Complete Guide on Types of Makeup Brushes and Uses
The world of makeup brushes is nothing less than a maze. From foundation brush, concealer brush, fan brush to angled eye makeup brush, crease brush, smudging brush, and lip brush, we can go on and on with the names of brushes for makeup application. At some point, it feels overwhelming to remember the names, and by the time you start understanding the makeup brush uses, you might realize it’s easier to use your fingertips. That’s where our beginner-friendly guide on makeup brushes comes in handy. Simply take a look at it, and you will understand which one to pick for your face, eyes, and lips, and most importantly, how to use each makeup brush. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Names of Brushes for Makeup and How to Use Them (Quick Overview)
|
Brush Name |
Purpose |
How to Use |
|
Foundation Brush |
Smooth base |
Dot & blend outward |
|
Concealer Brush |
Hide spots/under eyes |
Tap & blend upward |
|
Powder Brush |
Set makeup |
Sweep/buff lightly |
|
Highlighter Brush |
Add glow |
Sweep on high points |
|
Contour Brush |
Define face |
Place & blend upward |
|
Blush Brush |
Add colour |
Apply on cheeks, blend |
|
Stippling Brush |
Light blending |
Stipple & swirl |
|
Blending Brush |
Blend eyeshadow |
Use wiper motions |
|
Flat Eyeshadow Brush |
Pack colour/shimmer |
Press on lids |
|
Angled Eyeliner Brush |
Sharp liner/brows |
Short strokes |
|
Smudger Brush |
Smoky look |
Smudge along lash line |
|
Lip Brush |
Precise lips |
Outline & fill |
Names of Makeup Brushes and How To Use Them?
Let’s take a look at the different types of brushes and understand how to use them for the desired finish.
1. Face Makeup Brushes and Uses
Here are the names of brushes for makeup application on face.
• Foundation Brush
a. How Does it Look?:
Flat, slightly tapered brush with dense bristles, similar to a paintbrush.
b. Purpose:
Used to apply cream and liquid foundation.
c. How to Use Foundation Brush?
How to apply foundation with a brush? Dot foundation all over the face, then take the brush and swipe the product in an outward and downward motion. Build coverage as needed. Now you can tick off one item from your ‘how to use a makeup brush’ query list.
• Concealer Brush
a. How Does it Look?
Small, rounded or flat brush, compact to reach under eyes and blemishes.
b. Purpose:
Helps blend concealer under your eyes for a natural finish.
c. How to Use a Concealer Brush?
Dot concealer on the areas you want to correct and conceal. Blend it out in an upward motion for a creaseless finish.
• Powder Brush
a. How Does it Look?
Big, fluffy, dome-shaped brush.
b. Purpose:
A soft, fluffy powder brush is perfect for setting your face, enabling you to evenly distribute the powder on your face, without clinging to the dry patches. Also, ideal for applying blush and bronzer.
c. How to Use Powder Brush?
Dip the brush in your product and dust off the excess powder. Now, gently buff the powder across your face for an even finish.
• Highlighter Brush (Fan Brush)
a. How Does it Look?
It has a fanned-out shape.
b. Purpose:
Next in the list of names of brushes for makeup comes the highlighter brush, aka the fan brush. It helps evenly distribute powder highlighter across the high points of your face.
c. How to Use the Highlighter Brush?
Load some highlighter on your fan brush and sweep it lightly on the high points of your face.
• Contour Brush
a. How Does it Look?
Its bristles are diagonal, allowing it to cover the natural curves of the face.
b. Purpose:
Helps enhance your natural facial structures and define cheekbones, jawline, and nose.
c. How to Use Contour Brush?
Pick up the angled brush with contour powder/cream and glide it under cheekbones and blend upwards. Repeat the process along the jawline and sides of the nose for definition.
• Blush Brush
a. How Does it Look?
Fluffy, rounded brush, smaller than powder brush.
b. Purpose:
Wondering about the blush makeup brush use? It allows you to create a natural-looking flush of color on cheeks.
c. How to Use the Blush Brush?
Dip the brush into blush, tap off any excess, smile, and apply to the apples of your cheeks. Blend upward toward your temples.
• Stippling Brush
a. How Does it Look?
It’s a tightly packed brush with comes with two different fibre lengths.
b. Purpose:
While searching for the names of brushes for makeup, you must have come across a stippling brush. Its unique structure helps create a light, airbrushed look with cream or liquid product formula.
c. How to Use a Stippling Brush?
Dip into foundation, blush, or bronzer and stipple (tap) lightly onto skin, then swirl in circular motions to blend perfectly.
2. Eyeshadow Brushes Guide
Take a look at the names of the brushes for makeup used for eye makeup.
• Blending Brush
a. How Does it Look?
It is slightly domed shape and has densely packed bristles.
b. Purpose:
Perfect for blending your base colours and matte shades.
c. How To Use a Blending Brush?
Helps you blend out your eyeshadow effortlessly.
• Flat Brush
a. How Does it Look?
Small, flat, paddle-like brush.
b. Purpose:
Perfect for picking up pigments and applying your glitter eyeshadows or halo eyeshadow looks.
c. How To Use
Dip the brush into the product and press onto the eyelid using patting motions. Build colour intensity by layering.
• Angled Eyeliner Brush
a. How Does it Look?
Thin, angled brush.
b. Purpose:
To line with gel liner to create sharp eyeliner styles or define brows with accuracy.
c. How To Use
Dip into gel liner or brow pomade and apply short, accurate strokes along lash line or brow arches.
• Smudger Brush
a. How Does it Look?
Small, dense, rounded brush.
b. Purpose:
To create soft eyeliner look or smoky eye makeup.
c. How To Use
Apply product near the lash line and smudge back and forth softly for a smoky look.
3. Lip Makeup Brush Guide
a. How Does it Look?
Small, firm, tapered brush with a pointed tip.
b. Purpose:
For applying lipstick or gloss with control and accuracy.
c. How To Use
Pick up product on the brush, define your lips delicately, and fill in with smooth strokes for a smooth finish.
And there you have it! A guide packed with common names of brushes for makeup. Get your hands on these makeup tools and take inspiration from these makeup tips and looks.
In case you have some doubts selecting a particular face makeup, eye makeup, or lip makeup product, you can try the Virtual Try On tool to test out these products virtually without any commitment. You can also utilise the Foundation Shade Finder tool to find the correct shade match for your foundation.
