The saying “an artist is only as good as his tools,” applies to more than just paint and canvas. I believe that makeup is 100 percent an art form that requires practice and skill. For this reason, it is imperative to understand the tools you use when applying makeup.
Let’s start with the basics: what are your makeup brushes made of? The two main fiber types used to make the bristle portion of a brush are natural and synthetic. Natural fibers were the original fibers used to make brushes; this means the bristles are made from the fur of goats, squirrels or other animals. The other type is synthetic; these are a more recent creation and are man-made. Each type has its own benefits, but ultimately user preference is the deciding factor.
With the infinite choices on the market it can be tricky to select the exact brush you need. Now that we understand the different types of fibers used to create makeup brushes we can go over the basic brushes you should have in your kit. Here is a basic guide to of makeup brush essentials.
Beauty Blender Sponge & Cleanser: This is the holy grail for foundation. Personally, I don’t think anything can beat a beauty blender when it comes to applying foundation. It may seem pricy for a small sponge, but trust me it is worth it. Just make sure to dampen it before use.
Kabuki Brush: A kabuki brush can be used for many things. Kabuki brushes can be noted by the short dense bristles. They are typically very soft and usually made of natural fibers. Kabuki brushes are great for blending out almost any product; this makes it a necessity. 
Fluffy Powder Brush: Having a trusty fluffy brush is great for dusting off that translucent baking powder. They are also great to use for touching up oily or shiny spots throughout the day.
Blending Brush: There are so many types of eyeshadow brushes; each with its own purpose. If I had to choose one, it would be a quality blending brush. Blending can make or break a makeup look. No one wants to have a flawless face ruined by harsh or unblended lines. Look for a soft, and I mean soft, brush with a rounded shape.
Angled Brush: Angled brushes are useful for a variety of tricks. They are perfect for creating a fierce brow, a sharp wing liner or smoking out the lower lash line.
Contour: You can get away with using different types of brushes for contouring depending on the type. For cream contours, I suggest the beauty blender. For powder, I suggest a narrow dense brush. This gives you the precision necessary for that sharp line, but allows you to blend the product well.
Fan: Fan brushes are imperative for the sought-after highlight.
Blush: When selecting a blush brush you will want to look for something soft and light. A brush that is too dense won’t distribute the color well and might leave you looking patchy. An airy blush bush will evenly distribute the color across those apples.
Just remember, everyone has their preferences and what works for you might not work for someone else. That is okay! Try out different things and see what works best for you. Just don’t forget to clean, clean and clean your makeup brushes!
