My Favorite Makeup Brushes

Concealer: After I've applied the rest of my make-up, I finish with concealer. I need it mainly around under my eyes and around my nose, but also for the occasional blemish. Instead of using my fingers, I use this brush and dab it lightly around each area and then finish by using my finger to blend it all in to look most natural.I'm definitely not an expert when it comes to make-up, but what I lack in official training, I compensate with my enthusiasm. I love playing with different products and discovering new techniques along the way. I've had the privilege of working with some wonderful make-up artists over the years and tried to absorb as much information as possible each time they worked their magic. I keep my toolkit relatively streamlined, but these are my five make-up brushes that have become essentials.

Angled Eyeliner: When I'm doing a cat eye that I don't want to look too dramatic, I use an angled brush dipped into a gel eyeliner or an eyeshadow that I've dampened slightly. I prefer this to a gel eyeliner since you can make a really straight line with the angled brush and then go over it a few times at the end to smudge it slightly.

Eyeshadow: I never used to wear that much eyeshadow and I think it was because I didn't have the right brush. With good tools, make-up applies more evenly and the color is distributed where you want it. I dip this brush into my eyeshadow, swirl it around on the mirror (or any hard surface to make sure I don't have too much on the brush) and then apply it to my eyelid, using a bunch of small circular motions. I also keep another one of these brushes on hand that I use just for blending, after I've applied the shadow to my lids. 

Lip: There's something about applying lipstick directly from the tube onto your lips that feels glamorous, but when I'm not in a rush, I prefer to use a lipstick brush. After lining my lips with a pencil, I get a little bit of the lipstick onto the brush and paint it on in several sheer coats.

Bronzer: I used to use a big fluffy brush to apply my bronzer, but now use this exclusively. With the angle, it's easier to get it in the exact spots where I want it (from the top of my ear down to the corner of my lips, along my forehead and down my nose) and since it's so precise, I don't have to use as much bronzer.

xoxo,

Joanna