Spectrum Makeup Brushes

There are thousands of available makeup products on the market. Eyeshadows, foundations, powders, lipsticks- you name it. In order to wear makeup, you obviously have to apply it. You’ve probably heard about makeup brushes and sponges, especially if you regularly use makeup. Practically every makeup brand creates brushes, so there are plenty to choose from, but it’s difficult to know which one will work best with your skin and which brush works best with which formula.

Let’s start by discussing the types of makeup brushes and what they’re typically used for.

Face brushes 

• Foundation: it has tightly packed bristles and a tapered tip. It’s used to apply foundation and gives a smooth and flawless finish. It’s common to slightly dampen the brush with warm water to allow even distribution. You can achieve a lighter finish or heavy coverage depending on how much product you apply.

• Stippling: it’s light and has feathery ends. The end is mostly flat and ideal for blending. It creates a perfectly smooth base and eases the application of the product onto the skin. The light fibres leave a flawless finish and give an airbrush effect.

• Powder: it’s typically thicker with long, fluffy bristles. It’s used to dust your face with a loose or compact powder. It doesn’t leave a white cast, so you don’t have to worry about being extremely careful with the application. A specific type of powder brush is a kabuki brush which is large and is known for quick application.

• Concealer: it’s typically flat, wide based with a pointed tip, but sometimes is thick and round. It all depends on the finish you prefer and the consistency of the concealer you’re using. Concealer brushes help blend the product ideally into the skin while camouflaging imperfections and blemishes.

• Bronzer: the brush is usually soft, fuller and rounded. The round shape allows you to apply the product evenly and the bristles pick up the right amount of colour. Bronzer brushes make tanning the face quick and easy.

• Mineral Powder: you can use it both wet and dry. When applied in circular motions, it creates a flawless finish. Its bristles are typically packed together.

• Fan powder: it’s round flat, round and dome-shaped. It’s typically used for light powder products such as highlighter or loose powder. The brush sweeps a dust of powder lightly onto the skin and gives a soft, velvety effect. If you’re looking for light coverage and a soft finish, this is the brush to choose.

• Face contour: this type of brush has firmer bristles and slanted, rounded shape. It’s used to apply contour powder to the hollow spots of the face. This brush is more precise in the application and prevents you from creating cakey, blotchy spots.

• Blusher: this brush picks up the right amount of colour from your product and has a more rounded shape. It applies blush softly and evenly to create a natural effect while eliminating the chance of harsh lines to appear. These brushes are always super soft and more flattened at the ends.

• Angled blush: if you prefer a contoured look, but like to use blush instead of bronzer, the angled blush brush allows you to achieve this effect. This brush also allows you to do a more intense look, but still keeps it natural.

• Highlighter: this brush is softer, fluffy and angled, which helps give a precise yet soft effect. Stiffer, more densely packed bristles give you more control, while also providing a light application of pigment.

• Flat eyeshadow: it’s the most basic type of eyeshadow brush that applies a coat of colour onto the lid. The brush is flat, large, but short with overflowing bristles and is specifically designed for a smooth application. You can use it for both cream and dry products. It glides with ease and ensures minimal fallout.

• Blending: it blends out the edges of the eyeshadow and also blends between different colours. It’s usually larger and is fluffy and rounded.

• Crease: it applies shadow to the crease. This brush can also be used to blend out the colour but is typically used only for applying eyeshadow to the crease. It has a rounded or pointed tip for precise application.

• Precise blending: it has the same purpose of the blending eyeshadow brush but is smaller and more precise, so it’s perfect for those with smaller eyelids or detailed blending.

• Inner corner: this brush is used for inner corner eyeshadows, especially highlighting or glitter details. It’s pointed shape makes the application precise and applies the product directly where you wish.

• Lower lashline: this brush is thin and precise. You can apply eyeshadow to the lower lash line using this brush without creating a very harsh, dark look. It’s also used in circular motions to smudge eyeliner or gel products.

• Eyeliner: it’s perfect for gel or liquid liner. The end is pointed and thin, so the application is extremely sharp and precise. If you enjoy drawing winged liner, this brush is great for that.

• Eyebrow: eyebrow brushes are slanted, thin and precise. You can create small, hair-like strokes using this brush or use it just to fill in your natural shape. It’s perfect for both powder or cream products. It’s also used just for the purpose of outlining the brows.

• Lip: it’s long, thin and pencil-like with soft bristles that form a tapered point. It’s used to apply lipstick, lip creams and lip gloss. The brush gives perfect precision and prevents uneven lipstick lines.

• Defining lip: this brush is perfect for defining the contour of your lips or creating an ombre effect. It’s used as a lipliner but is more precise, and you have more control over the application.
• 2-in-1 defining: most of the time these type of brushes contain both an eyebrow and spiral eyebrow brush on each end. One side is angled, the other is used to blend out the product. It’s perfect for when you need to multitask on the go or when you need to throw it in your bag.
• Spiral eyebrow: it has a spiralled and tapered design. It tames the brows, evens out the colours and perfects their shape. It can be used only to brush out the brows if you don’t need to fill them in or you can use eyebrow gel and blend it out using this brush.
• Sponge: sponge brushes are used for any wet products you use on your face, from foundation and concealer to cream bronzer or blush. It’s recommended to use these wet for seamless blending and to prevent the sponge from soaking up all of the foundation.

Best brands of makeup brushes

Many different cosmetic brands offer a variety of makeup brushes which is why it might be difficult to choose the right ones for you. Some brands exclusively produce makeup brushes while others sell both makeup and brushes. Here are some brands that have well-known brushes, great opinions and loved by customers:

1. IT cosmetics– their brushes are widely known amongst makeup lovers and have some of the most popular, best-selling products. Some favourites:

• Airbrush Mega Powder Brush- an extremely large brush that can be used for any powder product. It makes the application quick and easy.
• Heavenly Luxe™ Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush- it’s densely packed with a flat top and is great for loose powders and powder foundations. It buffs away fine lines, wrinkles, and larger pores.
• Heavenly Skin™ Skin Smoothing Complexion Brush- it smoothes the skin and is infused with anti-aging collagen, skin, peptides, niacin and antioxidants that improve the look and texture of your skin. It was even developed with the help of plastic surgeons, is cruelty-free and is perfect for every skin type.

2. Morphe- morphe have one of the most top-selling brushes, are known for their affordable prices and their cruelty-free factor.

• M105 Tapered Brush- it softly applies blush, loose or pressed powder. Its tip is extra smooth and is perfect for fine makeup powders.

• R4 Pro Angle Brush- this brush sweeps product perfectly across the cheekbones and also fits the hollows of your cheeks and along the jawline.

• M456 Mini Firm Blending Brush- it’s great for detailed blending work and for those with smaller eyes.
• M443 Pointed Liner- perfect for cream or liquid lip products. It’s great for details and small corners.

3. Zoeva- it’s known for the quality of their brushes and luxury feel. They are all super soft and offer amazing sets.

• 317 Wing Liner- made for dramatic eyeliner looks and creates a precise line. The bristles adapt to your natural lash line and can even be used for the brows.
• 142 Concealer Buffer- it blends cream products amazingly, and the round tip leaves a flawless, yet natural-looking finish.

• 102 Silk Finish- this brush guarantees a flawless application with foundation and powder. It rests comfortably in the hand and can be used easily.
• Screen Queen Complete Eye Set- this set features an assortment of 12 award-winning brushes. Each brush is handcrafted from a soft blend of natural and synthetic hairs. The pink and gold colours are also beyond gorgeous.

4. Real Techniques- these brushes are widely available at drugstores and are extremely affordable.

• Powder Brush- this best selling brush is fluffy and large and gives a sheer, smooth finish. It’s also 100% cruelty-free.
• Expert Face Brush- the brush is ultra firm and is used for many different parts of the face, including foundation, powder and bronzer.
• Expert Concealer Brush- this is a mini version of their other expert brush. It’s perfect for precision, concealing hard to reach spots and is perfect to use below the eyes.

5. Spectrum- a creative, vegan and cruelty-free makeup brush brand.

• Ultimate 30 Piece Set With Pouch- this is an “all you need” set that completes any collection. It’s great for travelling since it comes with a gorgeous pink pouch bag. It’s not only for professionals and can be used by any makeup lover.

• SA03- the Siren Oval Foundation brush is used to apply and blend cream foundation products delicately.

• MA04 Strong Finish- use this brush for the application of bronzer, translucent powder, highlighter or all three. It’s very universal and is made of the highest quality synthetic hair.
• SA12 Draw Me Pretty- it’s great for blending or adding finer details to your eye looks. It’s used for inner highlighting as well or creating a smokey, blended look.

6. MAC- their brushes are considered classics in the beauty industry and have been around for a while. Even though they aren’t the newest brand on the market, they are still considered to be one of the best.

• 184 Duo Fibre Fan Brush- it’s amazing for highlighting the face and using it for blush as well. It adds the perfect amount of glow to the face.
• 133 Synthetic Small Cheek Brush- the best brush for cheek products and powders. It’s super soft and blends products seamlessly.
• 161 Synthetic Duo Fibre Face Glider Brush- just as the name implies, it glides on products perfectly and blends away harsh lines.