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How To Use Makeup Brushes — And What Each One Should Actually Be Used For

by BUST Magazine

If beauty tools make you say WTF, here’s our guide to getting an OMG look

 

EcoTools

Left three brushes, from left to right

These brushes (made from recycled aluminum and renewable bamboo) are as soft as they come—seriously, you need to feel ’em.

Angled liner brush
(from EcoTools’ Starter Set, $12.99)

Use this to apply gel liner for the sharpest wing in the game (or fill your brows with its angled bristles and
some brow powder).

Lash and brow groomer
(from EcoTools’ Starter Set, $12.99)

Brows feeling unmanageable? Brush them into shape, then turn the wand to de-clump your mascara with the comb.

Blending and bronzing brush ($9.99)

Perfect for applying powder to give an even finish or popping bronzer on your face where the sun naturally hits.

Real Techniques

middle three brushes, from left to right

Created by YouTube makeup tutorial goddesses Sam and Nic Chapman, this brand offers videos on their site about how to use each brush. The beautiful design is an added bonus to the top-notch quality.

102 Triangle Concealer ($15)

The triangle design makes getting concealer into every nook and cranny
a breeze.

301 Flat Contour ($21)

Use this to pop a powder a few shades darker than your skin tone in the hollows of your cheeks for a contoured look.

203 Tapered Shadow ($13)

Add depth to the crease of your eye
or blend your shadows with this
tapered staple.

Shany

right three brushes, from left to right

Not all sets from Shany are animal-fiber-free, but these three from their PETA-endorsed Vegan Mineral Pro Set of 12 (which comes in a hot pink carrying case; $15) are! 

Round medium shadow brush

Perfect for packing color or glitter on the lid when you want to go bold. 

Smudging sponge

Eliminate any harsh lines from cream eyeliners or shadows with this for a blended look. 

Liner brush

Get super precise cream eyeliner results when you use this ultra-thin number, whether you want a minimal look or a dramatic one.

 By Katie Hensch

Photographed by Megan Senior

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Founded in 1993, BUST is the inclusive feminist lifestyle trailblazer offering a unique mix of humor, female-focused entertainment, uncensored personal stories, and candid reporting that tells the truth about women’s lives.

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