How to choose the best makeup brush for your use

I attended a Bobbi Brown makeup class in Singapore – and that was the session where I learned a lot about all things makeup. One of the things that struck me at the class was the emphasis on using brushes instead of the sponge applicator. The lady doing the tutorial asked the class what do we think of the sponge applicator that comes free with palettes such as eye shadow or blush-on. Being noobs on makeup, most of the class said it was alright to use. I think most of the attendees were like me – knew nothing (or very little) about makeup. At that point, I thought that we answered correctly. But to our disappointment, the lady said it was not the ideal way to apply makeup. She even asked us further, where do we think most of the product goes – on our skin or on the sponge applicator. And this time, it was like a lightbulb moment. Most of us sheepishly answered the sponge seems to get most of the product. Even if we didn’t like it, the lady confirmed and further explained that using the sponge applicator ends up with us wasting product as we have to get more just so we get enough applied on our skin.

The importance of using makeup brushes was given emphasis during the class. The instructor told us that using brushes over the sponge allow us to have more control on the amount of product to get from the palette. It also allows us to use the palette longer as most of the product gets applied on our skin.
Of course, buying just any makeup brush won’t do you any good either. So it is important to keep note of the following when buying makeup brushes for your use:
1. Should have fine, soft bristles especially if using to apply for a bigger area in your face such as foundation powder or blush on.
2. For liquid/cream foundation/concealer brushes, I found that brushes with firmer bristles work better than those with softer ones.
3. You don’t need to shell out a fortune for good-quality brushes!
4. There are synthetic makeup brushes that work as great as the ones with real hair!
5. You NEED to clean your brushes regularly.

Over the years, I have bought a combination of expensive makeup brushes (such as this blusher brush from Bobbi Brown) and some cheap ones, too. And from experience, the Bobbi Brown brushes looked the same as it did the first time I bought it. It didn’t shed any bristles despite the years of using and washing it. Having said that, the cheap brushes I bought were not bad either. Apart from a few bristles falling off every time I wash, I am still using those, too! The cheap brushes looked a bit odd these days (with some strands looking slightly bent) but with the amount I paid for it – I can’t complain that much!
Overall, it is true that applying makeup using brushes over sponge applicator really has its benefits. But to choose the best makeup brush for use, you need not break the bank to get the perfect makeup applied on your face!