Tools of The Trade

Good Morning Class....



Yesterday, we spoke about foundations and concealers. Today we will be learning about the tools or brushes to apply them. Why use brushes you ask? Simple....Brushes apply less product, waste less product, apply products with more precision, and prevent the tranfer of bacteria from your hands to your face.



However, it is very important that you clean your brushes (that you have invested so much of your hard earned cash into) atleast three times a week. This can be done by using a mild baby shampoo and spraying sparingly with alcohol. Once they are clean, reshape the brush and leave to dry off a counter top. Doing this will keep your brushes in tip top shape!!!


There are sooooooo many different brushes out there on the market!!!! I even feel overwhelmed typing this. Billy B.(MAC senior artist) has a line of brushes, Jay Manual, Bobbi Brown, MAC, Lancome, Prescriptives, Sephora, Mally Roncal.......so your brand of brushes are limitless just make sure that the quality is there.


We are going to keep it restricted to foundation and concealer brushes today. There are two classes of brushes to apply foundation. There are flat synthetic brushes (artificial fibers) and natural hair brushes (usually made from animal hair...trimmed animal hair). Natural hair brushes tend to absorb the product and synthetic brushes pick the product up on the tip. The type of brush you should use with your foundation and concealer depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Below I have listed a couple of things to think about along with some of the brushes I like to use. Take Notes!!


1. If I am using an emollient product like a foundation stick, cream to powder, etc. I like to "buff" the product into the skin. By "buff," I mean making the foundation appear to be the person's own skin by using buffing motions(like when you buff wax onto a car). I never like to look like I am wearing foundation. The illusion of natural beauty is what I strive for. This is best acheived by using a natural hair brush or a brush that has a dome like tip. I prefer MAC brush in #192 and #109. However, there are brands that have flat synthetic concealer brushes for concealers.




2.Powdered products are better applied with full brushes or velour puffs. You want to use a brush that is full, because they apply the products softly and not just in one place. I generally have a kleenex handy to shake the excess powder off before applying to the face. I love the Bobbi Brown powder brush (it has a tapered tip).





3. Flat synthetic brushes are good for liquid products. Why? Liquids tend to sink down into natural fiber brushes, whereas with a synthetic brush the products remain on the tip. I love MAC #109, MAC #191, and MAC #188 (not flat, but has a flat head...good for buffing).



The point here is to take into account the shape of the brush and the materials used to make it. This will help you to determine what it will be best used as. For the beginner, it is best to just invest in a brush set. During this time of the year, Sephora is probably the best place. MAC has brush set during the holiday season and Nordstrom has them during their anniversary sale, which makes a perfect gift to yourself, of course. Now that we have covered the basics, I will not be giving out anymore "get out of jail free" cards for those of you that I see walking around with foundation lines.



Remember to scroll down below and take a quiz on your knowledge of America's Next Top Model!!!!