No makeup application is perfect without the use of tools and makeup brushes. So before we start
applying, here are a few tips on how to find the most perfect
Makeup Brush.
Finding The Best Quality Makeup Brush
When looking for a makeup brush,
make sure it passes this criteria before spending your money.
First of all, make sure the brush
is not made out of synthetic or man made hair. You can tell by
the super glossy surface of the hairs, and the slight coarseness
of the feel of the bristles. Synthetic hairs also have the tendency
to get stiffer with use, not softer...so save your face by getting
only the softest bristles in sable,goat, pony or squirrel, or
a combination of these. It's more money to start off with, but
you'll be rewarded with a makeup brush that will last your whole
lifetime.
What is a good Makeup Brush?
The best on the market are brushes
that are made up of a variety of hairs....not just one. These
feel the softest and last the longest. Want the softest brushes
around? Squirrel hair is the softest you'll find. Want durability
in a brush? Try Sable hair that will last a lifetime. Need a
brush to hold creams and concealers without soaking up the product?
Try Taklon bristles, a cream colored hair that is strong enough
to move the product around without absorbing it.
The Cut of a Brush
Brushes come in three different types of cuts. Straight, Chisel and Tapered.
Straight
Cuts are very similar to
a straight hair cut, or a bob. All the hairs line up evenly in
a straight line. These brushes are the best for any brush that
you need to make a straight line with, i.e. eye lining, eyebrows,
eyeshadow, etc. Look for your Eyebrow and Angle brushes here.
Chisel
Cuts are those that are slightly
layered into the ends of the brush. This brush has a rounded
look and effect. These brushes are excellent for blending and
for creating a softer touch when applying a dark color. Stock
up in these for blush, contouring, powder and all eyeshadow brushes.
Tapered
The last cut where the
ends of the brush are rounded out in a tapered fashion, yet the
brush itself is flat. A tapered lip brush is a perfect example
of this, and also the best lip brush you can find. Since the
lip line is not exactly straight, this brush draws a great curved
line. Check out this cut also in concealer brushes or Taklon
brushes.
The 3 Tests all makeup brushes should pass:
Before spending your hard earned
money on a makeup brush, make sure it passes these three tests
first.
I call it the "Feel" & "Flip" and "Pull" Test.
Test 1. "Feel"
How does the bristles feel
across the inside of your wrist? This is exactly how it'll feel
on your face. Stiff and prickly? Don't bother. Soft and light?
Buy it.
Test 2. "Flip"
Flip the
bristles back in forth across your hand. Any stray hairs flying
anywhere? Then don't buy this brush. It means that the glue used
to hold the hairs in is not very good, and after a few shampoos,
this brush will fall apart.
Test 3. "Pull"
Next, lightly
pull the bristles away from the handle. Is there any give in
the brush? If so, it's loosely glued in as well, and it will
fall apart very quickly.
Strong enough to pass all these
tests? You have a winner.
Exactly what brushes should I get?
Faced with an amazing amount of brushes to choose from?
Don't worry, we've divided brushes
into two categories.
The Basics & The Optionals
THE BASICS:
What every good makeup table should have: All this top quality Brushes available here at : cosmeticmall.com
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Powder Brush
The largest softest fluffiest brush you can find. Go all out and get the Squirrel
hair Powder Brush. Your face will thank me for it.
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Blush Brush
The most important thing is that it must
be the right size. Smile, and place the brush against the apple
of your cheek. If it perfectly matches, you've got the right one.
Too big? You'll end up getting blush everywhere you don't want
it.too Too small? You'll end up streaking your blush and not getting
enough on. And you thought it was just the product......
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Lip Brush
A sable (for durability) tapered lip brush.
In a size large enough to fill in your lips with lipstick in several
strokes.
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Small Angle Brush
Get a flat straight cut angle
brush. Perfect for filling in eyebrows with eyeshadow, and applying
eyeshadow on wet for a eyeliner look.
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Small Flat Eyeshadow
Brush Perfect
to fit the bone of the eye, (the area just underneath the eyebrows
to the crease.) Use only to apply light and shimmering colors.
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Medium Chisel Eye Shadow Brush
To fit the
size of the lid. For applying colors, and large sweeps of color
on the lid and in the crease.
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Toothbrush
That's
right, a regular baby toothbrush. Great for eyebrows and eyelashes......
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Eyeshadow Sponge Applicators
Whether you get the disposable ones or
the one on the handle, perfect for applying dark colors without
spilling, and for blending.
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Eye lash Curler
Get the new plastic kind. Works fantastically without
crimping your lashes.
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THE OPTIONALS:
What you can get by without, but you'll
love it if you had it. CosmeticMall has a wide selection of these brushes and more click HERE to see our selection.
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Taklon Concealer Brush
For spot applying concealer. The right amount every
time.
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Super small Angle Brush
In a flat cut, in a super super small size. Great for
eyebrows, and tiny dot applications of liquid eyeliner and wet
eyeshadow.
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Super Delux Fluff Brush
For eye shadows, the largest fluffiest chisel cut
eyeshadow brush you can find.
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Chinese Goat Hair Blush Brush
Makes every too bright and too dark color
go on perfectly. It's the super soft one with the white bristles.
Try your friendly art supply store.
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Large Fan Brush
Great for sweeping away all the mistakes that have
fallen underneath your eyes.
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Angle Blush Brush
In an angle chisel cut, perfect for contouring the
bone structure and cheekbones.
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Foundation Brush
Perfect for the just right amount of foundation
every time. A brush puts it on the surface of the skin and makes
the skin look perfectly opaque. A nice option to a sponge.
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Baby size lip brush
or concealer brush. For perfecting that lip line
after you've applied your lipstick.
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Plastic Eyelash Comb
Plastic, not metal. So you don't have to worry about
poking your eye out.
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Small Fan Brush
A pro's secret to applying mascara. For a very soft
look, or for use with cake mascara.
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Professional powder puffs
For makeup that stays on all day long.
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Care and Handling of Makeup Brushes
To make sure you get alot of
mileage out of your tools, just make sure to take good care of
them. Since it is real hair that you're using, wash your brushes
at least once a week with a mild conditioning shampoo. This keeps
the bristles soft. For in between cleansing, have handy a spray
on brush cleaner. These can be found in most beauty and theatrical
supply stores. Joe Blasco and Cinema Secrets both make excellent
ones. The best part is, that it completely sanitizes the brush,
as well as completely pulling out all the color and product out
of the hairs. Just spray on the brush and wipe of on a Kleenex.
So now you have a working knowledge of your bone structure, an understanding of color, and tools.
So what's next? Application!
Von Freudenberg Enterprises © 1997-2001. All rights reserved.
www.beautynewsletter.gq.nu
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