My Most Used Makeup Brushes

When I first started experimenting with makeup, the only tools I used to apply it with were my fingers. But, I believe I've come a long way since then and although I've accumulated quite a few different brushes over the years, I always seem to gravitate towards some particular ones. I do think, that even if you have the world's best makeup products, you will not achieve good results unless you have the right tools. That being said, I don't think that you need to invest hundred of dollars to get some good quality brushes. Nowadays, at the drugstore you can easily come across brushes which are of the same quality as higher ended brands, if not better! So, today I thought I would share my absolute must-have brushes and the ones I use the most. 

Face brushes
Foundation - Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge - OK, so I know that this is not technically a brush but I couldn't neglect it. Since I've discovered this, I haven't looked back and if you have followed my previous blog posts, you would have noticed that I have mentioned it a few times. I can't really compare it with the BeautyBlender as I have yet to try the latter, however I do believe that it gives a very flawless-looking streak-free finish. I love its shape! The flat edge makes the application so easy and the pointed end is great for getting right under the eyes (especially when applying concealer). Make sure to always use it when it's damp and be aware that it might soak up some foundation. I own 3 of these and I'm constantly wanting to buy more! 

Powder - Real Techniques Powder Brush - Again, Real Techniques have really nailed it on the head with this brush. It is very dense, soft and fluffy. I love it for both pressed and loose powders. Some people may argue that it is slightly too big however I think that because of this feature, it makes it less likely to pack on a lot of product and therefore end up with cakiness all over your face. It distributes the product very evenly and it blends beautifully. Apart from powder, it's also great with bronzer to give a bit more warmth to the face.

Contour - Real Techniques Sculpting Brush - By now, I think you've realized that I love RealTechniques brushes as they are such good quality for a very affordable price. I've tried quite a few different brushes for contouring but this one makes it super easy. It has a very flat, wide head which is great when wanting to further add definition or depth to your face. 

Blush - You guessed it! - Real Techniques Blush Brush (haha!) - This has got a very tapered cut while still being very soft and dense which makes it ideal for giving you control over the amount of blush you want to apply to your cheeks. It gives a very airbrushed finish as it blends amazingly well. You can also use this to highlight or else to bronze up the face, however personally I like to keep it specifically for blush. 

Eye brushes
All-over the lid brush - Sigma E54 Brush Medium Sweeper - This has a very dense wide head which makes it ideal for controlled lid application. The bristles are very soft which is a must for the delicate eye area. When I don't feel that I achieved the required intensity of a shadow, I find it best to apply with my fingers (more specifically, my index finger). Sometimes this provides you with a much better pigmentation result.

Blending brush - Sigma E25 Brush - I own 3 of these! No wonder this is one of Sigma's top seller products. My preferred use for this is for the application of transition shades in the crease, to buff out any harsh lines in the crease to make the look look further blended or else to further build up colour in the crease. It is basically a very good dupe for MAC's 217 brush which I use for basically the same reasons. I actually prefer the Sigma E25 brush over the MAC one in terms of durability. 

Sigma E40 - This is another favourite. It is very soft and fluffy and I mostly make use of it by sweeping it back and forth through the crease for a very diffused look. This is a great brush for beginners and experts alike and I would recommend this to anyone who is on the hunt for a good quality eyeshadow blending brush. 

Sigma E45 - I almost forget to mention this one (oops!) yet its still a must have in my collection. It's quite small and tapered with a pointed tip, making it absolutely perfect for application of more intense colours in the crease as it gives a lot of control in regards to product placement. 

Have you ever tried any of these brushes? Let me know in the comments! 

Until next time,
Christine
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*This post is not sponsored.

From left to right: Sigma E45, Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush, Real Techniques Powder Brush, Sigma E40, Sigma E25, Real Techniques Blush Brush, Sigma E54, Sigma E25, Real Techniques Sculpting Brush.