This beginner makeup brush guide covers different types of makeup brushes, how to use them, and affordable must-have makeup brushes for both makeup beginners and pros!

Beginner Makeup Brush Guide (The Brushes You Need)

Happy Monday, friends! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I’m excited to share that I’ve been working behind the scenes on several new series that I’ll be revealing over the next few weeks. First up, today I’m sharing the Ultimate Beginner Makeup Brush Guide where I’m talking all about how to use makeup brushes and the best makeup brushes around.

Announcing A New Beauty Series

As a beauty blogger and makeup lover I get asked so many beauty questions on a regular basis, so today’s post is the mark of a new beauty series: Ask Cara. Each month I’ll be featuring a new popular topic that you (the reader) gets to pick!

First up in the series is one of the most asked about beauty topic around – makeup brushes! I get asked all the time “Which makeup brushes do I REALLY need?” , “What makeup brushes are used for what?”, and most frequently “Which makeup brushes do you recommend?” so without further adieu, I’ve created a super helpful makeup brushes guide that helps address how to use makeup brushes, must have makeup brushes and their names, and more!

*This post contains affiliate links

Ultimate Makeup Brush Guide + How to Use Them

When I first started out using makeup, like most beginners I had absolutely zero clue what makeup brushes I actually needed to have in my collection or what makeup brushes are used for what. To be honest, for the longest time I didn’t even own makeup brushes and I only used the little applicators that came in eyeshadow palettes. (I know, I know I’m cringing too)

But eventually I realized that the key difference between okay looking makeup and great looking makeup stemmed down to one thing- makeup brushes. Seriously if you were to look at my beginning eyeshadow looks vs some of my most recent ones, you would be able to clearly notice what a difference the application makes and how makeup brushes play a huge part in that. (Well that and blending, but that’s a whole other topic for another day 😉 )

Related Posts You’ll Love:

• How to Clean Makeup Brushes
• The Ultimate Drugstore Makeup Kit for Beginners

Different Types of Makeup Brushes

In this makeup brushes guide we’re going to be talking about the different types of makeup brushes and their uses, must have makeup brushes for beginners and pros, and what makeup brushes are used for what. First let’s dive into the makeup brush types including makeup brushes for the face and eyeshadow brushes.

Makeup Brush Guide For The Face

Foundation Brush

Use It For: Applying liquid or cream foundation to the face, for seamless coverage. Great for building up coverage on the skin and works well with all skin types.

My Favorite Foundation Makeup Brushes:

• e.l.f. Cosmetics Ultimate Blending Brush
• Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

Blush/Powder Brush

Use It For: Applying powder, bronzer, or blush to the face. One of the best face brushes to have in your collection, because it works for so many things.

My Favorite Blush/Powder Makeup Brushes:

• e.l.f. Cosmetics Powder Brush
• Real Techniques Powder Brush
• It Brushes for Beauty Fully Flawless Blush Brush

Contour Brush

Use It For: Contouring the cheekbone, brow bone, and nose. The curved shape helps further define and sculpt the face.

My Favorite Contour Makeup Brushes:

• e.l.f. Cosmetics Contour Brush
• Sonia Kashuk Contour Brush
• Tarte Slenderizer Contouring Brush

Fan Brush

Use It For: Applying highlighter to the cheekbones, nose, and brow bone. Can also be used for dusting off excess powder.

My Favorite Fan Brushes:

• Wet n’ Wild Fan Brush
• Real Techniques Blush Crush 304 Fan Brush

Makeup Sponge

Use It For: Applying foundation and concealer to the face. Works well in blending out foundation for an air-brushed look and works amazing if you have a dry skin type.

My Favorite Makeup Sponges:

• Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
• Real Techniques Mini Miracle Eraser Sponges
• The Original Beauty Blender

Makeup Brush Guide For the Eyes

All Over Shadow Brush

Use It For: Applying a base shade of eyeshadow all over the lid. Works well for basic eyeshadow looks.

My Favorite Shadow Brushes:

• e.l.f. Cosmetics “C” Eyeshadow Brush
• Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush
• Morphe M433 Pro Firm Blending Brush

Flat Eyeshadow Brush

Use It For: Applying shimmer/glitter eyeshadow colors in flat areas on the lid. Must be patted on to avoid fall-out.

My Favorite Flat Eyeshadow Brushes:

• e.l.f. Cosmetics Concealer Brush
• IT Brushes Fully Essential Brush

Crease Brush

Use It For: Layering on eyeshadow colors in the crease and blending out eyeshadow for multi-dimensional looks.

My Favorite Crease Eyeshadow Brushes:

• Morphe M330 Blending Crease Brush
• Japonesque Cut Crease Brush

Blending Brush

Use It For: Blending out eyeshadow looks to avoid harsh lines and spottiness. One of the best eyeshadow brushes to have in your collection.

My Favorite Blending Eyeshadow Brushes:

• Morphe M441 Pro Firm Blending Crease Brush
• Morphe M504 Large Pointed Blender Brush

Angled Brow/Liner Brush

Use It For: Applying shadow or cream eyeliner to the lid or filling in the eyebrow area. I recommend owning two for each purpose.

My Favorite Angled Brow/Liner Brushes:

• e.l.f. Cosmetics Studio Winged Liner
• Real Techniques Winged Liner Brush

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Which Makeup Brushes Do I Really Need?

To be honest, the number of makeup brushes needed in your collection differs for everyone and ultimately depends on the type of makeup looks you wear and what you’re looking to achieve. To make it easy, I’ve included a helpful makeup brush buying guide below that will help you determine which makeup brush types will work best for you, depending on your makeup skill level. I’ve also included my favorite affordable options for face/foundation brushes, makeup sponges, eyeshadow brushes, lip brushes, and more!

The Beginner Makeup Brush Guide

This is you if…

You don’t wear a ton of makeup on a regular basis and your go-to look is a little bit of foundation, blush, mascara, and some lip balm. To be honest, you’re probably one who’s all about the “no-makeup” makeup look, so why not invest in a few key makeup brushes to help you achieve a flawless, gorgeous finish?

Although you might be a fan of using your fingers to apply makeup, using makeup brushes will give you a more even finish and can even help speed up your makeup routine. 🙂

Recommended Brushes:

• Foundation Brush – e.l.f. cosmetics Ultimate Blending Brush
• Makeup Sponge – Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
• Blush/Powder Brush – e.l.f cosmetics Powder Brush
• Eyeshadow Brush – Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush

“The Player” Makeup Brush Guide

This is you if…

You LOVE playing around with makeup and you wear a mix of everyday looks, evening looks, and full on glam. Although you currently have a few makeup brushes in your collection, you’re probably only using a couple of them for multiple things because you don’t know what else you should buy.

Investing in a few key face + eyeshadow makeup brushes will make all the difference in the way your makeup looks and will help you blend everything better.

Recommended Brushes:

• Foundation Brush – Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
• Contour Brush – e.l.f. Cosmetics Contour Brush
• Fan Brush – Real Techniques Blush Crush 304 Fan Brush
• All Over Shadow Brush – Morphe M433 Pro Firm Blending Brush
• Blending Brush – Morphe M441 Pro Firm Blending Crease Brush

The Professional Makeup Brush Guide

This is you if…

You have been using/wearing makeup for years and your friends probably come to you for makeup advice on a constant basis. You live for finding the best makeup products around and you’re constantly watching youtube videos for inspiration for your next fun eye makeup look.

Although you currently own several makeup brushes, you’re probably in need of an upgrade. It’s time to trade in some of the cheaper brushes for some better quality ones that will help you look like the makeup rockstar you are!

Recommended Makeup Brushes:

• Foundation Brush – Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
• Blush/Powder Brush – It Brushes for Beauty Fully Flawless Blush Brush
• Contour Brush – e.l.f. Cosmetics Contour Brush
• Setting Powder Brush – Real Techniques Setting Brush
• Fan Brush – Real Techniques Blush Crush 304 Fan Brush
• All Over Shadow Brush – Morphe M433 Pro Firm Blending Brush
• Crease Brush – Morphe M330 Blending Crease Brush
• Blending Brush – Morphe M441 Pro Firm Blending Crease Brush
• Angled Liner Brush – Real Techniques Winged Liner Brush
• Lip Brush – Clinique Lip Brush

 

Read Next: How to Clean Makeup Brushes

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Hope you enjoyed today’s post on The Ultimate Makeup Brush Guide and I hope you found it helpful! What are you favorite makeup brushes in your collection? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for stopping by! – Cara

 

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