Makeup artist Ana Allen breaks down the five essential brushes that should be in every makeup bag
1. An eyeshadow brush
“This one is almost the same size as a fingertip, and it’s less for blending and more for application. Sweep or spread colour onto your eyelid, or dab the colour on for a more intense effect.”
2. A blush brush
“Anything with a powder texture works well with this big soft brush: blush, bronzer, face powder. It’s designed to be the same width as the cheekbone so you can’t accidentally overdo it.”
3. A foundation brush
“This brush is actually designed to apply liquid foundation; the dense top allows you to dab or buff for full coverage, but you can also apply in long strokes with the side of the brush for lighter coverage.”
4. A crease brush
“Use the crease brush wherever you need more detail, whether that’s for eye makeup or to contour your nose or lower lip. It’s for defining and sculpting hard-to-reach places—it's a super versatile tool.”
5. A liner brush
“When you need a fine line, with liquid liner or eyeshadow, this is the brush you should reach for. Try flicking it for a cat-eye look, or apply under the lash line for a smokey eye. Bonus: this brush can also be used for lipstick application."