The makeup brush guide
Which brush does what, synthetic vs natural bristles, the small starter kit that covers almost every look, and how often to wash each brush.
A good brush makes blending easier and products go further. You do not need thirty of them. Once you know what each shape is for, six or seven brushes can handle almost every look, and you can add specialist brushes later if you love them.
Brush shapes and what they do
| Brush | Shape | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Flat foundation brush | Flat, paddle-like | Painting on liquid foundation, then buffing |
| Buffing or kabuki brush | Dense, rounded or flat top | Airbrushed liquid or powder foundation |
| Powder brush | Large, fluffy, round | Setting powder over the whole face |
| Blush brush | Medium, rounded or angled | Blush on the cheeks; see blush placement |
| Angled contour brush | Slanted, medium density | Contour under the cheekbones; see contour and highlight |
| Fan brush | Thin, fan shaped | Light highlighter, sweeping away fallout |
| Concealer brush | Small, flat or tapered | Precise concealer on spots and around the nose |
| Eyeshadow shader | Flat, rounded edge | Packing color onto the lid |
| Blending brush | Fluffy, tapered | Softening eyeshadow in the crease |
| Pencil brush | Small, pointed, dense | Smudging liner, inner corners |
| Angled liner or brow brush | Thin, firm, slanted | Gel liner, filling brows |
| Spoolie | Mascara-wand style | Brushing brows, separating lashes |
Synthetic vs natural bristles
Synthetic bristles are made from materials such as nylon or other fibers. They do not absorb much liquid product, so they work well with liquid and cream formulas, they are easy to clean and they are animal-free. Modern synthetics are also excellent with powders.
Natural hair bristles come from animals. Their structure picks up and diffuses powder well, but they absorb liquids and can be harder to clean. Many people now choose synthetic brushes for ethical reasons as well as performance.
| Synthetic | Natural hair | |
|---|---|---|
| Liquids and creams | Excellent | Can soak up product |
| Powders | Very good | Excellent diffusion |
| Cleaning | Easy, dry fast | Need gentler care |
| Animal-free | Yes | No |
A starter kit
If you are building a kit from scratch, start with these:
- A dense buffing brush for foundation
- A small concealer brush
- A fluffy powder brush
- An angled cheek brush for blush and contour
- A flat eyeshadow shader
- A fluffy blending brush
- An angled brow or liner brush and a spoolie
Add a sponge for a damp, skin-like finish with liquid foundation. Sponges are not brushes, but most kits include one.
How to use brushes well
- Hold brushes further back on the handle for soft, diffused color; closer to the bristles for precision.
- Tap off excess powder before touching your face. It is easier to build color than to remove it.
- Use small circles or windshield-wiper motions to blend, rather than dragging.
- Keep light and dark brushes separate if you can, so a contour brush does not muddy highlighter.
Cleaning schedule
Dirty brushes spread oil, old product and bacteria, which can contribute to breakouts and irritation, and they blend poorly.
| Brush | How often to wash |
|---|---|
| Foundation, concealer and cream brushes, sponges | About weekly |
| Eye brushes | Every week or two, more often if you get eye irritation |
| Powder and cheek brushes | Every two weeks or so |
Wash with a gentle soap or brush cleanser and lukewarm water, keeping water away from the metal ferrule, then dry them flat or bristles-down. Full steps are in caring for your tools.
Never share eye brushes or mascara. Eye infections spread easily through shared makeup tools.
