Makeup Tools 101: Sponges and Brushes

            Whether you are a beginner to makeup or a die-hard makeup addict, brushes and other makeup applicators are key to a flawless makeup application. These are our top picks of best sponges and brushes. We will cover what each tool is useful for, their purpose, and outcome. Let’s begin!

Sponges

Image Credit: Sephora

            The Beauty Blender has been in the makeup industry for years and has earned 5 Allure’s Best of Beauty Award. This makeup application tool is great to apply almost anything including primers, concealers, liquid foundations, cream blushes, tinted moisturizers, etc. It’s a very versatile tool that provides a streak-free application. The great part about it is that it is also very easy to use for any makeup beginner. The Beauty Blender blends any makeup seamlessly and flawlessly. Available at Sephora.

            

Image Credit: Ulta

Another sponge that is available for the fraction of the price is the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. The Beauty Blender and the Real Technique's Miracle Complexion Sponge share similar textures and purposes for flawless application. The Real Technique’s sponge has a tip edge like the Beauty Blender, but also a flat edge that is great for large parts of the face. Available at Ulta. 

            

Beauty sponges are great for a quick and precise makeup application. They can transform your regular makeup routine with one dab. The tips of the sponges are ideal for the hard to reach areas such as the corners of your nose and under the eyes. You can build your way up to a full coverage look or leave a pretty sheer coverage for a daytime look. Whether you are going out to the farmer’s market or to an evening event, these sponges won’t let you down to leaving your skin looking smooth and even. 

Overview:

Beauty Blender and Real Techniques-

Coverage: Buildable medium to full

Motion: Dab

Brushes

            A flat foundation brush, stippling brush, and a buffing brush all serve a different purpose and provide a different coverage to your look. Depending on what finish you want, you can choose the right tool before hurting your wallet.

Image Credit: Target

            Flat Foundation Brush: This kind of brush will probably give you the most coverage you desire. Unlike a buffing brush, a flat foundation brush glides onto your skin rather than the foundation being buffed into your skin. Sonia Kashuk is a lost gem in the beauty industry. The quality you are getting for such a reasonable price is ideal for any shopper. The Sonia Kashuk’s Pointed Foundation Brush No 121 has great quality bristles that pick up products without it being lost or soaked into the brush. The pointed edge is great to targeting certain or hard to reach spots.  Bonus: It is now on sale at Target for only $6.49! 

Image Credit: Sigma Beauty

            Buffing Brush: The purpose of a buffing brush is for your makeup to be really buffed into your skin. To get the most coverage either buff in circular motions or dab in any targeted spots such as blemishes or discoloration of the skin. A buffing brush works ideally with liquid products as well as pressed minerals. It leaves your skin looking more polished compared to using a flat foundation brush. The Sigma Beauty’s F80 Flat Kabuki is packed full of strong and dense bristles that works perfectly on large areas of the face such as cheeks and the forehead. Your product blends beautifully with this brush. With the price tag at $24, it’s definitely worth all the hype and results. Available at Sigma Beauty. If you are a beginner and new to using buffing brushes, check out the Real Technique’s Expert Face Brush. It has a round head and is smaller in size, which is great for small to large areas of the face. It is only $8.99 at Ulta and a great buffing brush to experiment with. 

Image Credit: MAC

            Stippling Brush: A stippling or duo fiber brush leaves your skin looking airbrushed and smooth. To achieve best results, work with this brush in circular motions with a light hand. It does leave a light to buildable medium coverage. We recommend using a stippling brush when applying either a sheer foundation or with a tinted moisturizer. The stippling brush of our choice is MAC’s 187 Duo Fibre Brush. The fibers are beautifully crafted and super lightweight for a sheen and flawless look. The 187 brush is available on MAC's website. Because this brush can be on the pricey side, there are many other stippling brushes out in the markets to try out. Two other great stippling brushes are from Real Techniques and BH Cosmetics.

           

Overview:

Flat Foundation Brush-

Coverage: All over full

Motion: Swipe

Buffing Brush-

Coverage: Buildable medium to full

Motion: Dab or circular 

Stippling Brush-

Coverage: Airbrushed and light to medium

Motion: Circular with light hand

Maintaining your sponges and brushes are very important to prolonging your tool's life. Stay tuned to see our picks for brush and sponge cleansers as well as an easy DIY cleanser.

XO,

RLS