How To Use Our $15 Pro Brush Kit

Makeup brushes are easily the MVPs of our beauty routines yet they don’t always get the attention and credit they deserve. They’re often overlooked and even mistreated, too! Well, not anymore. We’re shining the spotlight on makeup brushes for the essential beauty workers they are.  

We get it, makeup brushes can feel overwhelming. With all the different shapes and styles to choose from, it’s hard to know what’s necessary and what’s not. So, we’re bringing you a cheat sheet in the form of a beginner-friendly makeup brush set that’s inspired by pro tools–without their price tag! That’s right, this affordable makeup brush set is all you need to get a pro-worthy makeup look.  

Qualities to Look for in Makeup Brushes 

Before we get into the how of using makeup brushes, we want to let you in on a few pro tips for choosing which makeup brushes are best for you.   

Pay attention to brush fibres! Synthetic bristles are great for cleaning and won’t

shed like natural fibres can. Depending on the brush, examine qualities like density and feel, too. You want soft bristles that give the best blending results. 

Examining a brush handle is also a good idea. Since makeup brushes tend to get a little messy, you want the handle to be as hardy as possible. Wipable brushes, like these metallic ones, are an elite choice as they’ll age well and won’t show as much wear and tear as a lightly coloured plastic material can (no thank you, foundation smudges!). 

Start Here to Build Your Best Makeup Brush Set 

Whether you’re a makeup brush novice or old faithful, it’s never too late to brush up (see what we did there?) on your makeup tool game. Here’s a primer on creating the best makeup brush wardrobe starting with the basics.   

What You’ll Need: 

A great place to start building your brush collection is with an all-in-one set. These feature the most essential brushes in one complete kit so the guesswork is done for you. A set of five makeup brushes will give you the building blocks you’ll need to pull off any makeup look. Here’s how to use each one.  

Powder Brush - A large fluffy powder brush is a must-have for applying powder foundations and bronzers. They cover a large surface area and are great for blending product into the skin for a natural effect. Since they can pick up a lot of powder during application, you can control the amount by tapping some product off first, before applying it directly to your skin.  

Blush Brush - An angled blush brush is a pro fave because it works with your face’s natural curves and contours naturally. This brush can be used for blush or contour depending on the area you’re focusing on, such as the apples of the cheeks or the hollows of the cheeks.  

Eye Blender Brush - Tapered, fluffy eye-blender brushes are best for applying an eyeshadow base and for blending an overall smoky eyeshadow look. Use it to remove any harsh edges for a soft, well-blended eyeshadow look.  

Eye Lid Brush - For eyeshadow looks that require a concentrated effect, go for a small dense eye lid brush. You

can use it to apply a liner effect using eyeshadow along the lash line or for applying a pigmented metallic shadow. This brush works best when you use it to pat the product onto lids vs. bruising it on with a sweeping motion.  

Duo Eyebrow Brush - This two-in-one brush will give you beautiful, natural-looking brows. Use the angled side to apply brow powder or even cream eyeliner for a cat-eye look. The spoolie end is just as versatile and can be used for brows and lashes.  

Do’s and Don’ts of Brush Maintenance 

Want the best makeup brush set of all time? All you have to do is care for yours correctly! Just like anything you want to last and live to its full potential, you’ll need to consider a few TLC tips.  

1. Cleaning - Just like we clean our faces every day, brushes need cleaning too. Depending on how much product you’re applying with yours, a good general rule of thumb is to clean your brushes every 2-3 weeks. This will ensure they perform their best, while extending their life. You can use a brush cleanser or a mild dish soap to wash them before rinsing thoroughly and then allowing them to air dry. 
2. General Care - Want your brushes to last really long? Use your brushes to apply the same products, like your blush brush for blush only. If you start double dipping (especially from cream to powder products), that’s going to reduce your brush’s efficacy and likely its shelf life, too. 
3. Storing - Brushes are best stored in their own makeup bag or container. Try to separate them from a busy makeup bag where spills and friction happen on the regular. Storing them upright in a container will also make your beauty routine way more efficient!