Having the right tool for every beauty job can be the difference between a good result, and a great result.
It’s kind of like when a Masterchef contestant forgets to season their dish. If ONLY they’d added that pinch of salt, they might have won dish of the day.
So if you want your beauty routine to be a 10/10, make sure your beauty toolbox is stocked with the essentials.
The best beauty tools for… PERFECT MAKE-UP
A make-up sponge
Use it to: Seamlessly apply and blend your base liquid or cream make-up products (foundation, concealer, blush etc). Look for an egg-shaped design to fit into all the different contours of your face.
bh recommends:DB Cosmetics Microfibre Beauty Sponge
A lash curler
Use it to: Give lift to straight lashes, to make them appear longer and fluttery. Curling your lashes before applying mascara will help the mascara perform better in terms of volume and length.
bh recommends:QVS Eyelash Curler
RELATED: How to master your make-up
A basic brush set
Use it to: Apply powders and eye make-up. You don’t need to have every make-up brush available, but a basic big fluffy brush, plus some smaller ones to perfect your eyeshadow, liner and brows will come in handy. M.A.C Senior Artist Carol Mackie says that brushing the brows up “will create an instant eye lift.”
bh recommends: Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Set
A good pair of tweezers
Use it to: Maintain your brows and apply false lashes. Make sure to choose a pair with good grip so you’re removing hairs from the root (instead of just breaking them off) and always have your false lashes placed at the ready in your tweezers before applying glue.
bh recommends:Sally Hansen Brows that Wow
The best beauty tools for… GLOWING SKIN
A cleansing brush
Use it to: Give your skin a really deep clean and promote cell renewal. Cleansing thoroughly will also help to “prepare your skin for treatment products such as serums and night creams,” says Monique Dickson, Dermal Therapist at Ultraderm and Registered Nurse.
bh recommends:FOREO LUNA 3
A face cloth
Use it to: Exfoliate the skin and tighten pores during and after cleansing. Look for one that is 100 per cent pure cotton to help purify the skin.
bh recommends:Kosmea Five Minute Facial™ Muslin Cloth
RELATED: The anti-ageing products you should be using
A facial massager
Use it to: Stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage. It’s like having a facial in the comfort of your own home! When used regularly it can help to improve skin tone and reduce puffiness and wrinkles.
bh recommends:The Body Shop Oils of Life Twin-Ball Facial Massager
The best beauty tools for… BEAUTIFUL HAIR
A hairbrush
Use it to: Detangle the hair and promote shine. Brushing your hair will also stimulate the scalp to help your locks grow stronger and healthier.
bh recommends:Mason Pearson Handy Pure Bristle
Hair clips
Use them to: Section the hair for styling, DIY colouring or simply just to pin it out of the way!
bh recommends:Lady Jayne Section Clips
RELATED: How to create 7 different hair styles
A versatile curl stick
Use it to: Create waves, curls, texture and movement. Look for a barrel that’s thick at the base, but thinner towards the tip so your curls can be all different sizes depending on how you use it.
bh recommends:muk Curl Stick
A quality hairdryer
Use it to: Dry your hair fast. Because let’s be honest, anything else requires a bit of skill. But if you can manage a blow-dry, Neil Cleminson, bhave Technical & Creative Director says, “Always use a nozzle on your hairdryer as this will give you more control and help keep your hair around the brush as you dry and style, as well as giving a smoother and shinier finish.”
bh recommends:VS Sassoon 3Q Brushless Digital Dryer – VSP3QA
The best beauty tools for… A FLAWLESS FAKE TAN
An exfoliating glove
Use it to: Exfoliate dead skin cells pre-tan to create a smooth canvas and remove any traces of previous self-tan. Focus particularly on dry areas like the knees and elbows.
bh recommends:Bondi Sands Exfoliating Glove
An applicator mitt
Use it to: Apply your self-tan for a streak-free result and to protect you from ‘fake tan hands’. St. Tropez Skin Perfecting Expert Michael Brown says to always start from the feet and work your way up when self-tanning, so you don’t create creases in your tan from bending down.
bh recommends:St. Tropez Applicator Mitt
RELATED: Become a DIY beauty pro
A back applicator
Use it to: Reach that spot in the middle of your back! You won’t need to enlist the help of a friend or your man anymore. Look for one made out of the same material as your mitt for an even tan all over.
bh recommends: Loving Tan Easy to Reach Back Applicator, $24.95, adorebeauty.com.au
The best beauty tools for… AN IMMACULATE MANI-PEDI
Nail clippers
Use them to: Trim both your nails and toenails. Keeping your nails short will help to prevent splitting and breakage.
bh recommends:QVS Nail Clippers
A 4-way buffer
Use it to: File, buff and shine the nails. You only need to do this about once a week, to prevent ridges from forming and keep nails smooth and healthy.
RELATED: The ultimate guide to hand cream
bh recommends:Manicare 4 Way Buffer
A foot file
Use it to: Remove dead, rough skin from the feet. Using one before applying foot cream will help the product to penetrate further and produce smoother results.
bh recommends:OPI Callus Foot File
Toe separators
Use them to: Keep toes apart during the painting process, for cleaner access to the toenails and to avoid smudging.
bh recommends:Mavala Switzerland Pedi Pads
What’s your favourite beauty tool? Are any of these products in your toolbox?
Main image credit: @hellomelissao
would love to purchase and give a few of these items a go