Bewildered by the array of makeup brushes out there?
We don’t blame you. Walk into a beauty emporium and you are greeted with rows of brushes of different shapes and sizes. From weird fan-shaped devices to a multitude of eye shadow applicators, the choices seem endless.
The dizzying variety of brushes are on the shelves because you’ve asked for them, says Karen Grant, senior beauty industry analyst at NPD, a Port Washington, N.Y.-based market research firm.
“Consumers’ needs for multiple brushes have grown substantially, and almost every major makeup firm has responded,” Grant says.
Sales of makeup brushes and applicators have rocketed from $2 million a decade ago to $131 million last year, according to NPD, which tracks brands sold in department stores and beauty boutiques.
So why are we picking up brushes to paint our faces more than ever before?
“In the last decade, the cult of the makeup artist has grown tremendously,” Grant says. “Their high visibility on the fashion scene has encouraged consumers to experiment with makeup and tools.”
Makeup artists such as Trish McEvoy, Paula Dorf and Bobbi Brown — all of whom have their own brush lines — are well-known names among the beauty conscious.
“You can’t beat a good brush,” says the Manhattan-based Dorf. “You can’t get the same coverage using your fingers.”
Brushes allow you to create a range of different looks from high-voltage smoky eyes to natural rosy cheeks without creating a mess, she says.
Staying power is another reason women are choosing to spend anywhere between a dollar to hundreds on brushes.
“Once you’ve applied your makeup with a brush, it stays on,” Grant says. “You’ve set your face for the entire day without having to worry about touching up.”
For Dorf, who first began making makeup brushes by refashioning art-store brushes 25 years ago, the right tools are paramount.
“Even the best dentist can’t do a good job if he’s using carpenter’s tools,” she says. “It’s the same for makeup artists — professional or otherwise. The tools make all the difference for the end look.”
Makeup brushes 101
– A basic makeup bag must have a foundation brush. “A good foundation brush will help you work more efficiently than using a finger or sponge,” says Wei Lang, a New York-based makeup artist who has worked with Britney Spears and P. Diddy.
– Try Paula Dorf’s foundation brush ($35, pauladorf.com). “Cheaper brands are doing a better job than ever, so don’t write them off,” says Lang, who praises Target’s Sonia Kashuk Tools (Contoured Foundation Brush, $14.99, target.com) for good value.
– For disguising flaws, a concealer brush is crucial. Lang’s go-to concealer brush is Mally Beauty’s double-ended brush, which comes with the brand’s Cancellation Concealer 3-piece System kit. A bargain alternative is e.l.f.’s version for $1 (eyeslipsface.com).
– The perfect powder brush is densely packed with hairs, says Lang, who suggests splurging on this tool because it will help you create a complete finish. Trish McEvoy’s #5 Luxurious Powder Brush ($72, nordstrom.com) is her choice. Also check out Clinique’s Powder Brush ($30, clinique.com).
– A blusher brush should be twice as large as your eye shadow brushes but smaller than your powder brush, Lang says. Prescriptives Curvilinear Cheek Brush ($30, nordstrom.com) follows the contour of your cheek for upward application of blusher, while Sonia Kashuk Tools’ Contoured Blusher Brush ($17.99, target.com) is oval-shaped for circular sweeps.
– For your eyes, you need two brushes: A large offering such as Estee Lauder’s Eye Shadow Brush will help you cover your entire eyelid in one swoop. If you really want to break the bank, there’s Shu Uemura’s Kolinsky Brush 15, which is made from Kolinsky sable and costs $270 (shuuemura-usa.com). Choose a multipurpose small eye shadow brush, such as Thi’s Angle Brush, that will allow you to blend and deposit color in the crease of your eye.
– Tame your unruly brows with a flat eyebrow brush, which can also double as an eyeliner brush. MAC’s Small Angled Brow Brush ($19, maccosmetics.com) is a good option.
– To complete your look, you’ll need a lip brush. “Don’t bother spending on this one,” advises Lang. “Most brands’ brushes work just fine.” So save your cash and opt for e.l.f.’s tapered Lip Defining Brush ($1, eyeslipsface.com).
– Don’t forget to take care of your brushes. Paula Dorf recommends washing synthetic brushes at least once a week, while brushes made with natural fibers such as goat’s hair and sable should be cleaned every day if possible to avoid a build-up of bacteria. To clean, use mild shampoo or cleaners made especially for brushes such as Clinique’s Spray-On Makeup Brush Cleaner.
