What Makeup Brushes Do You Really Need?

Is your makeup looking a little off these days? Have you been using the same free brush that came with an eyeshadow palette you finished years ago? (It’s okay, we’ve all done that.) It might be time to invest in new makeup brushes. But how do you choose the right brushes for the look you’re trying to achieve? If you don’t wear a lot of makeup, do you still need good brushes? I recently spoke with incredibly talented makeup artist Nick Lujan to get the ultimate makeup brush tutorial. 

makeup brushes

Are good makeup brushes worth the splurge?

High-quality makeup brushes such as the newly launched Artist Brush Series from Kevyn Aucoin are worth the money if you want your makeup to look its best. “Quality makeup brushes will always be the best for even application of product, slicker, sharper lines, smooth blends, and building color payoff,” says Lujan. “The tools will always give you the best visibility factor and the synthetic fibers are easier to clean.”

Here’s the other thing you might not have realized about investing in a good set of brushes — they can actually save you money in the long run. “Quality brushes also tend to absorb less product and are more durable,” says Lujan. So, if you’ve noticed you’re going through makeup really quickly these days, you might want to consider some new brushes. 

How to clean makeup brushes

No matter what type of brush you go with, cleaning and maintaining them is crucial. Yes, you’ve got to do the work. Lujan recommends a deep cleansing once or twice a week.

“Dispense a small amount of brush shampoo onto brush fibers,” says Lujan. “Then add water to activate the formula. Swirl brush in hand or silicone polishing pad. Rinse the brush well until the water runs clean. Squeeze excess water from the brushes then gently reshape the brush head and lay flat to dry on a towel overnight.”

How to store makeup brushes 

It turns out that shoving your makeup brushes in a tiny bag squeezed between an oversized contour palette and four mascaras isn’t a good idea. Use a cup or canister. Storing brushes properly will help keep them in better shape for a long period of time. 

Double-ended brushes require special storage. “For double-ended brushes, I love storing them in a pencil box,” says Lujan. “That way, they lay flat.”

Toss your blender

Feeling sick of using a blender to apply foundation? Good. Throw it out, stop spending money on something disposable, and use a foundation brush instead. “I love a foundation brush over fingers and sponges,” says Lujan. “Oftentimes, with fingers and sponges, your visibility is compromised in the application process because your hand obstructs the line of view. A longer stemmed brush gives you the best visibility.”

Lujan touts Kevyn Aucoin’s new Duet Foundation Brush because it has both a cover and a buffing end. “Use the cover end to dot, swipe, and place your foundation with precision around the face,” says Lujan. “The cover brush is precision enough for you to be able to apply foundation in all the hard-to-reach areas with ease (around the brow, lip, and lash line).” 

Then, flip the brush to the buff end, which feels a bit like a sponge. “The shape of the buff end lends well to bouncing and buffing, for a smooth, seamless application,” explains the makeup artist. 

What makeup brushes do you really need?

With so many types of brushes, it’s hard to know what you really need when it comes down to the absolute basics. If you can only get a few makeup brushes, Lujan suggests the Duet Foundation Brush, Duet Concealer Brush, Duet Blush Brush (which can be used for highlighting, contouring, bronzer, and blusher), Duet Precision Shadow Brush (for smudging liner and pressing on color), and Duet Definer Brush (to use for liner, brows, and lips).

Lujan recommends choosing a brush based on the type of product you’re applying. For example, if you’re applying liquids and creams, Lujan advises going with a brush that has a straight-fiber brush head that tapers to a point. 

Need a brush for powder? “I always look for a wavy-fiber brush head that is fluffier and tapers to a rounded or angled tip (no sharp edges),” says Lujan.

But what if you don’t wear a lot of makeup?

As cool as it looks on TikTok, not all of us wear a full face with eye makeup every single day. So what’s a minimalist to do? “I think the most important will always be the complexion brushes,” says Lujan. “If the complexion is great, you may get away with just a simple brow, lash curl, mascara, and lip gloss look. You may not need shadow brushes to start.”

Beauty Live

About Amanda Lauren

Originally from New York City, Amanda Lauren currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two dogs Milo and Lulu. Rarely seen in an actual gym, she is a group fitness enthusiast who enjoys Pilates (both East Coast and West Coast styles), spin, barre, power plates, yoga and her newest obsession, versa climbing. She will try any group fitness class at least once. When Amanda isn’t working out or trying to find the perfect pair of pink sneakers, she blogs about her adventures in fitness as well as fashion, lifestyle and beauty on ItsAmandaLauren.com.