Makeup Brushes Every Woman Should Own

Good morning! I hope everyone is having a nice week so far? 

In a follow-up post to How To Clean Your Makeup Brushes, I've decided to put together a basic list of Makeup Brushes Every Woman Should Own. The list is a meant to function as a guideline, and does not represent an entirely comprehensive list of every single kind of makeup brush available on the market. If you're interested in purchasing any of the brushes mentioned in this article, they are all available online from Coastal Scents.

Left - Right: Tapered Liquid Foundation
 - Classic Kabuki

1. Foundation Brushes

After cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, the first step in any makeup routine is foundation. If you use a liquid foundation, you have the option of applying it with either a brush, or your fingers (for a more natural look). The Tapered Liquid Foundation brush is perfect for evenly applying liquid foundation. One of the most versatile brushes is the Classic Kabuki brush, which can be used to apply an even dusting of powder to set your foundation.


2. Blush and Bronzer Brushes 

Left - Right: Large Tapered Powder -
Large Angled Blush

Personally, I would suggest using a separate brush for your blush and bronzer application. The Large Tapered Powder brush is ideal for sweeping bronzer across the high points of your face (cheekbones, forehead, nose), while the Large Angled Blush brush is designed to gently apply a dusting of blush on your cheeks.


3. Eye shadow Brushes 

Clockwise from top left: Medium Shader -
Large Shadow - Classic Pointed Blender
- Classic Crease Brush

Whether you like to wear a lot, or a little, there are a few eye shadow brushes that should definitely be included in your arsenal. The Medium Shader brush is a basic necessity for all-over shadow application. The Large Shadow brush is perfect for highlighting the brow-bone or blending multiple eye shadows. The Classic Pointed Blender brush is designed for contouring and shading, while the Classic Crease brush is ideal for blending shadow along the crease line to create depth.



4. Liner and Brow Brushes

Left - Right: Classic Angled Liner -
Classic Brow/Lash Comb

Finally, I would highly recommend investing in a Classic Angled Liner brush, and Classic Brow/Lash Comb. The angled liner brush is perfect for precision application, which is ideal for creating a masterful eye shadow look. The brow and lash comb is a useful tool for lifting and separating your lashes, as well as defining your brows.

Of course, if you're looking for the most fool-proof way of building a makeup brush collection, there are many wonderful kits out there. However, the main reason I tend to prefer the method of picking and choosing individual brushes is because I have found in the past that many kits tend to include either too many or too few of the brushes I personally like to use. Everyone is different, and for people who like to wear a lot of makeup or experiment with different looks, the large kits can be wonderful! 

How To: Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Something that most of us tend to neglect, is brush care. We use our makeup brushes (nearly) everyday, and yet they often don't get the proper TLC they need. 

After frequent use, makeup brushes become caked with makeup residue, oil, and dead skin cells, which create a breeding ground for bacteria, that you, in turn, end up putting right back on your face. Gross right? Well that's exactly why you're going to want to step up your brush cleaning game!


The general consensus suggests that on average, you should clean your brushes once a month. However, if you use your makeup brushes quite often, I would recommend increasing the frequency to bi-weekly. 

There are a number of brush-specific cleaning formulas out there, as well as many DIY or multi-use products that also do the trick. Here are my top three recommendations in each category: 

1. Brush-specific 

BlenderCleanser by BeautyBlender $9.95 

2. DIY 

In 1 warm cup of water, mix 1 tbsp of vinegar, and 1 tbsp of dish soap.

3. Multi-use products

Johnson's Baby Shampoo $3.95

No matter what kind of cleanser you decide to use, it's important to take into consideration the delicate nature of the bristles, which require special care when being washed as to avoid changing their shape. Once you've got your formula set, let your brushes soak for about 5-10 minutes. Gently run them under warm water to help wash out any residue, followed by cool water to settle the bristles. Avoid the barrel of your brushes, since if it gets wet, it can cause the bristles to loosen and fall out. If the brushes are extra cakey, a drop of olive or almond oil will loosen things up. Some people suggest gently blow drying your brushes to dry them, but I would strongly advise against this! Instead, place your makeup brushes flat on a sheet of paper towel, in a cool, dry place. They should be clean and ready for use in about 8-12 hours.