Tool Guide

This alphabetized glossary describes the different types of brushes as well as other tools you might want to keep in your kit. It will help you decide what brushes work best for a specific need or technique.

BLUSH BRUSH

This needs to be wide enough to cover the apple of the cheek. The bristles should be soft, natural hair with beveled and curved edges.











BRONZER BRUSH

This is thicker and fuller than a blush brush and has a flat profile. It is designed for sweeping and pressing bronzer over cheeks, forehead, nose and chin to provide natural-looking warmth to the skin.







BROW BRUSH

A brush with stiff, short bristles cut on an angle. Designed for applying shadow to the brows. Look for a synthetic/natural blend of bristles, as the 100 percent synthetic brushes are too stiff and don't deposit colour as effectively.





BROW GROOMING BRUSH

This is for brushing brows into place. It has stiff bristles cut straight across, like a toothbrush.

EYELASH COMB

This has straight, stiff (often plastic), fine teeth and is designed to separate lashes immediately after applying mascara (while the lashes are still wet). Mascara wands work just as well and are more convenient.



CONCEALER BRUSH

This should have firm but soft bristles that aren't too hard or scratchy, since the brush will be used on the delicate skin under the eyes. Look for a brush with glossy synthetic hairs, as these slip along the skin. The ends of the bristles should be tapered to help you place concealer in hard-to-reach spots, such as the inner corners of the eyes, and apply stick foundation to cover any redness around the nose.





EYE BLENDER BRUSH

A soft, fluffy, natural-hair brush with long bristles designed to blend eye shadow and eliminate lines of demarcation on the lids after applying multiple shades. It is also great for applying powder to set corrector, concealer, or foundation around the eyes or over blemish cover.





EYE CONTOUR BRUSH

A round, flat-head, natural-hair brush. Short, dense bristles apply a greater amount of shadow in the crease to contour the eye.







EYE SHADER BRUSH

A wide, flat-head brush that can gently sweep eye shadow colour over the entire lid, from the lash line to the brow bone.








EYE SHADOW BRUSH

Wide enough to cover about half the eyelid. This brush has natural, soft, rounded bristles with beveled edges that deposit a sweep of shadow across the lower lid without leaving any harsh lines.







EYE SMUDGE BRUSH

A small-head brush with a slightly rounded point. This brush has soft, flexible bristles that help smudge liner to create a smoky look.








EYELASH CURLER

Look for a basic metal version with rubber pads. An eyelash curler shapes lashes into a natural-looking curl. Replace pads regularly. To avoid breakage, always curl the lashes before applying mascara.






EYELINER BRUSH (ANGLED) / EYE DEFINER BRUSH

This small brush has very short, dense bristles cut on an angle. It is designed to use with shadow to strengthen thin brows or as an alternative to an eyeliner brush.







EYELINER BRUSH (FLAT)

With flat, dense, synthetic bristles that are slightly rounded at tip, this brush can be used wet or dry to apply a precise line at the lash line.








EYELINER BRUSH (ULTRA FINE)

The bristles on this small brush are synthetic, dense, and curve to a point. Perfect for the precise application of liquid or gel eyeliner.








FACE BLENDER BRUSH

A natural or synthetic brush used to deposit shimmer, bronzer, powder, or blush









FACE BRUSH

A natural or synthetic fluffy, curved brush that can be used to apply bronzer, blush, or powder.








FOUNDATION BRUSH

Synthetic bristles in this full, flat-edged brush deposit just the right amount of foundation onto the skin.







LIP BRUSH

Firm, long bristles come to a slightly pointed tip. This brush allows for the precise placement of lip colour. Bristles can be either synthetic or natural.







POWDER BRUSH

A natural-hair, large, fluffy brush with soft bristles that bevel to a slight point (for navigating around the nose and under the eyes). Designed for use with both loose and pressed powders.







POWDER PUFF

A velour puff that's about the size of your palm. Designed to press powder onto the face to lock foundation in place. Can be hand washed or tossed in the dishwasher (at least once a week).








SPONGES

Disposable sponges are invaluable. Wedge-shaped ones are great for applying foundation around the nose and other hard-to-reach places, as well as for blending. Don't bother washing them - toss dirty ones, and take a new one. Higher quality sponges can be washed and reused many times.



TOUCH UP BRUSH

Short, firm, natural-bristled brush used with foundation for spot touch-ups and for hard-to reach areas around the nose and mouth. This brush can also be used to touch up concealer and apply eye shadow.






TWEEZERS

It's well worth investing in a good pair. Look at the Tweezerman or Rubis brands. Tweezers that are angled at the tip are easier t control than those that come to a sharp point. Always cover tweezers' tips with the included rubber cap when they are not in use.