The world of makeup brushes is forever expanding, so even if you know all of the basics, there may be a few brushes you’re not so familiar with. Take a look at some of the more uncommon ones below and discover what they’re best used for…
#1 Fan brush
How to use a fan brush: Fan brushes are ideal for lightly dusting make-up products such as highlighter or bronzer onto the face. You can also use a clean one to catch and sweep away any excess eyeshadow or fallout without disturbing the rest of your make-up.
bh recommends: M.A.C Brush 184
#2 Stippling brush (also known as a duo fibre brush)
How to use a stippling brush: A stippling brush is very versatile, but best used for applying liquid or cream make-up products, like foundation and blush. Use the white tips to pick up your product and dot it onto the desired area. Then use a circular motion to allow the black, denser bristle to blend the product in.
bh recommends: Real Techniques Stippling Brush
#3 Lash brush
How to use a lash brush: You probably already guessed that this one is designed to apply mascara. It’s particularly handy for make-up artists so they can clean and reuse, but other uses include applying lash tint, glitter or colour to your lashes. A clean one can also be used to separate lashes that have clumped together.
bh recommends: Rae Morris Brush 17 Mascara Applicator, $20, raemorris.com
#4 Small angled brush
How to use a small angled brush: A small angled brush is a nifty little friend to have. Its most popular use is for nailing a winged eye with gel eyeliner, but it can also be used for defining and filling in brows or creating sharp lines with eyeshadow.
bh recommends: Manicare X Liz Kelsh Brow/Eye Defining Brush
#5 Buffing brush
How to use a buffing brush: Buffing brushes are very dense with a flat edge, making them ideal for flawlessly buffing in base products. Plus the flat edge means you can easily pump product straight onto the bristles with no spills.
bh recommends: Nude by Nature Buffing Brush
#6 Rectangle kabuki brush
How to use a rectangle kabuki brush: Perhaps not the ‘official’ name of these rectangular-looking brushes (different brands have given them different names), but we thought it was pretty fitting considering the big fluffy bristles and larger surface area of the brush. Also similar to a kabuki, you can use this brush to buff in bronzers on the face and body or apply powder and liquid foundation. Some also like to utilise the unique shape for contouring.
bh recommends: Eco Tools Face & Body Sculpting Brush
