Two weeks ago I broke down my favourite eye brushes for you in this post and for what use I deemed each best for. This go round I'm getting even more detailed with a face brush breakdown, letting you know which brushes I reach for which products, and in which order. Let's take a look...
Liquid and thinner textured foundation formulas, like MAC Face and Body respond best to buffing brushes in my experience. Something like the Real Techniques Buffing Brush is ideal - it's not too dense that it just moves the product around, and it is synthetic so it doesn't absorb the product.
As mentioned in March's Monthly Must Buy feature, the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush tackles thicker cream and gel formula foundations beautifully. It is a little denser than its cousin the buffing brush, and really allows you to move the thicker texture of something like MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation.
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer responds best to a dense kabuki style brush, like the Sigma F84. It pats in the high coverage yet liquidy concealer in a way that makes it look seamless and not a touch cakey.
Cream blushes are a formula people can struggle with, in a perfect world it seems effortless - just tap on with your fingers right? What happens though when you go to blend with your fingers? You move around all the foundation/concealer/bronzer you spent time perfecting. Instead I reach for a soft short bristled stippling brush like the Real Techniques Stippling Brush. It's so light on the skin that it blends formulas like Bourjois Cream Blush seamlessly without disturbing product underneath.
Similarly to cream blush, setting your makeup with powder can disturb your foundation. When you pair something like MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural with the massively soft and fluffy Real Techniques Powder Brush, you can cover a large amount of your face quickly with soft patting motions, not over applying or moving around anything else.
If you are the type that likes to add a mattifying powder, I prefer spot powdering with a smaller tapered brush like the Real Techniques Setting Brush or Contour Brush. Paired with a product like Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, they get under the eyes, and apply just the right amount to forehead, around the nose and chin.
I doubt I'll ever reach for another brush other than the Real Techniques Multi Task Brush for bronzer application. It buffs on the product smoothly with effortless blending and makes my favourite bronzer, Tarte's Park Avenue Princess Matte Waterproof look flawless and never patchy.
When it comes to powder blush like MAC Immortal Flower shown here, I really prefer a small flat natural bristled brush like Tarte's Blush Brush. It's blends colour on to the cheeks without getting it everywhere. The small shape means you get precise application and the softness of the bristles means you never have racing stripes!
Finally but not to be forgotten is highlighting powder, like theBalm's Mary-Lou Manizer. I prefer a super soft, sparsely bristled brush like this Coastal Scents Fan Brush. A quick swipe over the product doesn't pick up too much product and the shape fits the top of your cheekbones without even trying. Dust a little along the bridge of the nose and cupids bow and call it a day!
There you have it, a pretty in depth lengthy post about why I reach for what face brush. Of course it isn't to say you can't mix and match brushes for your own purpose, but over time I have just found these are the best tools for the job. I rarely reach for any other brushes in my collection.
What is your favourite face brush that you wouldn't want to be without? Have you tried any of the brushes mentioned?
