I left out blending brushes for around the eye in the 2nd part of the this blog.
Setting and blending brushes for the eyes.
Stilla Brush 15
MAC #219 Pencil Brush
Mac #214
MUD #810
Everyone’s eye shape and lid sizes are different. There is no need to purchase all of the brushes shown. They can all be used for the same techniques. The difference in the brushes are not that much. Double sided brushes are always the best if you’re starting out your brush collections. I will insert a video on how Stephen uses the some of these brushes.
http://youtu.be/dOHw5v9lYV4
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Fan brushes are another "Must Have".
A good sized fan brush can be used for many techniques. I like to use them to set my contour, subtle highlights, and to dust off any drop shadows that may fall from any dark eyeshadow I may be applying. There are many sizes to choose from. However, I think the perfect sized fan brush would be from MUD #510
Another one of my favorites.
The MUD #720 brush has been a long time favorite of mine. Surprisingly I don’t use it as much when I’m doing Red Carpet type of makeup. It maybe be because I’m already using so many brushes there is no use for such large brush. But #720 is mainly used when I do simple makeup like a sun kissed beach look. I use it to set my entire makeup with a little translucent powder. It’s so soft that it doesn’t move any of the other makeup, just helps set it without making your face look cakey.
MAC brush #227 is awesome for blending eyeshadows, and setting translucent powders under the eyes to help set concealers. It has many more uses but those are some of my top to uses for this particular brush.
Angled and Fine tipped brushes.
The last brush I’d probably recommend. Would be fine and angled tipped brushes. There are great for filling in brows, setting gel eyeliners, applying shadows on the lower water line of the eyes. There are many more ways you can use these brushes those are the ones I mainly use them for.
Putting together a collection of brushes can get a bit expensive. I’ve paid almost $100 dollars for just one brush. There are many more expensive brushes too. However, you don’t have to stick to one brand of brushes with good care of the brushes they are sure to last you years. I always recommend people to buy the brush sets that are sold at almost all department stores around Christmas time. They usually come in sets of fives, and the handles are usually smaller than when you buy that style of brush individually but they get the job done. Eventually when you collect more brushes you can use that set for travel.
MAC always has good sets of brushes around Christmas for about 50bucks, and shadow palettes as well.
The maintenance on brushes are not to complicated. Wash them with mild soap, I sometimes add a little conditioner to keep them soft. Make sure to rinse the conditioner off after a few minutes. The important part of washing them is to lay them flat to dry. Otherwise if they’re standing up the water will rot the handle, and loosen up the glue that holds the bristle and the handles together. That will cause the bristles to fall out when you’re using them to do your makeup after they have dried.
To keep my brushes white, and synthetic brushes complete clean I use a bar of soap like in the picture I have attached.
It's best to use a gentle, and soft soap for the face.
It’s probably the scrubbing motion directly onto the bar of soap that helps really get all the product off. Oppose to the usual massaging the shampoo on the brushes. This also works fine but the soap bar method works best for white and synthetic brushes.
Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner.
For a quick wash try Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner. Most professional Makeup Artist swear by this stuff. I love it and use it when I’m on set, working a wedding, or when I’m done doing my own makeup to make sure my brushes are clean for the next time.
Storing Brushes:
Brush Storage is not difficult at all.
There are many inexpensive ways on storing your brushes. I like to stand them up so I can see the tips easiest. I keep most of them in my brush roll and stand them up on top of a vanity area. I keep them in basic pencil cups as well. I like to keep different cups so I can always separate the dirty ones from the clean ones.
I hope you found this 3 part blog helpful. I only mentioned the brushes I feel are most useful. However, for more detailed information on the different brushes there are, and which you feel might be best for you?
Check out my previous blog on Apply Makeup Like A Professional
For some books written by Celebrity and Professional Makeup Artist that have all dedicated a special section to brushes.
Stay connected and updated with me on Twitter and Facebook.
For questions and bookings, please feel free to email me at audrey@beautybyaudrey.com