What are some good makeup brushes for someone purchasing their first set? Brand and styles/sizes??

Question

I don't plan on using lip lining brushes. I am interested in eyeshadow ones, blush, and foundation. How many do you need? Which are the best sizes? Do you recommend a smudger? Or a fantail?

Also, do you store them in a special brush case or just a makeup bag?

Answer 1

1. mac
2. shu uemura
3. bobbi brown
thats all. nothing more nothing less. if anything please try to go for mac or shu uemura first. they are of pro quality ad are long lasting. they serve the purpose they are made for. you will be getting the quality and performance you are looking for. please do not use synthetic brushes or sponge tip applicators. sponge tip applicators just pull on the skin and don't really blend well. look for brushes made from sable or squirrel hair. you can find lots of these at the local art supply store just make sure they are tightly packed in and that no hairs fall out as you brush them on. just make sure that all brushes and sponges don't rest on the surface of the makeup itself when not in use. natural face/skin oils from the brushes can ruin your makeup.also buy a brush cleaner or gentle baby shampoo to clean them with as bacteria easily breeds there.

the basics:
powder brush-foor dusting face powder and shimner
rounded eyeshadow brush-application of base shadow
small rounded eyeshadow brush-for blending shadow
angle brush-to apply eyebrow enhancements
blush brush-for blush
liner brush-to apply cake/gel or customized eyeliner
foundation brush- applies liquid foundation with even coverage but more natural looking than sponge application
fan brush-get rid of excess shadow spillage around the eye area
-also used to apply spa treatments on the face
concealer is best applied with fingers but if you find difficulty using sponge or fingers theres is also a brush for this.


this was my answer to your other question too

Answer 2

Mac, Francois Nars and Shu Uemura have wonderful brushes. So do Laura Mercier and Diego della Valle. They use natural hairs - however, they are quite expensive, but last forever if cared for properly.

The kinds of brushes I use most are the following: a large fluffy brush for brushing off excess loose powder after patting it over my foundation; two for the eyeshadows: a medium one for brushing on the base colour and a smaller one for blending in the deeper colour on the creases, a tiny one with a pointy tip for eyeliner application (I don't use liquid eyeliners as I think they give off a severe effect, I use a brush and black eyeshadow for this purpose); a brush that looks like a paintbrush with a very pointed tip for the Laura Mercier camouflage concealer, a medium blush brush for my blusher, and a smaller version of it for the contour powder that goes under my cheekbones, and finally a lipbrush - I have several of these and have one for orange tones, another one for pink tones and yet another one for peachy tones.

I have had these brushes forever, and care for them properly - makeup artists like the legendary Kevyn Aucoin advised using a mild shampoo to clean makeup brushes every night (since they use the brushes on different people) - I use the same cleaning method but wash my brushes 1-2 times a week and they always come up looking like new. In this case, one really gets what one pays for, and it is so worth it.

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

If you buy MAC brushes, DON'T buy the ones in the sets. I've been personally told by at least 5 different MAC salesgirls (they'll all admit it if you ask them) that the ones in the holiday sets are of lesser quality than their regular edition ones. Which really pisses me off, since I think that's sort of false advertising.

But anyway... the type of brushes really depends on your needs. What type of makeup do you wear? (Lip? Foundation? Blush? Heavy on the eyeliner but light on the eyeshadow?)

Post some more details and I'll help you out! :)

Answer 4

The best (but pricey): Trish McEvoy, Shu Umera, Paula Dorf. They will last forever if you wash with Trish McEvoys brush wash.

Mac: over priced for average quality (I feel the same about Bobby Brown).

For decent brushes at cut-throat prices, check out Sonia Kashuk at Target. Her line even includes sable shadow brushes for $3 and a huge wonderful powder brush for under$10 (the same brush that Mac or Laura Mercier ask $35-$50 for)...

Answer 5

Avon has brushes and sometimes brush sets. At the very least you should have a powder brush, blush brush, shadow brush and a lash brush.

Answer 6

hardy candy has a great set of 5 different sized brushes used for different parts of the eyes and cheek bones for an affordable price, but MAC has a large variety for a more expensive price. sephora also has sets

Answer 7

I use MAC brushes and they are great. Fantastic quality and worth the price. (If you buy expensive brushes don't forget to clean them! You can buy MAC cleaning solution which works well- cleaning them provents acne!) Here are some essential brushes:
1. Foundation Brush http://www.maccosmetics.com/templates/products/sp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY15084&PRODUCT_ID=PROD1444
2. Blush Brush http://www.maccosmetics.com/templates/products/sp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY15084&PRODUCT_ID=PROD1433
3. Eyeshadow Brushes
A. http://www.maccosmetics.com/templates/products/sp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY15083&PRODUCT_ID=PROD1527
B. (MY FAVORITE)http://www.maccosmetics.com/templates/products/sp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY15083&PRODUCT_ID=PROD1530
C. http://www.maccosmetics.com/templates/products/sp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY15083&PRODUCT_ID=PROD1394

I know that is a lot of information but if you purchase those brushes (or even some of those) you will never be in want of a new brush again!!!

Answer 8

Invest in some quality brushes that you won't have to replace. MAC has some good ones. They're expensive but they should be the last ones you'll ever have to buy (from what I hear).