Different Types of Makeup Brushes Explained

A good collection of brushes is a must-have for every makeup enthusiast. Brushes not only make applying makeup quick and easy, but they also help the product go on smoothly and evenly, creating a more flawless finish. If you’re just getting into makeup, a good set of brushes makes the process much easier. There are several different types of brushes, so it’s important to know which ones to use in your makeup routine in order to avoid using a wrong brush. Here is a selection of essential brushes and their uses to add to your collection as curated by professional, celebrity makeup artists.

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Different Types of Makeup Brushes:

Foundation Brush

Your makeup routine should start off with an even base of the foundation. It can be difficult to apply a liquid foundation correctly without the proper kabuki brush. We have two different types of foundation brushes, one of which is acts like a paintbrush and one of which has a flat top. Both are very useful for getting a flawless finish with your foundation however we prefer the flat brushes with densely packed bristles.

A good flat foundation brush will have straight, flexible but firm bristles that you can use to apply your foundation to your face. It’s essential when using this flat brush that you work the product into the skin to avoid harsh lines or streak marks. When applying the foundation, start by dotting the product on your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin, and then use the brush to blend it over your entire face. Foundation brushes come in different lengths, but the one you choose will depend entirely on personal preference. Some of the come with a short handle and are called kabuki brushes, we however prefer the long handles for a better control. It’s very important to wash your foundation brushes regularly to keep your skin clean and healthy. When you wash the brushes, use your fingers to reshape them as they are drying.

Stippling Brush

This type of stippling brushes create a flawless, airbrushed base with high definition results. It can be used to apply foundation, blush, bronzer, powder, and highlighters. It also is very effective for applying liquid and cream products. There are duo-fibre bristles at the top of the brush, which make for a light, gentle application that looks very natural. These brush ends have a very light and feathery feel.

To use, apply the product to the top of the bristles, and then work it into the skin in circular motions, taking care to really buff out any harsh lines and create an even coverage. You can also use a stippling motion, moving the brush up and down to dot the product onto your face. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure the foundation around your jawline and neck is evenly buffed in for the most airbrushed, natural look. Feel free to apply multiple layers until you reach your desired coverage level. Like a foundation brush, it’s important to wash your stippling brushes regularly to prevent bacteria build-up.

Concealer Brush

After you apply foundation, you can use concealer to cover any imperfections and brighten up dull areas on the face. For the most precise concealer application, you’ll want to use a small flat concealer brush. A concealer brush essentially looks like a very small version of a foundation brushes. It’s shaped like a paintbrush but is slightly denser. When using a concealer brushes, apply a small amount of product to the desired area, and then lightly dab onto your skin until it blends in with your foundation. Do this using small amounts until you have covered the desired imperfections, whether they be acne, dark spots, undereye circles, or something else.

Powder Brush

After applying your base, you may opt to set everything with a layer of loose powder foundation. This powder will help your makeup stay in place throughout the day and give you an even more flawless look. One of the many different types of brushes, a powder brush is very large and fluffy, and it has a domed shape to evenly disperse the product over the face. When using a powder brush, you can apply the product very lightly, as the powder brushes are designed to distribute the product evenly for you. In fact, you should tap off the excess product on the brush before applying it to your face.

Blush Brush

If you’re using a powder blush, it’s absolutely crucial to use a brush to get a gorgeous natural look when applying it. If you don’t use the correct brush when applying this type of product, the result can look very cakey and unnatural. A good blush brush has the same fluffy design as a powder brush, but it is smaller to fit on the cheeks. Some blush brushes have a slight angle to them for a more precise blush application. If you are using a powder blush, you’ll want to start on the apples of the cheeks and gently sweep the brush out towards your temples, concentrating most of the product on the apples. If you’re using a cream blush, you may want to opt for a stippling motion for the most natural effect. When applying blush, it’s always best to start with a small amount and keep building and blending, as this will create the most natural look.

Contour Brush

Contouring is a great way to give your face a naturally sculpted look, but you need a great angled brushes in order to do it. There are many different types of makeup brushes that can be used for contouring, but ideally, you should purchase a brush that is specifically designated for this task instead of using a blush brush or foundation brush. An angled contour brush is about the size of a blush brush, but it has very dense, angled bristles that will create a precise contour application. These contour brushes can be used with either powder or cream contour products. To use, apply the contour to the hollows of your cheeks, and then use a stippling motion to work it into the skin. As the product starts to blend, switch to a circular motion, being careful to keep the product in the appropriate location. You can use this technique on any part of your face you’d like to contour. Many people choose to apply contour to their temples, the sides of their nose, or their jawline for a sleek look.

Bronzer Brush

Bronzer is one of the best ways to get a sunkissed, glowy look – without actually spending time in the sun, which can be harmful to your skin. A bronzer angled brush is similar in shape to a powder brush or an angled blush brush. However, it is very wide and even more fluffy than either of them. This is because bronzer needs to be dispersed very evenly on the skin in order to look natural. If you apply too much bronzer or it isn’t blended out evenly, it can look very harsh, particularly if you have a naturally fair complexion. To successfully apply bronzer, dip the brush in a small amount of the product, and then apply it to your temples, the hollows of your cheeks, and your jawline in a big sweeping motion, making a ‘3′ shape. Be sure to really buff it out so there are no harsh lines left over. After you’ve blended that in, take whatever’s left on the brush and sweep it over your forehead and nose very gently. This technique creates a natural look because it places bronzer on the points of the face where the sun would naturally hit.

Highlight Brush

Highlight brushes look very different from most other types of makeup brushes. They are shaped like a fan and have very thin synthetic bristles. This fan brush shape allows you to apply the glowy product evenly to the tops of your cheekbones – without looking like a disco ball. The highlighter is very trendy at the moment, so this is a great brush to add to your collection. To use, gently pick up a small amount of product with this fluffy brush and sweep it back and forth over the tops of your cheekbones, moving side to side. You can also apply highlight to the tip of your nose and your cupid’s bow for an extra glowy look.

Eyeshadow Brush

To create an intricate eyeshadow look, you’ll need several different types of makeup brushes specifically designed for eyeshadow. These brushes are much smaller and denser than the face brushes previously mentioned in this article. They’re designed for a very precise application of the eyeshadow so you have utmost control.

The first one of these eyeshadow brushes is the flat eyeshadow brush. This is used to apply eyeshadow to the top of your lids, as the name suggests. This brush is very compact and is shaped like a foundation brush, but the bristles are much denser. For the best results, use the brush to pat the shadow onto your lids, applying multiple layers if necessary.

Eyeshadow Crease Brush

This brush is used for applying eyeshadow to the crease of your eyelids. It is very dense and has either an angled or pointed composition for the most precise application possible. It is very important that you apply crease colour with as much control as possible to create your desired look, particularly if you are aiming for a smokey eye or other intricate styles. Start by putting a small amount of your desired crease colour in the creases of your eyelids, focusing more towards the outside of the eye. Run the colour back and forth to create a defined line, and then slowly start to blend the colour in with your lid colour. If you prefer a more pointy option you can opt in for our synthetic pencil brush or tapered brush instead.

Eyeshadow Blending Brush

This is the most versatile of all the eyeshadow brushes. An eyeshadow blending brush can be used in many different ways to create a flawless eye look. You’ll typically want to use your blending brush after you’ve used the lid and contour brushes for the initial application of the eyeshadow. Start by going over your lid and crease colours to blend them together, and to blend out your crease colour so that you remove any harsh lines. It’s important to keep blending even after you think you should stop because it’s easy to miss harsh lines when working in such a detailed area. You can also use your blending brush to apply a highlight shade to your browbone for a little bit of extra glimmer. Since you’ll likely be using a variety of different eyeshadow shades with this brush, it will be helpful to wash it frequently to preserve the integrity of the colours.

Eye Liner Brush

Out of all the different types of makeup brushes, one of the most essential are a good sharp eyeliner brushes. To get an ultra-precise lash line cat eye shape, you’ll need a straight or angled liner brush. While you can achieve a good smokey eye with a pencil liner, it’s hard to get a clear, defined wing shape without using an angled eyeliner brush. An eyeliner brush works well with gel or liquid liners. It is very, very small with a line of short, dense bristles, and is slightly angled for the sharpest wing. To use, start by dipping the brush in the liner after you’ve completed your eyeshadow. You may want to map out a rough idea of where the wings will go with a light coloured eye pencil. The wing should follow the curve of your eye instead of sticking straight out.

Then, using as much control as you can, apply the liner in a wing shape. Afterwards, fill in the liner on top of the eye, connecting it to the wing. You may also want to apply liner to your bottom lashes using the brush if you are creating a very intense eye look. You should use the brush to connect the bottom liner to the top wing, this will make everything look more cohesive. This is one of the most difficult of all the different types of makeup brushes to use, so don’t be concerned if you don’t nail that winged look right away – it may just require some more practice.

Mascara Brush/Wand

Many mascara brands come with a spoolie brush, but it’s helpful to have one on hand just in case. A good mascara wand features a spoolie shape, with small bristles sticking out from the wand in all directions. The synthetic bristles are designed to fit in between your lashes, acting almost as a hairbrush to push them in the right direction and apply the product. The bristles should be firm, as this makes mascara application easier. These wands can also be used to apply eyebrow gel, or just to brush the brow hairs in the same direction and neaten them up. They are also typically less durable than other makeup brushes, so you’ll want to buy them in packs or replace them frequently.

Other important eye makeup brushes include:

Angled brow brush – eyebrow brush, brow bone highlight with angled shape flat bristles

Lip Brush

A lip brushes can make applying your lipstick much easier. This small brush will help you get a crisp, defined line that other women will envy. A lip brush is very small and thin, with a layer of sleek bristles that act like a paintbrush. To use, you’ll want to start by applying a lip liner in a colour similar to your lipstick. This makes it easier to get a clean line with your lip product. Then, just use the lip brush to paint in your lips. You may need to go over your lips a few times with the brush to get the desired pigmentation. This brush can also be used to soften up harsh lines of your lips or even blend two lip colours together for an ombre effect.

Makeup Brush Sets or Kits

Since there are so many different types of brushes you may want to add to your makeup collection, it’s often worth it to buy them in a kit. There are many different makeup brush kits on the market, ranging from face brushes to eye brushes to full deluxe kits that might include lip brush. By purchasing your makeup brush set, you can often get a better deal than buying each of them individually.

 

Finding quality makeup brush set can be difficult, so it’s worth it to take your time and shop around when building your kit. There are several different factors to keep an eye out for when shopping for brushes. The first is the quality of the brush. They should be made with durable bristles that will last through many washings and can support many different kinds of makeup. The handle should also be quite durable – it shouldn’t separate from the bristles easily. Durability is particularly important to consider if you like to travel with your brushes. Many brushes are even specifically designed for travel, with smaller handles that can fit into a makeup bag.

Another thing to consider when looking at different types of makeup brushes is how and where they are produced. With so many different choices on the market, it’s important to choose products that are made ethically. This means choosing brushes that are made from high-quality synthetic materials instead of animal hair and avoiding companies that test on animals. You’ll also want to choose a brush set that is made with ethical labour. Companies with ethical practices care about their employees, and you can feel good about supporting an ethical brand.

 

Finally, you’ll want to purchase your makeup brushes based on the products you have and the products you like to use most often. For example, if you really love eye makeup, it’ll be most important to invest in a set of quality eyeshadow brushes that you can use to create many different looks, whereas if you love face makeup, investing in one or two high-quality stippling or blending brushes may be more effective. You may want to invest in multiple versions of your favourite brushes if you use them very often.

This essential collection of different types of makeup brushes will help you create the makeup looks you want with ease. There are many benefits to using brushes instead of your fingers or plastic applicators to apply your makeup. Not only does it take less time to complete your makeup routine, but it’s also usually more sanitary, as brushes are easier to clean than applicators. It’s important that you wash your brushes regularly – not only will this keep them in the best condition possible, but it also will prevent bacteria from building up on the brush. To wash your brushes, use a gentle cleanser or baby shampoo to rinse out the makeup from the bristles. Work the cleanser into the bristles with your fingers and then swirl the brush in a bowl or on the back of your hand to remove the makeup. Rinse and repeat as many times as needed. Once you’re done washing the brushes, lay them out to try on a paper towel and use your fingers to move them into their original shape.

Another benefit of using makeup brushes is that they create a more precise, flawless finish on your face, which is why they’re so beloved by makeup enthusiasts. Makeup brushes give you a very precise application, which helps the makeup look more natural. Brushes also make it easier to blend harsh lines on the face, because you’ll have more control than if you were using a basic applicator. With a good makeup brush, you can replicate the Instagram beauty trends you love with ease, whether you’re a makeup expert or a beauty newbie.

Makeup Blending Sponge

You have also surely heard about makeup blender sponge. This beauty tool is also an amazing applicator for a liquid foundation.

 

(photo credit Instagram @agabil1)

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When you are looking for the best of the best it takes time and money to find the perfect brush just for you. This post is a roundup of what I consider to be the best or most interesting foundation brushes available to us, I will show you a few pictures, share my own experience with them and also some guidelines in order to help you find the perfect foundation brush just for you.

Foundation application is probably the most complex step of a makeup application, probably the most feared too ! If we go for it, better get it right, we cannot just simply copy someone else’s make up routine, we have to find our very own and as we go along feel what’s right or wrong and fine tune the process. You won’t necessarily need brushes for that, not all the foundations are meant to be applied with them like the Armani Fusion for example. But that’s another story. Don’t please don’t do this at home, you don’t need a hundred brushes to do your foundation, it is just a passion of mine to collect beautiful makeup brushes.

Some foundation brushes are more efficient than others but at the end it will be a matter of following your own preferences and taste. I will show you some of mine which include :

• Stippling brushes
• Mineral foundation brushes
• Flat, semi-flat, round brushes

My life does not depend on foundation application but I do love it, I think there is an intriguing and experimental process behind achieving a great application of foundation, it can be fun and it can sometimes be depressing ! My curiosity and my delicate dry skin motivated me to research for the best foundation brushes and the best way to apply it. You’ll see that it got a bit out of control (again), but I hope that at least my lack of control will benefit you, help you compare the options and guide you in your own research.

There aren’t that many foundation lovers around me, when I ask them why they hate foundation they say: “I don’t want to feel it” or “I don’t want to see it” or “foundation brushes are too rough”.

I am not saying that it’s necessary to go through this step, absolutely not, but if the reason why you don’t apply it is just because of those reasons be aware that today you can apply foundation and still look natural and fresh and for the tools, don’t worry, there is probably the right one just for you.

 

I don’t often use mineral foundation and I don’t often go for more than medium coverage. My needs are those of a woman in her 40’s with extreme dry and sensitive skin who aims for a fresh glowy complexion. Depending on the days I can barely stand to apply make up at all so I need the most efficient tools : the best results possible, in the fewer strokes !

I have tried to pick different types of foundation brushes to guide you in your selection, each one with its own qualities and characteristics, they can really differ in shape, material and it will be up to you to find the one that fits your personal requirements. I don’t have an answer for every situation, if I did, I would not be working in IT !!! Believe me, I wouldn’t.

They can be made of natural bristles, a mix of synthetic and natural hair or only synthetic bristles, so many options are available today and many of them are very good. Do not consider my opinions as expert advice, I will simply share what I think about them and why I love them… or not.

If you are starting

First you want to identify what your profile is (oily, dry, sensitive skin), then what coverage and finish you desire. If you already found a foundation product that is matching what your skin needs, now you can start looking for the right tools. You may think that brushes are very expensive and that the investment may not be worth it, I don’t know about you but I wasted a lot of money on foundation products that didn’t work for me just because I didn’t have the appropriate tools to apply them. I am not saying that brushes will solve all your problems but they definitely will make your life easier, the application more pleasant and they may even save you money in the end.

Targeting a brush adapted to your profile

Many brush companies will not recommend you goat brushes if your skin is dry and sensitive, they will direct you towards synthetic or stippling brushes. They are right but I still found many full goat brushes that are soft enough for me to use on my very dry skin and I have absolute no problem at all. Basically if your skin is sensitive, it shouldn’t be moving around when applying foundation with your brush, it should not feel “molested”, on the other hand using a too soft brush will require many more strokes to blend and you may want to avoid that too since it may also irritate your skin at the end. The right balance would be a brush that is soft enough but still has efficient blending power. I have got some here.

Below, a synthetic brush vs a goat brush, if you want my honest opinion, this synthetic fun brush looks great and has thickness to it, which should be a good thing. It’s not a terrible brush but these two are a world apart.

• This synthetic brush MUFE 108 has interesting fibers, at first they look nice, feel nice, but after you used it once, you don’t want to use it again without washing it before. Reminds me of a dirty kitchen cloth (sorry), absorbing quite a lot of product and getting some sorf of film around the bristles that you don’t necessarily like against your skin. I also find it does move my skin around too much (the bristles have a grip), in normal conditions it’s acceptable but I am prone to migranes and even if I don’t put too much pressure on it, despite the fact the bristles are very soft and don’t poke it still is unpleasant on my sensitive skin.
• The goat brush here is the new Chikuhodo GSN-05, at first it does not look attractive, it’s not white hair, looks a bit yellow-coppery, not the most attractive aspect for some but don’t be afraid of that, this brush is amazing in all aspects, what I want to point out is that this goat brush despite it has darker goat hair, it’is much more pleasant to use than the synthetic for me, more efficient, does not suck product in the bristles and does not feel like a dirty cloth on my face at all, even if I don’t wash it every day, still the same blending power. It does not molest my skin, I don’t need to put a lot of pressure to blend and it doesn’t poke.

Bottom line : Natural or synthetic it will depend on the brush, again it’s a matter of preference and also skin tolerance, some cannot use natural hair at all and some cannot use synthetic.

Targeting liquid or powder foundation 

If you have very dry skin you are less likely to use powder foundation and less likely to go for heavy coverage, in most situtations it will end patchy and not comfortable. Even with the right tools it’s difficult to go against these laws. When I apply a heavy coat of mineral powder foundation on my very dry skin, despite the quality of the powder foundation and the perfect brush, after just a little time my skin starts to beg for help, my wrinkles are maximized and dry patches appear all over, it ages me dramatically. Nice brushes will help but just to a certain point.  Choosing the right skincare and foundation product for your skin profile is even more important, then you can try some foundations at the counters see how they evolve on your skin throughout the day until you find the perfect one for you.

Targeting the coverage you desire

The foundation product you’ll use will really help deliver the coverage and finish you are looking for. In terms of brushes, the denser and flatter the brush, the more coverage it delivers. The fluffier and rounder the brush, the more flexibility you’ll get allowing you to start from sheer and to build up to medium. See it in action with EnKoreMakeup.

Example of round vs flat :

Targeting the finish 

The foundation product will help you a great lot if you want either a glowy or a matte finish. Then, if you are looking for an airbrushed finish, either you pick a brush that can achieve it directly in one step or you’ll need a two-step application, the first to apply, the second to blend/buff. There is no shame in using two different brushes and I will give you some examples where it’s even better : save you product, reduce the washing frequency of the blending  brush. There are many techniques and many ways to get the finish you want, if you watch youtube videos on foundation application you’ll get many ideas.

I always go for a “natural, glowy, airbrushed application” and I takes me 3 minutes more or less. Sometimes I powder when I really need to or when my pores are playing tricks, but it’s rare that I do. If you target the comfort of your skin with the right skincare you’ll have better chances of wearing a wider range of foundation products or finishes but you are still limited with your skin condition.

For a foundation brush to deliver an airbrushed finish it needs to be fluffy, not overly dense, not too flexible, if it’s very soft and too flat it will not fit that purpose. To achieve the best airbrushed finish there isn’t simply a better brush than the Rae Morris Radiance, of course you can get airbrushed finish with others but this one will do it faster =  less strokes. The Radiance looks perfectly flat but it isn’t, the controlled flexibility and placement of the hair does the job perfectly well, you don’t need to put too much pressure on it and that’s the great thing for me.

If you own this brush, my recommendation is to place the foundation roughly with a flat foundation brush before, then use this one only for finishing, it will keep it cleaner -well, less dirty- for longer, you won’t need to wash it as often and it will last you longer. It is insanely expensive so you better take great care of it.

Targeting the best material for you 

I have tried most of the brushes and most of the materials, I know which one is my favorite but every month I may discover new brushes and my preferences may change.

My preferences also change depending on the product I use, one brush will be great for one foundation but could be dreadful for another. The thicker the consistency of the product (the resistance to blend) the thicker the bristles have to be and the more blending power you’ll have to put in your application. If you can find thicker and reasonably firm goat bristles that are very soft then they are very likely to be great for foundation. When I say thick, I mean thick like a Koyudo BP013 and not thin and soft like a Tom Ford blush brush for example.

Your preferences will be based on many different aspects, some materials do not trap as much foundation inside their bristles so better for the wallet, others will make you feel like a diva during application, others will make you feel like a Michael Angelo. Honestly I have two personalities when it comes to foundation application : the rational and the utopian, they cross eventually during the same application routine. I am not totally crazy, I just love to relax and enjoy a make up application, when I have time I play it like Tim Burton when I don’t, I go Fast and Furious 😉

Since I have very delicate skin, most of the brushes I will show you are appropriate for dry and sensitive skin since they are very soft.

General rules, more or less true

• Flat synthetic brushes : deliver sheer coverage, (may) trap less product, (may be) gentle with delicate and dry skin, tend to leave a streaky application that often needs to be perfected with a finishing brush.
• Small brushes : for a whole face application it takes time, effort but will be able to work more in a dimensional way, allowing you to precisely apply different shades of foundation depending on where you want to enhance the highlight or the contour.
• Rounded goat brushes : strong blending power, apply foundation faster, do not often need an additional finishing step.
• Stippling brushes : extremely gentle with the skin and deliver a flawless and glowy finish. 

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How I started with foundation

A few years ago, I first started applying foundation with the Sigma F80 for liquid and the Bare Escentuals for powder. I have used them for years before I even started using anything else, I was quite happy with them until I got older and the Sigma was not delivering the finish I wanted which had to be more flattering and lightweight. The Bare Escentuals was great and I have even went through several pots of mineral foundation but one day I just couldn’t use this brush anymore, it had become too rough and nasty and the ferrule broke.

From the Sigma F80 I went to the Louise Young LY34, it was a fail, it wasn’t delivering the airbrushed application I was looking for. I then switched to the Real Techniques stippling brush that I found better for my needs, the coverage was spot on, the application is quite easy but even though the bristles aren’t rough, they weren’t soft enough for a daily application. That’s why I kept on searching for options.

Link to Green Brush

Then I found the Shu Uemura 18, it was great but just too small. It was taking me ages to apply my foundation. Kept on searching for other options and I found the Tom Ford 02, it was insanely soft but using it everyday was not the best option, I had to wash it so often that I decided I would only use it for contour cream or cream blush, but it’s good for both foundation and cream blush. Then I found the Chikuhodo and Koyudo that are similar to the Shu, but they are the same size so I was facing the same issue with the speed of application. Then came the Koyudo Fu-pa02 ! Imagine when you are looking for a bigger option and you get this Koyudo you just squeek with emotion.

Today, my very top favorite application of liquid foundation is done with either a combination of two brushes, a flat one to place the foundation and a buffing one to give it an airbrushed finish, or to use one that does both the placement and finishing like the Chikuhodo GSN 05 :

Liquid foundation

There are many that I really love to use and experiment with :

• Koyudo Fu-Pa02

  : is soft, firm, very large, extremely pleasant to use and efficient with so many foundations. The best thing to do (again) is to place and roughly spread your foundation with a flat brush (concealer or foundation) and then use this to blend, you will save money and washes.

• Tom Ford 02

  : soft and very pleasant to use but a shame to use on a daily basis. More appropriate for more liquid foundations than thicker ones. Similiar in size than the Chikuhodo GSN-05 but the GSN will work better with a wider range of foundation textures, from very liquid to quite thick.

• Tanseido YGQ 17

  : it’s a bit too floppy to use with foundation, avoid thicker ones. Better for more liquidy foundations or tinted moisturizers. Very soft, the bristles are a bit thicker than their usual white goat blush brushes but I’d rather preferred if it was denser. A good brush for liquid or cream blush though.

• Chikuhodo GSN 05

  : it’s a work horse, doesn’t poke, works with all the foundations I tried.

• Artisan and Artist LQ-11

  : same as the GSN 05, but I don’t know if this one is still available.

• Shu Uemura 18

  : nice little brush, as I said before quite small for the full face.

• Koyudo BP014

  : same as the Chikuhodo and Shu but if I had to keep one it would be the BP014, it is more pleasant on the skin.

• Chikuhodo G-10

  : same as the Koyudo and the Shu.

• Takeda (flat)

  : I bought these two Takeda in Japan, in the TAU boutique in Ginza, there is no specific name, no number on the brushes and I could not find them on their website, if you know what they are and can let us know I would appreciate… Anyway, they are not that amazing but they are different and I was in my research mode. I really didn’t like this flat one at first, I am not blown away by the quality of the hair and the bundle of the head – but – some time ago I was playing with it, used my cream foundation and then I dip this brush into Mac MSF medium plus and applied on top, it was absolutely freaking perfect. When I pair this brush with both liquid and mineral application it is particularly beautiful. Patting the recently stained hair from blending the liquid foundation on Mac Msf powder and finishing the buffing like that did a great job ! Maybe it is supposed to be used wet with powder ? I am afraid I don’t know yet but I will try to spray some water and dip it on MSF for science 🙂

• Taketa (round)

  : I bought it in the Tau boutique, don’t remember the price and actually it looks terrible and doesn’t feel great. I don’t understand the shape of the head, it doesn’t feel nice, too firm and not that pleasant. I still have to find a way to use it but so far I have not been very lucky with it.

I am showing you just 4 of them on their side because they are the most uncommon :

 

The little Houkodou and the Koyudo Fu-pas

I love these brushes, the hair is very soft but still firm and with just enough flexibility to allow a nice flawless blending. You notice the Fu-pa05p has a synthetic side for a more smooth application of foundation, it combines a very soft application and a nice blending power with the goat side. I love to use them just like the Radiance as finishing brushes, specially the three on the left but I can also use them from A to Z. The only problem is that they get more dirty more quickly and that depending on the product you better avoid wasting too much of it.

I don’t experience irritated zones or flaky application but if I don’t use the appropriate foundation and skincare product it may happen, in those circumstances no matter what brush I use the finish will be flaky anyway. If you have oily or combination skin these are really nice brushes to use, on my “just moisturized” greasy skin they take away the excess shine but still leave some glow to the skin.

I took a picture of all the brushes, from left to right from the softest hair to the less soft. You have visual info of what type of softness to expect if you own any of these brushes :

Stippling foundation brushes

The stippling brushes are a great invention. No abbrassion and often you don’t need a finishing brush afterwards. They are really beautiful when they are white synthetic on white goat and now that they are made with red handles they are even more gorgeous… 

 

In this picture you can see where the goat bristles end. The lenght between the end of the goat bristles and the end of the synthetic bristles will serve as shield or “bumper” and will prevent you from putting too much pressure against your skin therefore being less abbrassive. The bigger that stippling lenght, the more gentle the application. The shorter that length the stronger the blending but that is less recommended for delicate and dry skin. 

Depending on the stippling brush I use them for different purposes, the S4001, J4001 I love them specially with cream bronzers, *healthy* finishing powders or creams. They will not easily blend a hard textured foundation but they will deliver a lovely healthy finish with a more sheer application.

The G5556 and S5557 are more appropriate for foundations, the S5557 has a strong blending power, personally I don’t use them in stippling motions but I gently swirl them without putting too much pressure, we often tend to press the brushes too hard against the skin but it’s often not necessary.

The J544 has more firmness and is more densely packed than the J4001, I love it because I can use it for the application of foundation when my skin is really sensitive, it’s more precise than the J4001, soft and with more blending power than these bigger 4001 sisters. Also good for cream blush, you will not hurt yourself with this. I love it more than the Mac 131 because the goat bristles are denser and has more blending power. Although they are both very soft, I prefer how the Hakuhodo white brushes feel on the skin. This one is a crazy brush with a high potential.

The J4002 is denser than the Mac 188sh you see here. The J4002 is a bit more firm than the J4001 and since it’s also smaller you’ll get more precision, I love it for foundation when my skin is not feeling good, it feels extremely gentle and I actually use with with more liquidy and easy to blend foundations, like the Chantecaille Future skin.

I add a pic with the Mac ones in order for you to see the difference:

Thicker bristles in foundation brushes

It’s totally fine and extremely efficient, they just need to be soft enough, these two are. They are the best tools for the application of thicker foundations with a natural finish, also for mineral powder foundations, or cream bronzers (healthy overall application, not precise).

 

The Kihitsu is the best option for a replacement of the Bare Escentuals, the Koyudo BP013 is perfect for my Mac Mineralize cream foundation.

For powder bronzers I would reach more for these :

For the Chanel Bronzer Universel or the Givenchy Croisière this one :

What about flat brushes ?

I am not going to lie to you, I don’t like the finish, if I press too much I don’t like the streaky lines they leave behind and if I want to avoid that impression and press more gently, I feel like the product remains in the surface and I don’t like it either. I use them but I then buff with something else like the Radiance, the Fu-pa07, or the Houkodou for example.

I even got the amazing Kashoen but I have the same issue. I love the way the brush looks and the bristles feel nice but I still want to buff afterwards. It’s ok to leave it like that if you just give it a little bit of work but it will depend on the product and also the situation. If you work on models it’s nice to use flat brushes, probably if you approach them with the giant Radiance they would think their face will be brushed away in one stroke and they will freak out 😀 The flat brushes will certainly also last longer than a soft goat brush, that’s why I think it’s good to have the two-step application : place with a flat, blend with a goat 🙂

 

There are other options of natural/synthetic brushes like the Hakuhodo G520 (weasel-synthetic) and the Evgeny (sable). Both are very soft and both are good for foundation but they will also require a bit of work…

The Hakuhodo G520 I still need to buff afterwards, even though you cannot see huge obvious streaky lines I still like to finish with another one. I feel like a glamorous artist when I use it, you are holding something expensive and you feel it a bit, not sure I would pay again what I paid for it but the quality is outstanding and I already found a great use for this one. The placement and blending of cream/mousse blushes and cream contour “Comanche style”, is really fantastic, you place and blend, I love the precision it allows, precision means dimension to me, and if feels really nice on the skin, pleasant and artistic.

The Evgeny foundation is tiny so not much for the whole face for me, but I have another and an even better purpose for this, I have very hard to pick cream blushes like the Chicca ones (you are even supposed to use a sponge or the fingers), but this brush allows me to pick up the product nicely and apply it, it’s flatish at the surface, the picking of hard blushes is easier. It also feels really nice on the skin, no poking, no wasting product either.

 

 

Size comparison with the Shu 18 :

 

Mineral foundation 

Most of the brushes you can buy in the shops are too rough, not dense enough or they will shed like crazy. It is really worth investing in something soft, efficient and if possible beautiful !

In my hunt for the best mineral foundation brushes, this is what I believe to be some of the most impressive candidates in my collection :

 

• Koyudo BP013 (goat)

  : I use it for Pressed mineral powder, it has enough density and firmness to pick up harder pressed powders (like the Mac MSF) and apply flawlessly, no harsh lines, no muddyness, the blending is totally perfect and it does that without harassing my skin at all. I also use if with cream foundation in compacts (Mac mineralized cream) mostly in winter. It’s also a fantastic finishing brush. For softer pressed powders (like Serge Lutens for example) it will work but it’s better to use a less powerful brush otherwise it may pick too much product that is unnecessary.

• Kihitsu (goat)

  : Same usage as the Koyudo above but it has more flexibility so excellent with loose powders but a bit less good with cream foundations. The Koyudo feels softer on the skin but both are soft enough for me. To work efficienctly with loose powders better if the brush is not too floppy and not too soft either.

• Koyudo Fu-pa14 (squirrel/goat)

  : it’s a very dense brush but very soft and with medium flexibility, that’s for example a great brush for Serge Lutens powder foundation which is pressed but volatile and easy to buff. With any mineral foundation application you have to tap the excess off and preferably follow Bare Escentuals ritual that I love : pat, swirl and tap in a container to avoid wasting product.

• Chikuhodo Temari (goat)

  : this brush is a workhorse, it can do anything related to powder and it exceeds my expectations. It’s goat hair so it’s not as soft as the Fu-pa14 but gosh it’s good. I took it to Spain this summer and I was using this with all the SL products : foundation, then bronzer, then blush. Ok, blush was not applied in a precise mode but I wanted the blush to be more like a halo on top of the cheekbones and the temples for a summery easy look. It was too hot, we were always relaxing at home in the little swimming pool and if we had to go out it was not really a planned thing, the makeup routine was restricted to this brush with the SL, some mascara and lipliner/gloss, then sometimes I added eyeliner and eyeshadow for going out at night. It’s good for loose or for pressed powders. The BP013 is softer but this Temari is a really good mineral foundation brush and more easy to carry than the long handle one.

• Koyudo White Mushroom (goat)

  : it’s extremely soft, the blending power is not as strong but if you want to apply a healthy/sheer coverage with some powder or bronzer that’s a nice one for that. I use it when I want just a healthy looking skin or sometimes I actually like to apply a very sheer layer of liquid foundation with another brush and then with this one apply a sheer layer of mineral foundation (like the SL, soft pressed), still looks natural but it’s a bit more efficient against the pores than using only liquid foundation.

• Hakuhodo Kokutan Kinoko (goat)

  : it has more density than the Chikuhodo Temari, it’s softer too but it has a strong blending power and the application will deliver more coverage, usually the thicker the brush the heavier the coverage. It’s rounded but you can still use it easily in a stippling mode because the surface at the top is flat enough for that. I already mentioned that in the past but I’ll say it again: it has a high level of density but the way the bristles bend and adapt to your skin during the application will make you go “slow motion mode”. The Fu-pa14 and the white mushroom too but this Kokutan has just more massaging power and it makes me chill 😀

• Koyudo H005 (squirrel/goat)

  : more flexibility than the Temari, it’s not just “a kabuki”, it’s a hell of a kabuki. It’s fantastic for so many things, you won’t get heavy coverage but you will get a lovely and flawless application of anything powder. It’s flexible enough to not leave a harsh application and it’s just strong enough to blend.

• Hakuhodo Maple Kinoto (goat)

  : it’s very dense and firm, more coverage, more buffing power, soft bristles but it will deliver a more precise application since it’s not very flexible.

• Koyudo Fu-pa01 (goat)

  : extremely dense, heavy coverage, you can use it in a stippling mode because it doesn’t poke but if you have delicate skin I would recommend you a squirrel brush. I use it mostly to buff the blush harsh lines when I couldn’t stop myself from applying too much and if you want to buff the pores away that’s a great option too.

• Koyudo Deka-fu-pa (goat)

  same as above just a giant version of it.

 

In the next picture, I place some of them ranked by density/flexibility from left to right (the most flexible on the left), it will give you an idea of how they compare to each other:

Here they are ranked by softness of the hair, the softest on the left :

If you are looking for very soft “hair mass” type stippling brushes, the Koyudo H008 and H011 are to die for, it’s difficult to get any better than that but keep in mind the bristles are short and very dense.

I still haven’t found a way to use the Hakuhodo G543 but you see it in the pic for reference.

When I don’t want to bother with a lot of mineral foundation, I apply concealer where I need it (spots, marks, eyes, nose) then I use simply the Chikuhodo Z-1 or the Chikuhodo G-9 for a sheer layer of mineral foundation, as long as they are dense enough to pick up the product and firm enough to softly blend it, it will work. This type of application will be very lightweight but sometimes less is more as they say and when I know I will be standing out in the bright sunlight I prefer to avoid looking like I have any foundation on at all.

The finished application will depend on the density, the firmness, the technique, the product and the material. I don’t have a precise formula but roughtly :

• goat will pick up more product
• a higher density will deliver a heavier application
• stippling technique will also help deliver a more heavy coverage

Sometimes the “softer” way to go is not the better way to go, it’s up to your preferences and the results you need.

There are also loose bronzers but the application is similar to loose powder foundation, these are the ones I like to use with the Guerlain loose :

Synthetic brushes

When it comes to brushes, I have a bit of everything, I use synthetic brushes too but I prefer natural brushes. The Rae Morris 23 here is one that I love like crazy but that I also hate like hell because it’s not made anymore !! I cannot believe that, seriously, we had a great brush here (still room for handle improvement though..) but honestly I think the most sensitive people would adore something like this.

The synthetic ones that I use the most are the Real Techniques, their stippling brush is now a bit too harsh for me but I quite enjoy the Face expert, although it moves my skin a bit too much and the feeling of synthetic bristles is not the most pleasant thing for me… but it’s a great affordable brush.

The Shiseido is a bit too flat and too dense for me and although it’s really soft it also moves my skin too much (obviously it’s something I don’t like…) during application and stippling a flat mass of hair onto my face is not what I love the most, if you are looking for this kind of brush and want something that doesn’t poke then that’s perfect. As I said, it’s often totally linked to your own preferences and something that doesn’t work for me, it will certainly work for others.

In the waiting room..

These are the items that I am still trying to use. The Chanel brush here is really very soft and will not poke at all if you use it in a stippling motion, but I don’t use this technique and I don’t like to use it another way and it takes just forever to dry. Maybe one day I will use it for something, I keep on the research.

The Koyudo Fu-pa03 is too flat for me, it’s bigger than the Sigma F80 and denser. So far I haven’t played with it a lot, the feeling of a mass of synthetic hair on my skin is not my favorite thing, but it’s really very soft and if you use it in a stippling mode with powder you’ll certainly be happy with the results. It’s just something I don’t like to do with my skin condition at this moment. If you have any experience with it, please share !

The BeautyBlender… this is not a brush, what is it doing here ? hmmmm … I have been fighting with this one in order to use it and have it deliver good results. Yes I managed, it took me a while but I got it. What I found is that it doesn’t work well with all foundations and I have to be patient to use it. To be honest with you I feel a bit dumb when I am stippling with this and it makes me do silly faces 😀 not sure why, also I have to be free of migranes because stippling is definitely the technique to use but not a technique I can afford on a daily basis. I love brushes too much also so that’s a bit of a challenge to make me use something else for foundation ! Still under investigation.

I found a brush with similar bristles than the Chanel in a drugstore in Japan and for much cheaper, it’s much smaller but it’s the same fibers. From Felicela and I saw them in Sasa.

 

 

Unfortunatelly, I could not write about every case and situation, not only I have a problem finding free time but also because my skin is playing tricks to me at this moment, I spent some time without my usual moisturizer and it’s not liking it now, playing with too many foundations at this moment would be a dangerous hazard 😀 But now we have the forum, don’t hesitate to ask for advice also over there, many of us use exceptional brushes and I am sure you can get proper advice. By the way, this week I will share 3 little posts with you before I leave on holiday (yes… holiday again!!! but that is an accident).  Those posts are about Kashoen, the Yojiya brushes and some new Koyudo ones 🙂 I am also preparing a post on “brush cleaning” but I am still performing some research and awaiting for some info.

I hope this was helpful and it gave you an idea of what kind of foundation brushes are out there ! (A lot !)

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