Makeup Brushes You NEED and How to Take Care of Them

We all need at least a few high-quality makeup brushes to help our makeup application look as stunning as possible. Using your fingers can get the job done, but there is certainly a stark difference in the overall look when you compare an application with your fingers versus a brush specifically made for makeup application. To help you begin stocking up your collection of makeup brushes, we have compiled a list of our favorites. Once you try them, you’ll never want to go back to the finger method. 

1. Diane Oval Makeup Brush: If you find yourself getting pulled into makeup tutorials online, you have probably seen oval brushes like these. The Diane Oval Makeup Brush is perfect for applying foundation, concealer, or contour. Tip: use lighter pressure for more sheer coverage and stronger pressure for fuller coverage. 
   
   
2. bareMinerals Smoothing Face Foundation Brush: Everyone loves options, so if the oval makeup brush seems less intriguing to you, check out this foundation and powder brush by bareMinerals!
   
   
3. Palladio Flat Shadow Brush: The ideal use for this brush is right in the name – it’s the shadow brush you need in your makeup bag. Bonus: the bristles are super soft! 
   
   
4. Palladio Blending Brush: Another brush with the use-case in the name, this brush helps you blend your eyeshadow for an absolutely stunning finished look. 
   
   
5. bareMinerals Blooming Blush Face Brush: Of course, no list of brush essentials would be complete without a great blush brush (like this one from bareMinerals). 
   
   
   

Caring For Your Makeup Brushes

As you start building your own collection of makeup brushes (or for anyone that is already a brush enthusiast), it’s important you know how to clean your makeup brushes. A dirty makeup brush impacts your makeup application, decreases the longevity of the brush, and a dirty brush carries bacteria no one wants on their face. 

A good rule of thumb is to clean your makeup brushes once a week, which may sound like a lot, but if you have the right routine, it is a relatively seamless chore. If you purchase a makeup brush cleanser, you can actually clean your brush in seconds by applying the cleanser to your brush and wiping away the dirty residue. Though effective for the time being, you will still need to do a deeper clean at some point.  

Another, more thorough, option using products you likely already have in your home is the dish soap or baby shampoo method. Simply wet your makeup brushes with warm water, apply the shampoo or soap (a little dish soap goes a long way!), lather the soap through the brushes, then rinse them clean.