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Makeup Brush 101

05 June 2013



Hey lovelies! I am so thrilled to finally be publishing one of your most-requested posts- Makeup Brush 101! I think the reason this topic has been requested so much is that brushes can be a really intimidating subject. There are just so many sizes, shapes, brands, types, etc. and I can definitely see how it can all get a little overwhelming! 


Long before my makeup obsession kicked into high gear, I was one of the many girls out there completely perplexed by the world of makeup brushes. I had a grand total of three brushes in my collection, and at the time that was good enough for me! Then as I started getting more into cosmetics, I started realizing that the limited selection of brushes I had just weren't doing all my awesome products justice. So I went online and ordered my first-ever makeup brush set, and I've never looked back! 

Before we get into what brushes you should have, I want to give you guys a quick overview of my favorite brands and places to buy brushes from. Keep in mind, good makeup brushes are an investment. If you care for them well, they can last you for years. That's why I don't mind splurging a bit on good quality brushes. However, there are also some really great affordable brushes out there as well! Whatever your budget, here are some amazing options:

Luxury: MAC, Sephora, Sigma

Rather than write a novel-length explanation of every brush and its use, I decided to create this handy infographic to show you guys everything you need to know! Of course, there are more brushes out there than just the ones I have included, but these are all of the makeup brushes I have found to be the most useful in my daily routine. If you see something that catches your eye, a link for each photographed brush/tool will be included below! 




That's all for Makeup Brush 101! I'd love to hear what your must-have brushes are and what brands you think are best in the comments!

Click here for an updated makeup brush guide! 


Cover Image Background: Lilly Pulitzer 

53 comments:

  1. You need to check out sigma brushes. They are awesome. Especially the F80 flat top kabuki brush for foundation. Amazing.
    Dawn-lifeinthesack

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    1. I agree Dawn, Sigma brushes are amazing!! I recommend them as one of my higher-end favorites in the post :)

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  2. I agree with Dawn, the F80 is an amazing brush! My favorite eyeshadow brush is the MAC 217, I use it for everything! For concealer, i just usually use my fingers but if i want a more precise application, I like to use smaller brushes like a pencil brush or even a eyeliner brush. xx

    Daphne @Peanut Butter and Chocolate Life

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    1. Glad I'm not the only one that just uses my finger for concealer if I'm in a time crunch lol! Thanks for sharing your favorites girly!!

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  3. This is so useful! I only just bought my first set of brushes, so this will definitely help me not to forget what each one is actually for! Thanks for the awesome post xx

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  4. Very useful guide, I definitely need to expand my brush collection! And I really need to get a beauty blender, those look amazing!

    xoxo Bree
    The Urban Umbrella
    http://www.theurbanumbrella.com

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    1. Thanks girly, so glad the post was helpful for you!!

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  5. Great set of brushes... This helps me a lot since I don't know what to choose among the brushes available in stores :)

    http://www.goddessindisguise.com

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    1. Lol, it can be a bit overwhelming Cheryl! So glad I could help!

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  6. Hello Sarah! This is a great post! Btw, you have a lovely blog, colors are so refreshing! Following you! x Love, Cynthia

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  7. Wow! That looks so neat :) I have yet to complete my brush collection so I find this super useful :)

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    1. Glad I could help Kai! Don't sweat it if you don't have all the brushes I talked about, everyone has different preferences and needs! :)

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  8. One of the best brush 101 that I ever read. Thanks!! (:
    I need more brushes now... q_q' I still need a fan brush, a stippling brush and a small pencil shader! Oh, and a beauty blender :D

    <3 GIG

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    1. Thanks so much Natalie!! Definitely check out e.l.f. or Coastal Scents, you could probably get all those brushes for under $10! :)

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  9. Thanks for all the great information - Such a useful & helpful post! :)

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  10. I have the coastal scents 22 brush set.. and I think they do a pretty good job.. n I have 3 MAC brushes too.. I just love their fluffy eye shadow blending brush!!
    <3 #GIG
    www.pearlypoppies.com

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    1. MAC has amazing quality brushes! I'd recommend the Elite set from Coastal Scents, it's what I have and I absolutely love almost all the included brushes! :)

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  11. Great information! I think my make up brush collection could definitely do with some sprucing up!

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    1. Thanks Alia! Be sure to check out my budget-friendly brush options if you want to add on to your collection without breaking the bank!!

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  12. This is great, definitely a keeper. I would like to see a caring for and cleaning your brushes post. If you find time, I'd also love to see a pictorial of the application of "everyday" eye make up using your favourite brushes. I'm new to this and need all the help I can get :)

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    1. I will definitely do my best to do both of those posts Flow, great ideas! Thanks for the requests! :)

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  13. love this! I’m complete addicted to brushes, and like you I used to have only 1 for blush a few years ago! but then I saw Bobbi brown brushes and that was the end for me.. they are so gorg! I want to collect them all! I’m nearly there hehehehe

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    1. I actually haven't tried Bobbi Brown, now I want to lol!

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  14. Thank you for this post hun! Very helpful! I too have like 4 brushes so far but I can feel that I want more. I'm very minimalistic when it comes to makeup and probably a good thing otherwise I'll be broke haha. I own a Sigma brush and loving it, but also have RT which defo is good to have. xx Donah #GiG

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    1. Sigma and Real Techniques are both great brands Donah! I'd recommend checking out e.l.f. Studio brushes as well, they are some of my favorites and are all about $3 each!!

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  15. This is a great and informative post! I've been lusting after Sigma brushes for awhile...

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    1. Thanks Autumn! Sigma brushes are pretty amazing!!

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  16. I have LA GIRL travel brush set contains blush, big dome shadow, angled, blending. it's good and really compact. I also have ELF powder n kabuki. Along with Masami foundation, concealer, pen, flat brush, blender.
    I want to find stippling brush, which one on budget are you recommend?

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  17. Great post! I swear by the beauty blender.

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  18. waaahhh.. too much to remember.. hehe.. but this post is really helpful especially to people like me who know nothing about makeup brushes..

    - from gig
    www.swirlsandscribbles.com

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  19. Oh my! I do really love your graphic info.
    After read your post, i consider myself to buy some brush!
    Thanks for sharing

    GIG
    http://julisapratiwi.blogspot.com/

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  20. Neat and creative display of the needed brushes. I have in total two or three, so there´s def room for improvement.

    http://kjandersen.wordpress.com/

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  21. My top pick will be Beauty Blender Sponge <3 This year Im so much into brushes and then foundations.. Great share xoxo #GIGBloggers

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  22. love it! will be sharing it and crediting you back!
    xo,
    Dee http://HauteFrugalista.com

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  23. oh great post!! i totally need this! LOL!! time to pin!!!

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  24. SO cute! We did a similar post a while back, love MAC brushes!!!! http://sadieraeandco.com/2013/01/14/brush-crush/

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  25. Thank you! I am such a novice when it comes to brushes and makeup overall. I am newly becoming obsessed and definitely need posts like this to guide me. What would you say are your top 3 brushes? What would you recommend for tinted moisturizer (bb cream), blush and makeup forever hd microfinish powder? Large powder brush? Kabuki brush? beauty blender? Do you think e.l.f. studio brushes are just as good as real techniques, or would you recommend R.T. over e.l.f. for budget brushes?
    THANK YOU!

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  26. Love from Denmark!

    I have reblogged this pic on my blog, with a source back to your blog of course.
    Everyone should read this.

    Hugs
    Frida

    http://fridaspeach.wordpress.com/

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  27. I discovered recently your blog on Pinterest.This the more realistic brush list.I love F80, can't live without it, and use 217 instead of 214 only because the size of my eye.And the 275, I love too, I can apply shadow,blend and do the "v" so easy!Very cool!

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