A Makeup Brush for Every Job

Bronzer or Powder
Use a soft hair brush that is full, but not too dense. The effect you want is a dusting of color. If you use a dense sable brush to apply your bronzing powder, you risk the chance of having it look like dirt on the face.

• Alison Raffaele Kabuki Brush ($50): "This brush has got to be the Rolls Royce of all brushes. It is made of 100 percent premium goat hair (cruelty-free), by the way. And it truly feels like cashmere on your face. This brush is the ultimate in luxury! I just love it for finishing off my makeup. It blends everything together for a perfect, finished look. I also use the brush in late afternoon if I'm going out for the evening. Just fluff the brush over your face, all traces of oil and smudge are gone! No reapplication of makeup required. The brush is about 3 1/2 inches high and fits perfectly in your makeup bag. Don't leave home without it!" --Linda Davis, 58
• Smashbox Bronzer Brush ($52): "I didn't know it was possible to feel so passionate about a scarlet, wooden-handled makeup applicator, but I must admit ... I'm obsessed with this brush! The hair feels like velvet on my cheeks -- not like cheap scratchy bristles. Instead of dreading my morning makeup ritual, I find myself looking forward to the powder and bronzer portion of it. Using this brush is a true pleasure. Even though the brush is downy soft, the bristles are stiff enough to keep your makeup from straying from the intended area (it's the best tool I've found for applying blush on the apples of your cheeks). And the brush size is perfect for face powder, highlighters, bronzers or a little shimmery body powder on the decolletage. I was shocked by the price, but countless makeup artists have told me quality brushes are an investment that will last a lifetime." --Jamie Matula, 34
• Sephora Bronzer Brush ($25): "I love this brush. It's big and oh, so soft. I've used it for bronzer and for powder foundation and both go on so easily with this brush. The handle is a perfect size also. I've never been one to spend lots of money on makeup brushes, but I think this one is worth it." --Sue Klemann, 48
• Nars Bronzer Brush ($50): "This brush is soft, but the bristles are arranged to be somewhat firm. This really helps put bronzer exactly where I want it. Looser brushes cause the powder to poof out all over my face. This is a helpful tool, but I can't help but wonder if less expensive versions are just as good." --Amy Royster, 29
• Pixi Face/Bronzer Brush ($45): This one feels great and leaves you with a perfect layer of bronzer, but that's not all it leaves. You also will find little black bristles all over your face. Honestly, I can't imagine paying $45 for a brush. Sure it feels great, but the price is ridiculous." --Sally Sevareid

Blush
Don't use a large powder brush to apply your blush. It will leave too much color on the face. Use a blush brush instead. It looks like a smaller version of the powder brush, is the size of your cheek and will give you more control.

Eyelids
Use a flat, wide fluff brush.

Crease of the eye
Use a slightly smaller brush.

Eyeliner
Use a brush as thin as the line you are trying to achieve.

• Fresh Wet/Dry Eyeliner Brush ($18): "The brush allows me to blend my eyeliner for a softer look. That's important, because otherwise, I would shy away from wearing eyeliner at all. I did pile on the stuff recently for an '80s party and this brush allowed me to create a totally awesome Pat Benatar look!" --Amy Royster, 29
• Stila Precision Eyeliner Brush ($18): "This is hands-down the best I have ever used, but then again, I've never paid $18 for an eyeliner brush. It gives you perfect control and the fine bristles are soft, yet compact, so there is no unintentional smudging." --Sally Sevareid

Lips

• Paula Dorf Retractable Lip Brush ($20): "This retractable lip brush is awesome -- mostly because of its retractable design. The brush itself works fine and is a great size, but the fact that it's retractable and you can slip it in your purse without worrying about lip color going everywhere is the best feature." --Sue Kleman, 48
• Becca Portable Lip Brush ($30): I have a problem with lip brushes -- I never use them! It's so much easier to grab a tube of lipstick and just roll it on, and most glosses come with their own applicators. But here's the reason I should use one: A great lip brush helps you stay in the lines and keeps you from wasting product. That said, this has to be the Porsche of brushes -- sleek and sassy, the protective cover fits onto the handle to extend the length of the brush when you use it. The brush head is the perfect size for my lips, not overwhelming, but not tiny. The fibers are soft but stiff enough to apply gloss and lipstick. It's pricey, and I'm sure there are equally fine brushes at lower prices, but this one is top-notch." --Jamie Matula, 34

Brush Sets

• Sephora Slim Essential Brush Set ($38): Includes a powder brush, blush brush, large eyeshadow brush, small eyeshadow brush and a retractable lip brush.

  "Sephora has it all, and this brush set is no exception! The set includes five brushes in a neat little case that can slip easily into your purse, backpack or briefcase. The soft brushes feel wonderful on your face, and the best news is, the fibers don't come off on your face like some brushes I've used in the past. No one needs or deserves stray hairs on their face. The brush combination is called 'essential' and it is. This is a must-have!" --Linda Davis, 58

• Sephora Face & Eye Travel Tool Kit ($32): Includes blush brush, eyeshadow blending brush, eyeshadow smudge brush, eyeshadow crease brush and an angled brow/liner brush.

  "This set is fantastic. So much for your money! The sophisticated black case is tiny and perfect for travel or popping in your handbag for those girl-about-town makeup touch-ups. Love the magnetic closure. This really is one of those 'the-eyes-have-it' brush sets. With the exception of the blush brush, it's all about dolling up your eyes. The brushes are ultra-soft and seem to be durable. This set is a must-have for every girl on the go." --Jamie Matula, 34

• Sephora Face & Eye Travel Tool Kit ($32): "Just call me Picasso, because I've got enough brushes in this collection to create any look I want! With the exception of a big powder brush, you really don't need anything else except this kit. There's a blush brush, a couple shadow brushes and a smudge brush, plus a liner brush. They are all great quality brushes and the case makes them the perfect traveling companion. These will get a lot of use!" --Sue Klemann, 48
• Sephora Portfolio Brush Set ($42): Includes a blush brush, powder/complexion brush, eyeshadow blending brush, eyeshadow detail brush, concealer brush and a retractable lip brush.

  "I've had a makeup moment. Before this beauty-school brush up, I thought special brushes were too much trouble, or a ploy to extract more of my money at the makeup counter. I was as wrong as pink mascara. Now I know that every previous makeup application of my life has been the equivalent of pre-school finger painting. I've finally graduated on to a more professional look. It's easier to apply eyeshadow with the detail brush (as opposed to say, my finger!) and it gets the powder exactly where I want it without waste. The retractable lip brush allowed me to blend more than one lipstick for some cool personalized color combinations. The blush brush and powder brush gave me a more finished look than the cheap puff I'd been using. And powder eyeliner finally made sense to me when applied with precision and blended for a soft look." --Amy Royster, 29

• Sephora Portfolio Brush Set ($42): "I've had the pleasure of having been made up by a professional makeup artist about five times in my life. I noticed they never used foamed tip applicators like the ones that usually come with eyeshadows. They all used brushes for everything that involved powder. I had lots of unused makeup brushes at home. They were 'freebies' that come with gift-with-purchase promotions. I recently started using them and now I'm hooked! Here are a few things I've learned along the way. First, practice makes perfect. Don't use them for the first time when you are in a rush. Second, have an old hand towel nearby to catch any powder overflow and to wipe the brushes when finished. The Portfolio Brush Set is fabulous. A big brush for a light dusting of facial powder or bronzer, an angled brush for blush, several smaller brushes for your eyes and even a lip brush. As much as I love this set, I will admit my cheaper brushes worked just as well; they just don't feel as good." --Sally Sevareid

Source: Palm Beach Post. Powered by Yellowbrix.