Sometimes the biggest beauty heros, aren’t concealers and primers, but rather sponges and brushes that make the make-up happen.
Often the most important products are the ones behind the scenes.
Sure, there’s foundation which makes us glow, that one lipstick you can’t live without, or the concealer which works wonders after a big night. But what about the application process. And by application, I mean tools vs fingers.
Full transparency here, I have only been using beauty tools such as sponges and brushes for the last two years. Prior to that, it was all about the fingers.
Yes, yes, it was messy, but I felt I could apply foundation better with my fingers and blend eyeshadows perfectly without a brush. Until I was shown how to use a brush and sponge to apply makeup by a make-up artist.
The whole experience was fairly enlightening. And it occurred to me, the real reason I never used any beauty tools to help me apply makeup, was because I didn’t know how and had no confidence to do it.
My late mother loved makeup, and I have many fond memories sitting in the bathroom with mum watching her apply foundation, eyeshadow, lipstick and mascara. She never used beauty tools, it was all fingers. And this was undoubtedly the reason why I had spent my life (up until recently) applying makeup using fingers only.
So, I am the first to admit how using beauty tools to apply makeup has changed my life.
Here are five reasons why they could change yours too:
- Blending: Firstly, using a proper brush or sponge to apply liquid foundation means you can blend a lot easier into the neck line without any streak lines. And when blending with primers and concealers, the brush works to seal any age lines, cover spots and give you a flawless finish.
- Softening: For blush, when using the proper brush, you can adjust the depth of the blush easier than if you were blending into your cheekbone line with fingers. For a soft look you lightly dust, and for a more polished and defined look you blend a few layers of blush into the cheekbone line to create more definition.
- Eyeshadow: It took me a while to adjust to using smaller makeup brushes to apply eyeshadow. However, since mastering how to blend different tones from your eyeshadow palette to create interesting textures in the creases of my eye, I have stopped using the humble finger to blend and have never looked back.
- Bronzing: It’s nearly impossible to apply bronzer without a brush. Bronzers are another beauty item I have been obsessing over recently and it is fairly impossible to apply bronzer without a brush. Not only will it look like you four year old niece did your makeup, it just doesn’t blend using fingers and you’ll either looked like a burnt orange or sparkle like a disco ball.
- Bacteria. Now this was the main reason why I switched from using fingers to applying foundation, to brushes. Of course, it’s important to note that we should all be regularly cleaning our beauty tools to prevent the spread of bacteria. But, what I didn’t realise is how much bacteria is being spread across your face when you use your hands to apply makeup. As someone who was always getting styes in the eye, I can report since using brushes to apply eye makeup, I have not had a stye in more than two years. Yay me.
- If you’re new to the whole concept of using beauty tools for your makeup application, these are the three you need to start with. They will change your life and the way you apply makeup – for the better.
Beautyblender The Original Beautyblender RRP $30
The beautyblender sponge is the super multitasker of beauty tools, it can be used to apply Foundation, BB Cream, CC Cream, Concealer, bronzer and highlighter.
And here’s a beauty hack, if you lightly dampen the sponge and squeeze out all moisture from the sponge before using to apply makeup, the finish to your face is flawless as the wet sponge works so easily to blend all makeup into the skin. Oh, and it’s really easy to hold in your hand too.
It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7 RRP $68
This was the brush that started it all for me and was my first introduction to using a beauty tool to apply makeup, and I still use it today.
You use the larger brush to perfectly blend foundation and concealer into the skin, then flip it to use the smaller brush for the perfect blend into smaller spaces around the face, such as the nose and eye area, and it’s also great for blotting out nasty blemishes.
Real Techniques Enhanced Eye Set RRP $45
When I was introduced to eyeshadow application, this was the kit I was taught with. I started small using the blending brush and the lash separator, before building confidence to move on to the other tools which define the eye more.
This is the only eye brush set you’ll need. Inside you’ll find a variety of different brushes, such as a medium brush tapered brush for sweeping eyeshadow, a crease brush for definition, a fine liner brush which can be used for eyeliner application, and a shading brush for blending a lash separator.
Eco Tools Correcting Concealer Brush RRP $12.99
Can be used for either powder or liquid concealer to provide precise spot coverage of dark circles, redness and other skin imperfections like blemishes.
The compact bristles are soft and easily buff and blend any concealer into the skin, for a perfect airbrushed look when hiding things on the skin you wish not to be seen.
Of course you’ll also need to add beauty tool cleanup products to help you keep those brushes and sponges sparkly clean, to stop the spread of any bacteria on the face, especially your eye brushes. These are my favourite two beauty tool cleaners:
Stylpro Makeup Brush Cleaner and Dryer RRP $59.95
This powerful battery operated makeup brush cleaner cleans and dries your brushes in thirty seconds, making cleaning your tools less time consuming and less of a chore.
To clean makeup from brushes, you simply fill the bowl with a small amount of cleaning solution which comes with the Stylpro kit, pop your brush into the battery operated holder, dunk the brush into the solution and then start the spin. Making sure the brush is well contained within the container to prevent any splashing. You can have it spin a few times in the solution for a deep clean and then slowly lift the brush out of the solution, leaving the brush spinning within the container. Switch off and pull the brush out, to reveal a very clean and dry makeup brush.
Beauty Blender Solid Unscented Sponge and Brush Cleaner RRP $25
Perfect for sensitive skin, this cleaner has been made using sustainable palm oils, aloe vera and coconut oil which helps to life grime from your sponges and brushes.
It’s also travel sized and fits into any toiletries or makeup bag. Simply wet your sponge and then rub on the solid cleaning soap creating a lather. Rinse and squeeze out all the dirt and grime and repeat if necessary until clean. Then run each under warm water, rinse out well and let dry on the custom grid provided which will help it air properly and take all the moisture out. The same process can also be used for brushes to clean, using the same technique.
