Best Brushes ?

[#1]

I am just getting into make-up and I would like to know what are the best recommended brushes for application of eyeshadow, foundation, blush, bronzer, etc.

[#2]

Hey Girl,

                I would just start collecting brushes. There isn't one makeup line that has 100 percent best quality for every single brush. Most companies have hits and misses, so it's best to shop around. Shopping around can be fun, too. Since you are just starting with makeup I would suggest you visit your local Target for a couple new brushes by Sonia Kashuk. The flat eye shader brush, and the blending brush from her regular collection are both awesome, for a lower price point.  For Airbrush brushes, or a great brush to put on foundation with, I would check out Sigma Makeup. They have a whole new line of excellent, kabuki on a stick like brushes, that really help get a flawless finish to your foundation. The price point isn't bad, around 16 dollars for one. Sephora Collection brushes are also lovely, and high quality so they will last a long time. Mac makes a great duo fibre stippling brush, it's kind of pricey but good quality. Just don't wash it in hot water, it will bleed. Clinique also makes awesome line of antibacterial brushes, every strand has a coating on it for a more hygenic experience. Ecotools which is sold at the drugstore is good quality for cheap too. A gave a few companies for you to think about. Good luck!

[#3]

I love Mac brushes but they are expensive for a brush but they are worth it.

Eyes:

Mac #239 - an eye shadow brush for patting on color or an all over the lid color brush

Mac #217 - blending brush - great for the crease area & apply cream eye shadows like Mac Paintpots or blend out concealer

Mac #224 - fluffy bristle blending brush for a sheer color

Mac #222 - stiff bristle blending brush for a dramatic look

Mac #219 - apply eye shadows to the inner corners, smudge eyeliner & put eye shadow on the bone brow for a highlighted look.

Face:

Mac #187 - a stippling brush for your foundation & blushes

These are my favs

but there are SO many Youtube videos on makeup brushes.

You should check 'em out!

-jess(:

[#4]

For a good starter set, I also agree on the Advanced Airbrush set from Sephora.  http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P280421&categoryId=C17385&shouldPaginate=true   Great quality for the price.  If I did not own similar sized brushes (including one of the airbrushes), I would grab it.  I love using shorter handles for certain applications. 

Here are some personal favorites:
Foundation Brush:  Shu Uemura Natural 18 (goat).  However if you do not want to stray from the Sephora site, this one seems similar (I.T. Natural Foundation Brush):  http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P259912&categoryId=C22440&shouldPaginate=true

With the HD powder, I really love MUFE's HD Kabuki Brush.  Very soft, does not shed.    http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P217908&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=4028

Eyes... I mix and match.  Most of mine actually come from Sephora believe it or not.  One of my favorites was actually from a VIB perk.  Two brushes to start out with would be a blending brush and a generic one that can do multiple tasks. 

I will be honest that my blush and bronzer brushes are functional but probably not the best out there.  For powder blush, an angled brush is probably my favorite to use (although fingers work fine for cream blush).  A round powder brush is good for bronzer. 

[#5]

I LOVE my Bare Escentuals brushes. I have 7 and my favorite one is the Handy Buki brush. It works for blush, bronzer, powder foundations, powder luminizers...and works especially well for my beloved Benefit Boxed Powders. I have had my BE brush collection for about 7 years, the ones I use daily I wash often ( I try to do it once a week but I always wash at least 2 X a month) and when they dry they look like they did 7 years ago when I bought them in store. There is no fallout with this brush, and the bristles dont get bent out of shape. I wash them with gel cleansers or gel dish soap---I just put a little in the palm of my hand and swirl the brush in for a minute, and rinse and repeat 3 times, then put them in a cup to dry. I used to use Bare Escentuals foundations and would always get the $60 set that came with 3 brushes...and they added up! You can get the Handy Buki on its own for $20.



[#6 · Accepted solution]

I would probably recommend you get a make-up brush set to start you off with a BANG! There are soem great ones out there especially from the Real Techniques line by Samantha Chapman. I believe they're available at ULTA. You should look at her starter set and her Core Collection.

Sephora brand brushes are very good especially their Platinum and IT collection. Some sets I like:

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P280421&categoryId=C540

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P273009&categoryId=S4900&shouldPaginate=true

Also check out the brushes and brush sets from Eco-Tools. I really like the blush brush from Eco-tools.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a quality flat foundation brush. I like the Revlon foundation brush as well as the Sonia Kashuk flat foundation brush.

One of the best flat foundation brushes out there is the Bobbi Brown http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P270557&categoryId=B70

Some eye brushes I would spend money on: MAC 217 (best blending brush) MAC 239 (great for packing on color)

So if price is no problem here are my recs:

Flat foundation brush: Bobbi Brown

Stippling brush : MAC 187

Blush Brush: MAC 116 or Eco-tools Blush brush

Eyesadow brushes: MAC 239, 217, revlon contour crease brush, Paula Dork Smokey lid brush, Sephora Platinum all over shadow brush, Stila #4 precision liner brush

Bronzing brush/Powder brush: Smashbox face and Body: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P74105&categoryId=B70

Contour brush: MAC 138

I hope this helps!

[#7]

I agree with islandqt, Samantha Chapman's brushes are so amazing and the price is so affordable it's RIDICULOUS! I do have a couple Sephora Platinum ones and I do love them, especially my blush brush.