That’s the Beauty of it!

 Makeup tools, which ones do I really need?

So you are still wondering what brushes you really need to purchase to get that perfect application when applying Mineral Makeup?  Well, to be honest you can get by with just three basic brushes if you need to. Of course it’s always fun to have a few extra brushes to play with! But, here are the three main brushes that you will want to invest in for starters!

The Kabuki - Real or synthetic hair, mini or large its all a personal decision.  Just be sure the brush hairs feel dense and the bristles are not too stiff.  I prefer the synthetic brushes as they are much softer on my sensitive skin and apply the minerals very well. Kabukis will typically give you a medium to full coverage in the least amount of steps.  I know what you are thinking too, synthetic brushes shed hairs and fall apart so quickly!  That was true just a few years ago but, today we have much better quality brushes that dont shed, and actually will last longer than natural hair brushes!
 
A Concealer Brush -  These are typically synthetic bristle brushes. They do not absorb as much as a natural hair brush so they are great for applying a liquid or dry concealer. My daughters like to mix some of their lotion along with a concealer to create their own liquid concealer.  They use the brush to apply the concealer to areas that have had breakouts and are slightly drier than the rest of their skin.  This is my favorite brush for applying my concealer to all those broken blood vessels that keep popping up as I get older.  

A Blush or Finishing Powder Brush - I typically use my Tapered Cheek Brush to apply my blush and then dip it into my Satin Finishing Silk to finish my daytime makeup routine.  If you dont have a Tapered Cheek or some other blush brush you can always use the Flawless Face or similar type of brush. Don’t worry about using the same brush for more than one thing, as long as there is not too much sheen in a product, brushes can be used for many different applications. 

So those are the three basic must have brushes in my opinion.  Some other brushes or tools you will want to eventually invest in are: 

Tweezers - Just spend the extra couple of dollars to get the good one! Well, unless you’re prone to losing them like my daughter. But, a good tweezer will get those fine little hairs and save you so much more money in the long run compared to waxing. Besides, waxing breaks down the collagen around the eyes and makes those droopy lids appear much faster than any of us want!

Eyelash Curler -  This is a must for me!  I have stick straight, white eyelashes that stick out like a sore thumb!  A quick curl and a coat of mascara will make your eyes pop and create a totally finished look to your makeup. Dont invest in the heated eyelash curlers they are harsh on your eyelashes just like a straightening iron and sometimes if used inncorrectly can cause burns to the eyelids.  My eyes tear up just thinking about it!

Eye Brow Brush/Comb -   Yes you need to tame those monsters! The comb is great when you need to hold the hairs that need to be trimmed instead of plucked and the brush works great when dipped in minerals to fill in those sparse areas that have been overplucked!

Eye Shadow Brush - Yes, I said brush.  Sponge applicators are ok for shadows that have tons of glitter but, brushes work just as well if not better!  You may choose to have a few different shapes and sizes as well.  I like using the Wet/Dry Brush for all over application and the Smudge Brush for getting into the crease of my eye.  Each brush has a specific job, but you can get by with one good quality brush to start with.  

Eye Liner Brush  -  Whether it is a Thin Liner, a Flat Liner or a Line and Smudge everyone needs a little definition to their eyes.  Find a brush that is comfortable in your hand at all angles and lining will be a quick and easy task! If you like a thicker line or cat eyes try a Lip Liner Brush.  It makes drawing the line much easier in one quick swoop.

 

Fan Brush - Fan brushes are nice but, not absolutely necessary. They remove loose eye shadow from under the eyes without streaking and can be used for applying Bronzers or Finishing Powders that contain a slight amount of sheen.

 

Alright, those are the basics of brushes. Just be sure to buy quality brushes the first time, so you dont have to keep investing in a new brush every few months. It will actually save you big money in the long run!

Next time I will go over the different hair types used in makeup brushes. In the mean time here’s a question for you.  Is a Camel hair brush really made out of Camel hair and if so what part of the camel do they get it from?

Written by DeAnna Nelson from Mineral Silk Mineral Makeup

Tags: Beauty Tools, Brushes, Makeup Brushes, Mineral Makeup Brushes

 

Do I have to use all those Makeup Tools to apply my Makeup?

When I first starting experimenting with makeup at the age of 12, I used the brushes that came with the products.  Like those little sponge applicators or the teeny tiny blush brushes that came in my Bonne Bell Blush compacts.  I never understood how you were supposed to use one sponge applicator with 12 different eye shadows in the pallette? Well, over the years I started to get frustrated with those little brushes and the mess they would make. Or worse watching the sponge heads fall off the little plastic stick within a week.  So I did what any smart, savy girl would do, I started using my fingers!  I applied my eyeshadow with either my fingers or grabbed a q-tip to create some wet and wild looks. I applied my blush with my fingers and a cotton ball to smoothe it out, and well my foundation was liquid so what better than my fingers to apply that as well. Who needs a brush, I had fingers to create my perect makeup look! 

Well, slowly I learned that your fingers can work for awhile but, when you want a polished and precise makeup look you might have to invest in some tools.  So at the age of 15 with my babysitting money wadded up in my pocket,  I went to the local drugstore and looked in awe at the wall of makeup and all the tools that were used to make the process easier and promised glamourous results.  I wanted one of everything! I left the store with makeup sponges, fluffy long handled brushes, eye shadow brushes that promised to give you the exact look of Christie Brinkley’s eyes, an eyelash curler and of course a bottle of “Sun In” to create some beautiful  hair to finish the look.  (Special note - If your hair is already blonde skip the Sun In spray). 

When I got home I played for hours re-creating the looks in my teen magazines and couldn’t wait for my next trip to Walgreens to pick up a new beauty tool.  This continued for years and I was officially declared a beauty junkie! 

Over the years I have learned that you dont need a whole arsenal of tools to create a natural look or even a glam look. Yes, they are fun to have but, you just need to invest in some good brushes, and a few other tools to get that perfect look. 

So in this series we will call “Makeup Tools“, I am going to give you some helpful hints on what to buy for your makeup bag. The tools you will need, which brushes to use for specific makeup applications and which ones to spend a little more money on as well as an explanation on the different hairs that are used in makeup brushes.  

In the mean time, get out your brushes and makeup tools and clean them! Yes, you have to clean them, that is the first hint on taking care of your tools and making them last longer.  

 Dedicated to Your Beauty,

 De Nelson
 Owner 
 Mineral Silk and
 Balance Skin Care

Written by DeAnna Nelson from Mineral Silk Mineral Makeup

Tags: Applicators, Kabuki, Makeup Brushes, Makeup Tools, Mineral Brushes, mineral makeup