Brush your way to the top.

Put your hand up if you have used your fingers to apply your make up.  Be honest. I have! Although, I will be the first to say that you shouldn't be afraid to use your fingers, as the product will heat up to your body temperature and will help it to glide onto the skin easier.

Here are 5 facts about make up brushes you need to know.

1. Quality brushes will last for years if you look after them. They are expensive but will be well worth it in the end.

2. By using a foundation brush - you are not wasting product as you would using your fingers or even a sponge. They both suck up the product. 

3. Sable brushes are made from different animal hair. For example,  goat, pony and squirrel - you can have a reaction if you are sensitive / allergic to animal hair.

4. Brushes best for powdered products (powder, eyeshadow, blush) are sable - they are generally fluffy; whereas synthetic brushes are best used for wet products (foundation, lipstick, gel liner). They are usually more tapered.

5. To prolong the use of your brushes and achieve a smooth application of make up; ~ foundation, liquid liner, lipstick ~ always wash them every couple of weeks. This will ensure that any make up build-up within the centre of the bristles, is removed and bacteria is banished. Use warm water and shampoo or Sard wonder soap. To stop them from looking frayed, use conditioner to soften them. (NB You must squeeze out access and lay them flat. You don't want them to go rusty by keeping them upright. In between washes, you can use an alcohol based brush cleaner to remove any nasties.

MUST HAVE BRUSHES to have in your beauty bag.

1. Foundation Brush. This will smooth on foundation and blend accordingly. Use this brush in a stippling motion to avoid brush stroke marks. The end result is a flawless finish.

2. Concealer Brush. Similar to the foundation brush but a lot smaller.

3. Powder brush. To dust powder over the entire face to set liquid foundation or even to wear powder on its own.

4. Eyeshadow brush. A medium size is good to begin your collection with. Pat on the eyeshadow to avoid fall out onto the face.

5. Blending / Bullet brush. This will blend your eyeshadow and will guide you through the crease line of your eye.

6. Angled brush. Best way to apply liquid or gel liner. Also great to feather in colour through your brows.

7. Blush brush / Kabuki brush. A little smaller than the powder brush. You can also use this for your bronzer.

8. Lipstick brush. Instead of putting your lippie directly onto your lips,  this brush will get right into the corners of your mouth. Also great if you are at the end of your lippie and want to get the last bits out.

These 8 brushes will get you through your make up application. As you gain more confidence, you can add more brushes to your collection.

Here are the brushes I mentioned.

L to R as numbered above.

SK x