10 Makeup Brushes: What Each Brush Is Really For

With so many makeup brushes on the market, it’s no wonder we feel totally bamboozled by the selection. Whether you’re looking to pick up a few new tools or you’re trying to figure out what on earth to do with the ones you actually own, here is a list of 10 brushes and what each is used for.

Sigma Beauty

1 / 10

Angled Eyeliner Brush

If you love a ‘60s cat-eye, using a steeply angled liner brush will give you the perfect winged liner. You need precision and control when you use liquid or gel liners, so it’s important to find a really good angled liner brush to help you achieve this.

Available at Sigma Beauty.

Laura Mercier

2 / 10

Flat Eyeliner Brush

A flat eyeliner brush gives you precision eye lining. For eyes that pop, use the flat tip of the brush with a gel, cake or liquid eyeliner and connect lines along your lashline.

Available at Sephora.

Sephora

3 / 10

Round Concealer Brush

Sweep this rounded concealer brush under the eyes to perfectly cover darkness and shadows. It can also be used to blend concealer in circular motions over any imperfections and red areas on the face.

Available at Sephora.

MAKE UP FOR EVER

4 / 10

Blender Brush

If you want to shade and blend shadow in your crease, a blending brush with a large head of densely packed bristles will make the job a breeze. Pick up a dab of medium toned shadow and apply in the crease with a brush like this one, or apply your darker shadow with a smaller brush and blend out.

Available at MAKE UP FOR EVER.

Hourglass

5 / 10

Medium Eyeshadow Brush

A medium-sized eyeshadow brush is perfect for applying light and medium toned eyeshadow all over the lid, from lashline to crease and above. Eyeshadow can also be layered for more intensity using this type of synthetic bristle brush.

Available at Sephora.

Real Techniques

6 / 10

Foundation Brush

The soft, synthetic bristles of a rounded foundation brush create a flawless application of cream or liquid foundation. Use lightly in circular motions all over the face for a smooth complexion.

Available at Walmart.

M.A.C. Cosmetics

7 / 10

Smudge Brush

The short, firm bristles of a smudge brush allow you to smudge and soften eyeliner, as well as apply darker eyeshadows along the top and bottom lash lines. This is a great tool for creating a sultry, smokey eye.

Available at M.A.C. Cosmetics.

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

8 / 10

Angled Eyebrow Brush

An angled eyebrow brush should be used with brow powder to define and fill in sparse brows, but it can also be used to softly line eyes using a powder eyeshadow.

Available at The Bay.

E.L.F.

9 / 10

Fan Brush

A fan brush is used for removing shine with a light dusting of face powder, or to add definition to your face with contouring powder. A clean fan brush is also really helpful for sweeping any eyeshadow fallout off of your cheeks after you’ve finished your eyes.

Available at E.L.F..

Dior

10 / 10

Bronzer Brush

A full, rounded bronzer brush goes hand in hand with sun-kissed skin. Applying powder bronzer must be done using the right brush – something that will disperse the colour evenly, but not leave obvious streaks. The bristles of a bronzer brush are shaped perfectly to ensure you get a smooth application of bronzer, or a delicately sculpted look if you choose to employ the ‘3’ shaped application (run the brush along the top of your forehead, down to your cheeks and then out to your jawline.)

Available at Murale.