Beauty tools that actually make a difference (AKA my favorite makeup brushes)

my favorite

Makeup brushes

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I’ve tried a number of makeup brushes in my day, and while I do believe in the importance of using the right tools to achieve the most flawless results with the most ease, it's rare that a specific brush wows me enough to knock my metaphorical socks off. Much of the time, I feel that a blending brush is a blending brush. That being said, there are a few brushes that impressed me from first use, and that I continue to reach for every time I do my makeup. These are those brushes.

Foundation

Sephora “pro flawless airbrush #56”

I first had the opportunity to try a mini-version of this foundation brush as a gift for qualifying for Sephora's VIB Rouge rewards program (yes, I'm rouge. Are you really that surprised?). Since then, I've acquired a total of four of thee brushes. "Flawless Airbrush" is absolutely an accurate name for this brush. It disperses foundation and concealer quickly and achieves a gorgeous and diffused look that I've never witnessed with another brush. If the rainbow chrome look isn't your thing, Sephora also sells it in a classic black finish. Check it out here.

Ecotools “total perfecting blender”

If a beauty sponge is your preferred method of application but you can't bring yourself to spend $20 on a beauty blender you'll have to replace in a few months, check out the Ecotools total perfecting blender. For under $5 it works just as well as the beauty blender, and unlike the beauty blender, it has flat edges on two sides to blend foundation and concealer in those hard-to-reach places right under the eyes. To top it all off, the sponge is made of 70% plant-based materials. Check it out on Amazon and Ulta.

juno & CO “microfiber makeup sponge”

This sponge has taken the beauty community by storm, and at $6 I can't help but recommend it as well. It blends beautifully and has my favorite flat-edge, though there is a learning curve with this sponge. When dampened, water tends to settle into the center of the sponge quickly, such that it appears to have dried out. However, a quick squeeze will have it reactivated and ready for use. My favorite use for this sponge is for baking. If you're not familiar, baking is a technique in which excess setting powder is applied after foundation and concealer, often with a damp beauty sponge, and allowed to sit for a few minutes before brushing off the powder that hasn't set onto the skin. This technique is ideal for those with oily skin, as it extends makeup-wear by soaking up more oil throughout the day. I've always found baking to be difficult - I can rarely get the powder to apply evenly to my skin with a sponge, and if the sponge is too damp I end up with patches of powder on my skin. This sponge, however, always picks up the right amount of powder, and its tendency to move water to its center leaves it with the perfect dampness for baking. Buy it here.

Powders

Colourpop “Large Powder Brush”

For some reason, in my search for the perfect powder brush, it never occurred to me to check out Colourpop's until a beauty guru I follow's favorite Colourpop products were on sale on the site. This $11, cruelty-free powder brush is ultra-soft and the perfect density for both patting and sweeping powder onto the skin. Buy it on Colourpop's website.

Benefit “hoola bronzing and contouring brush”

I've always struggled with blush application. The ordeal of finding colors to match my skin-tone aside, if by some miracle I do find a shade that works it often looks blotchy or overly unnatural on my skin. I can't remember why I decided to pick up this particular tropical-themed brush, but by Jove (can I pull off that phrase? Let me know in the comments below lol) am I sure glad I did. This brush diffuses blush and bronzer perfectly every time, such that you look like a naturally flushed model, fresh from a morning run in the sun. I now own two of these brushes. Buy it on Amazon or Sephora.

eyeliner

Colourpop “angled eye brush”

Eyeliner is a very particular and personal thing, so take what I say here with a grain of salt, but Colourpop's angled liner helps me to achieve a perfect line every time. The angle and density of this brush also mean that I don't have to work too hard to get the results I want, and at $5 you can't go wrong with this cruelty-free brush.Buy it on Colourpop’s website.

What are your favorite makeup brushes? Drop me a comment down below and I might test it out! Hope you enjoyed this post, and see you next time!