally, a powder brush can be used at any point in your makeup routine to blend out harsh lines on your face. It can also be used throughout the day to touch up your makeup or to apply a powder to soak up the shiny oils on your face.

The Eyeshadow Blending Brush

From beginners to makeup pros, EVERYONE needs this tool. Whether you’re applying a single eyeshadow or blending out a smoky-eye look, a blending brush is your best friend. The biggest tip a makeup artist will give someone who is experimenting with eyeshadow, is to always blend the shadows. By applying small amounts of color at a time and blending them out with a blending brush, you will achieve a more natural looking end product. A blending brush is capable of producing an unlimited amount of looks. Just remember to wash your brush often so you don’t make the mistake of going to blend a beautiful new eyeshadow look and having it get destroyed by the last color you used!

The Flat Shader Brush

A flat shader brush is an excellent multi-use tool. If you’re running late and want to throw on some makeup, skip the fancy eyeshadow look and apply your single favorite eyeshadow with this brush. This flat shader brush can also be used with your blending brush to accomplish more advanced eyeshadow looks. After blending a darker shadow into your crease with a blending brush, use your flat shader brush to apply a light, shimmery shadow on the inner half of your eye. Pro tip: damper your flat shader brush with water or setting spray before dipping it into the eyeshadow. This will create a more pigmented look and help to avoid eyeshadow fallout, which is when your eyeshadow falls down onto the rest of your face.

Good luck and say hi to Sephora for me!