Makeup brushes have been used for quite some time not only by professional makeup artists, but also by girls at home. They facilitate the process of applying cosmetic products, and also contribute to the fact that the result is more accurate and beautiful.
Kinds
Before the girls in the cosmetic store the question becomes: "Which brush to choose?" Each of them is intended for a specific purpose and plays a role in the application of shadows. To facilitate the selection, you can divide them into two main groups: brushes for applying and blending shadows.
Each tool performs a specific function and helps to apply the cosmetic product in an even layer, blend the borders and draw arrows. It is important to choose the material from which the brushes and brand are made. The more expensive are made of natural pile, while the cheaper ones are made of synthetic. However, professional makeup artists recommend that you do not purchase natural brushes for applying shadows of liquid consistency. Synthetic materials do not absorb a large amount of cosmetic product, apply a more even layer and perfectly blend the borders. Also, their cost is several times lower than brushes made of natural pile.
Brush Selection Tips
Professional makeup artists give recommendations for the purchase of high-quality brushes for applying and shading shadows, because the final result depends on it:
- Natural pile is great for applying dry textures. Shadows will not crumble, lie in an even layer and completely convey the shade in the eyes.
- Synthetic do not absorb liquid cosmetic products and are used for applying liquid eyeshadow and eyeliner.
- When choosing a brush for applying shadows, it is necessary to squeeze the pile several times, it should immediately return to its original position, not fall out and not deform. It should not cause irritation and discomfort on the skin.
- The cut should be even and neat, the hairs do not knock out of the total mass and fit tightly at the base of the handle. Pile should be tightly packed, there are no large gaps and bald spots. This guarantees excellent application and longer service life.
- When using cheap paint, the pile can leave marks on the skin, this must be checked when buying brushes for applying eyeshadow.
- The handle should be tightly glued to the top of the tool, which indicates high quality.
To date, the best eye shadow brushes are: Bobbi Brown, Urban Decay, NYX, Essence, Inglot. These are manufacturers of professional makeup tools made from natural and synthetic nap.
Application brushes
Eye makeup is impossible to imagine without shadows that lie in a smooth and beautiful layer without bald spots. To do this, manufacturers of cosmetic products have invented brushes for applying eye shadow on the eyelids. The main shade is applied with a wide dense brush of a flat shape, which covers the entire surface of the upper eyelid.
These tools should be resilient, densely packed and transmit the pigment shade well. To create the most intense make-up, it is necessary to draw eyeshadow on the brush with a thick layer and pressing to apply them on the entire surface. A high-quality tool will not contribute to the shedding of the product, it does not create bald spots and lumps.
Brushes for applying shadows are of the following types:
- flat;
- pencil brush;
- barrel.
With their help, you can apply shadows both on the entire surface and darken the corner or crease of the eyelid. Using a certain technique, you can get a beautiful, spectacular and neat eye makeup. Professional makeup artists in Urban Decay shadow brush reviews write that they are some of the best both for working with clients and for use at home.
Flat
This brush can be found in the makeup bag of every girl and all professional makeup artists around the world. It can be made of natural or synthetic pile of different lengths and densities. The main task is to apply a shade of shadows on the entire surface of the eyelid without bald spots.
With a flat eye shadow brush you can create a bright and intense make-up, as well as a natural everyday one. It all depends on the shades of the shadows and the application technique. Depending on the width, it can completely cover the entire area of the eyelid in a few swings. The optimal pile length is 10-14 mm. A high-quality tool does not allow the pigment to crumble and the makeup is neat even for beginners.
This brush option can have a rounded, square or sharp pile shape. It all depends on the preferences of the buyer, as the end result will not be much different. Makeup artists in reviews of eye shadow brushes highlight NYX as an excellent budget and quality option.
Pencil brush
When creating eye makeup, you need to pay attention to the lower eyelid and eyelash line. For accurate drawing of small details, a special brush was created for applying shadows on these areas. It has the shape of a pencil, has a densely packed pile and a pointed tip, which allows you to quickly and easily apply pigment.
With it, you can darken the outer corner of the eye, apply a highlighter or a light shade of shadows to the inside, draw an arrow and paint over the space between the eyelashes, and also apply pigment to the lower eyelid. This is a fairly versatile tool that facilitates the process of creating beautiful and effective makeup. Make-up artists on a training course for applying eye shadow with brushes for beginners say that it has a fairly simple technique of use, and the result is incredible.
The cosmetic market has a huge number of pencil brushes, and choosing it is quite simple. The most popular are Zoeva, UBU. Natural pile will gently apply a cosmetic product and does not irritate the mucous membrane of the eye.
Barrel
This option is used both by professional makeup artists at work, and by ordinary girls when creating a make-up on their own. A brush for applying shadow in the form of a barrel will become an indispensable tool in darkening the folds of the eyelid, the outer corner and its main secret is that it not only applies, but also blends the cosmetic product.
To use the brush properly, you need to know the application technique:
- you need to get the right amount of shadows;
- using tapping movements on the handle, shake off excess product;
- the brush is placed at a right angle in a crease on the outer corner of the eye;
- movements should be creased from one corner to another, which creates a smoky effect on the eyes.
With these simple steps, you can easily darken a crease and use one brush to apply or blend the product. Reviews of the brush for applying shadow in the form of a barrel show that girls prefer to use it precisely because of the convenience and simplicity of technology. The most popular is Limoni No. 40, which is made of natural pony hair.
For shading
After applying the main shade of the shadows of the border, you need to soften and for this you need a brush for blending. There are several options for tools that help to easily create a haze effect for a more effective and proper makeup. In shape, they resemble a rounded cone or have a beveled tip of the pile.
A correctly selected brush made of natural or synthetic pile perfectly smooths the borders and the result is more accurate. Professional makeup artists can not do without shading shadows in their work and strongly recommend that girls use this technique at home. Also, brushes are necessary during the creation of smokey-style makeup for beautiful and smooth blending of borders.
Manufacturers of brushes often use artificial materials for this type, making it a little easier to work with them. When buying, it is important to pay attention to the cut of the tip, the hairs should be even and not stick out from the total mass, as this technique involves several quick brush movements.
Round
This is the most common option for shading shadows, as it has a suitable shape and quickly smoothes the borders. The pile is rather densely packed and has a short length, on average - 10 mm. With it, you can not only create a haze effect with the help of shadows, but also shade a soft pencil, apply shadows under an eyebrow or powder in the area under the eyes.
A fairly versatile cosmetic tool, the main purpose of which is to create a neat and effective makeup. They come in different lengths, thicknesses and are made of different materials, but the result is approximately the same. It is optimal to purchase a brush with a standard pile length, tightly packed and made of synthetic material. Working with it will be quick and easy, and the result is beautiful eye makeup without pronounced boundaries.
Beveled
This brush for applying eyeshadow is also universal and can be used in several versions. Initially, it was created for blending a soft arrow, which is drawn with a pencil or shadow. Later, professional makeup artists used it to apply cosmetic products on the lower eyelid and in the space between the eyelashes. Today, even hairs on eyebrows are stained with it.
This is a fairly narrow brush for applying and blending shadows with a very thin layer. A narrower tip can draw an arrow no worse than a special eyeliner. A great advantage is the versatility of the beveled eyeshadow brush and ease of use, since even beginners can make makeup.
Feathering brushes are presented in the assortment of each trading brand, so you can choose both a more expensive and a budget option. The main thing is to follow the selection recommendations before purchasing.
Applicators
In the packaging of each cosmetic product, you can find standard applicators for application. Before, when brushes were not available, girls used them. However, the beauty industry has improved and applying cosmetics using applicators is almost impossible.
The cosmetic product applied with a brush lies down in an even, almost invisible layer and does not leave bald spots. Applicators are made of cheap material, which is why they are not able to create beautiful makeup. Brushes are more versatile and can perform several functions at the same time, the applicator can only be applied without shading the product.
The material from which the brushes are made involves quite frequent washing and their constant use in creating makeup. Applicators quickly deteriorate and deform after the first wash with cleaning agents. They can be used only if there are no makeup brushes at hand.
Brush care
During daily use, brushes must be washed constantly and thoroughly. This guarantees not only protection against bacteria that accumulate on the surface of the pile, but also extends the period of their use.
Caring for your eyeshadow brushes is fairly simple, but it’s important to follow a few rules:
- when using a special disinfectant, you can simply spray it on the surface of the brush, leave it to soak and blot it with a cloth to remove dirt;
- an easier way is to dip the pile in clean water, apply shampoo or cleanser on your palm and clean the brush from dust and shadows, rinse thoroughly with water and leave it in a horizontal position until it dries completely;
- hands should not be rubbed strongly against the palm to prevent hair loss;
- Do not leave them in an upright position, pile up, as this contributes to the destruction of the glue.
Makeup recommendations
Professional makeup artists do not advise beginners to purchase expensive eye shadow brushes. First you need to work out various techniques on budget tools. Apply the pigment on the entire surface of the eyelid with light movements, and shade - tightly pressing the brush to the fold.
After smoothing the borders, it is important to wipe the pile with a napkin so that the shades of the shadows do not accumulate on its surface and make-up is more accurate. With constant and thorough care of the hands, they will last much longer and the risk of bacteria multiplying is reduced several times.
Conclusion
Brushes for applying eye shadow on the eyelids are represented in incredible quantities by various brands around the world. With the right approach to the selection, you can purchase a universal option that can simultaneously apply and blend the pigment. However, to create different make-ups, it is necessary to use several tools so that the result is neat and effective as after visiting a professional makeup artist.