Makeup Tools You Must Have

Having the right tools for the job is a requirement and that counts for makeup tools too!  Most makeup have applicators included.  That's nice, but they aren't engineered to create the best use of the makeup.  They are also harder to use for the flawless finish you are hoping for, and they use up your makeup much faster.  Maybe they are designed that way to make sure you have to buy makeup more often?

Everyone that wears makeup, even if it's only for special occasions really needs to have a serious set of brushes and tools.

Must Have Makeup Tools:

• Q-tips!  Q-tips will help erase smudges, help blend eyeliner and too many other uses to list right now.  Someday maybe I will write and "ode to the Q-Tip, they are that important.  They can be used as eye shadow applicators in a pinch, but I don't recommend them for that as they will use your eye shadow up way faster than the traditional applicator or a brush.

• Tweezers.  Get a good pair, they last forever.

• Triangle sponges.  These sponges are a must for applying makeup and helping to blend eye shadow and stipple in concealer.  The triangular points really help get into all areas of your face.  Use them damp for foundation application, and dry for blending eye shadow. 

Brushes, Brushes, Brushes!

Brushes are your BEST friend when it comes to applying makeup.  When it comes to brushes, don't play around with the dollar store version.  Get a quality brush.  It will give you a quality look and will last forever and a day if you take proper care of it.

Most brushes are a matter of preference.  Here is a list of the top brushes available and what they can do for you:

• Foundation Brush - These brushes are compact and obviously, are for applying makeup.  We don't really use these as the wet sponges work best for us.  If you have a lot of cover up work to do though, you'll definitely want to have one of these on hand.

• Concealer Brush - These are smaller than a foundation brush and used to apply concealer so it will do it's job, conceal, without being noticeable.  Using a finger to apply concealer will work against you as most of it will stay on your fingers.  If you ever need to conceal a blemish or red spot, you'll want a good concealer brush.

• Powder Brush - I love these brushes, they are big and round and so soft!  They'll set your powder with the perfect finish.  This one is a must have.

• Blush Brush - These are smaller than the powder brushes with either rounded or tapered ends.  It's a matter of preference which one you use.  Try several before you splurge on what you like best, or have both on hand in case you ever want to do some contour facial effects with your brush and bronzers.

The Eyes Have It!

Eye brushes come in so many shapes and sizes it will boggle your brain if you allow it.  Start with the basics and go from there.

• Eyebrow Brush - This stiff little brush will put some color in your eyebrows without too much guesswork.  Make sure and use this as short sharp brushes.  You want to pretend like you are drawing on extra eyebrows so you don't get that straight line look from the 40's and 50's.  Can you say horrible?  Keep it natural looking, and while you are at it, don't overpluck your brows either.

• Eye Shadow Brush - The one you really want has a square head, but you'll want to play around with other shapes too.  Find one that fits the crease of your eyelid to a perfection for a shadow effect that is nothing short of amazing.

• Eye Liner Brush - This brush will give you a blended look to your eye shadow, blending it to the perfect smokiness.  That is so much more attractive than a hard thick line.

• Blending Brush - This is like a mini blush brush, but only to help blend your eyeshadow together a bit.  ALWAYS blend your shadow.  This brush works wonders to give you that smoldering gaze you are hoping for.  Especially when you go with the smokier shades.

Don't Forget Your Lips!

Most of us don't use lip brushes anymore, but have one on hand.  For super special occasions, you are going to want the control that a brush will give you.  Putting the lipstick on from the stick is easy and convenient, but it won't hold a candle to how you can create a gorgeous effect with a brush.

The color, style, and size of the handle is all up to you.  Just pick what you are comfortable with.  We like the long handled ones better, they are just more fun!  The short handled ones travel better though, so we suggest a collection of both.

Makeup Brush Care

Caring for your brushes is easy.  Keep them in a case if possible, especially if you spray hairspray or perfume where you do your makeup.  You don't want the over-spray to gum up your brushes.  One of the coolest ideas we've seen for this is a fishing tackle box.  They make great makeup cases.

Typically, brushing your brushes out on a soft clean cloth will get the extra makeup off of them and they'll be ready for your next makeup adventure.  Occasionally you'll want to wash them though.  Use shampoo and treat them just as you would as if you were washing your hair.  Keep them straight and flat though.  You don't want to bend the hairs in the brush around.  Flick them briskly for a few minutes to get the extra water out of them and allow them to air dry standing brush end up in any container.  Give them about a day to dry and they'll be good to go!