Just like an artist requires the right tools to create a masterpiece, a makeup artist also needs the right tools for their skill to transfer to the canvas properly. Over the years, as a makeup enthusiast, I have realised that the right brushes can change the way your makeup looks and feels.
Lately, a lot of my friends, peers and followers have been asking me about good makeup brushes and where to get them. Hence, I decided to photograph and write a blog post on my favourite and most used makeup brushes. Fortunately, they are mostly from the drugstore and are therefore affordable. I have categorized the brushes according to the part of the face that they cater to most appropriately. However, all brushes are multi-purpose and can be used for different tasks other than what I have specified below.
This brush is from the Real Techniques Core Collection. The brush is fluffy and tapered at the end. I use this brush mostly for setting powder under my eyes and blending out my concealer for that perfect undereye.
I think highlighting and contouring deserves a separate heading given how popular these techniques are and how our lives are a constant struggle of perfecting these techniques. So here are my favourite brushes for this.
Under this heading, I'll categorize the brushes according to the function they serve, e.g. blending, eyeliner etc. However, do remember that brushes are very versatile and can be used for multiple purposes. You can even use your eye brushes for your face makeup so it doesn't really make a difference.
Now onto probably the most important part of this blog post, i.e. where to buy the brushes and how to get the best deal.
FACE AND COMPLEXION BRUSHES
- Morphe M439
- BH Cosmetics Foundation Brush
This brush is useful for applying foundation onto the face and spreading it. I use it when I want to build up my foundation for a heavy coverage.
- Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush
Mostly this brush can be used for applying concealer especially on the under eyes. The pointed tip allows for precise application.
- BH Cosmetics Large Shader Brush
Another brush which I use for applying eye primer or concealer. The synthetic bristles are great as they don't absorb too much product also.
- Real Techniques Contour Brush
- Real Techniques Miracle Sponge/Beauty Blender
I simply cannot imagine doing my makeup without my Beauty Blender. It not only helps blend my foundation and concealer, it also helps to blend all my other makeup, including my blush, highlight and contour for a seamless and natural airbrushed finish.
Both the sponges perform well, but for my foundation especially, I prefer the Beauty Blender over the Real Techniques Sponge for a more airbrushed look since it is softer and has more bounce. However, both the sponges are brilliant and you can get whichever one suits your pocket.
P.s. I always dab my highlighter with a wet sponge after I am done for a more intense and lit from within glow.
BLUSH BRUSHES
- Morphe M403
Like the Real Techniques Blush Brush, this brush is also fluffy but it has a slightly different shape from the Real Techniques one. I use this for a more precise blush application because it is smaller. The bristles are slightly prickly but that's not too much of a problem.
- Real Techniques Blush Brush
HIGHLIGHTING AND CONTOURING
I think highlighting and contouring deserves a separate heading given how popular these techniques are and how our lives are a constant struggle of perfecting these techniques. So here are my favourite brushes for this.
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Brush A23
Although I'm not a very big fan of this brush, it still is a good one for blending the highlighter. The bristles are soft and fluffy and blend the product well.
- Morphe M501
- Real Techniques Setting Brush
- Morphe M437
This brush has a flat and tapered top which is ideal for contouring. The brush is small, tapered and has a flat top which fits perfectly into the hollows of your cheekbones I have been using this brush for contouring ever since I got it. It blends both the cream and powder contour flawlessly.
EYE BRUSHES
Under this heading, I'll categorize the brushes according to the function they serve, e.g. blending, eyeliner etc. However, do remember that brushes are very versatile and can be used for multiple purposes. You can even use your eye brushes for your face makeup so it doesn't really make a difference.
EYESHADOW APPLICATION
- BH Cosmetics Brush 103 - Small Shader Brush
This natural hair brush is perfect for patting eyeshadow lightly on the lid and browbone. It is soft, dense and has a dome shape.
- Morphe M504
This brush is fluffy and dense, hence is ideal for sweeping product all over the eye while blending it at the same time. I mostly use this brush for setting my eye primer on my eyes.
- Colourpop Medium Shader Brush
This is a flat, synthetic brush which is perfect for applying eyeshadow onto the lids. I use this brush wet when I really want to pack on the pigment and make the colour pop. It also gets along beautifully with the moussey Colourpop eyeshadows and loose glitter.
- BH Cosmetics Concealer Brush
Although it is defined as a concealer brush, I mainly use this for packing product onto the lid
BLENDING
Probably the most important part of eyeshadow application is the blending process. This can make or break your eye look. No blending, as well as over blending can mess up your look hence it is important to strike a balance. Here are my favourite tools for blending. I won't be going into too much detail but for a perfectly blended eye look, I always reach out for one of these brushes. All of them blend the shadow well, especially in the crease.
- Colourpop Tapered Blending Brush
- Colourpop Blending Brush
- Wet n Wild Crease Brush
- Morphe M441
- Morphe Y19
- Morphe M433
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Double Ended Brush
EYELINER BRUSHES
- Essence Precise Eyeliner Brush
Like the name suggests, this locally available gem is great for precise eyeliner application.
- Morphe Brush M160 1/8 - Angle Liner
The Morphe M160 is also an angled liner brush which is brilliant for bold wings and cat-eyes. I love how it has a really long handle which makes it so easy to hold and manoeuvre.
- Colourpop Angled Eye Brush
EYEBROW BRUSH
- Spoolie
I just use this random unbranded spoolie to brush out my eyebrows and set them in place.
- Real Techniques Brow Brush
This brush is literally all I need for my brows. It is slanted and the bristles pick up the product very nicely. It allows me to diffuse the eyebrow pigment onto my brow without making them look overdone.
DETAILER BRUSHES
- Real Techniques Detailer Brush
This Detailer Brush is part of the Real Techniques Core Collection and is a great multi-purpose one. I mostly use it as a lip brush. But sometimes, I also use this brush to highlight the inner corners of my eyes. It is a great brush to just throw in your bag given how it can fix so many little problems.
- elf Small Precise Brush
Again I mostly use this brush for lipstick application since the tip of this brush is so tapered that it really helps you to line your lips exactly. But other than that, this is also a great multi-purpose brush.
MISCELLANEOUS
- BH Cosmetics 105 - Pencil Brush
Love this pencil brush for smoking out the lower lash line. Other than that it also serves well for precise pigment application in the crease and to define the outer corners.
- Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush
This fluffy brush from the Starter Set can be used for multiple purposes. It can be used to sweeping eyeshadow on the lid or applying highlighter on the brow bone or even defining the crease. Use it whichever way you like.
- Angled Brush
Just a random angled brush which I use for applying eyeshadow on my lower lash night or blending out the waterline.
- Real Techniques Accent Brush
Mostly used for highlighting the inner corner of the eye.
WHERE TO BUY
Now onto probably the most important part of this blog post, i.e. where to buy the brushes and how to get the best deal.
- Real Techniques
Almost all Facebook pages have Real Techniques Brushes in stock including the Core Collection and Starter Set. The price ranges from PKR 1800-2400 usually. You can also purchase Real Technique Brushes from Beauty Joint as well as their official website but the shipping costs are usually high and the Pakistani Customs are extremely unreliable because you never know how much they will charge. So if you order directly, the entire risk would be yours.
- Morphe Brushes
The best place to buy Morphe Brushes would be from the Facebook page Makeup4u because they are the official retailers of Morphe in Pakistan. Their prices are super reasonable. Plus they regularly have mega exhibitions in Lahore so you can always grab your essential brushes from there.
Morphe ships worldwide also but like mentioned above, customs and shipping can be a bit of a hassle.
- Beauty Blender
Beauty Blenders are available at Sephora all over the world so you can ask your relatives to get you one or you can order through Facebook pages. Chic Bazaar and Amor usually have the lowest rates for the Beauty Blender. Beauty Blenders are now also available locally. Check their official Instagram account for further details.
- BH Cosmetics
All the BH Cosmetics brushes mentioned in this blog post are part of the Eye Essential - 7 Piece Brush Set. This brush set is usually on sale on the BH Cosmetics website and a lot of the Facebook pages have it in stock at nominal rates. This set is literally worth every penny and I would recommend beginners to get hold of this set because it fulfils almost all your eye brush needs.
BH Cosmetics is also now available locally. Check out their Facebook page for prices and other details.
BH Cosmetics is also now available locally. Check out their Facebook page for prices and other details.
- ELF Cosmetics
ELF has now officially launched in Pakistan and all ELF brushes are available on the Pakistani website. Visit the ELF Pakistan website here.
My go-to Facebook pages for online shopping are Amor, Chic Bazaar and Beauty Point, Karachi. For more details on which page to buy from etc, you can visit this detailed blog post on online shopping here.
Let me know how you liked this guide and whether you would like similar posts. Looking forward.
Love.