So what qualities do the best makeup brushes have?

There are some fundamental qualities that apply to most brushes, but there are some specific qualities that will depend on the type of makeup task.

If you are here, reading this page, you have likely discovered there is a huge selection of brushes available; many sizes, handle lengths, head shapes, bristle cuts and bristle origins AND attached to them, a crazy range in prices.  Don't worry, we'll sort all of this into an order that makes sense and allows you to make the best makeup brush choices, for your needs.

There are two lists that we will work with.  The first gives you the 'big picture' of the WHOLE RANGE of brushes available, the zones they work in, makeup techniques they perform, and the qualities you should look for. 

The second list is a SHORT LIST of  'essential brushes and tools' and it is a list of the most practical and versatile brushes that will suit the majority of us. 

Best Makeup Brushes Guide 

As your sift through this information, make note of the ideal characteristics your makeup brushes and tools should have....i.e.. shape of and type of bristles AND buying considerations such as natural bristle is often (but not always) a better choice and is more expensive. Noting further fine details like are the bristle hairs blunt from being unnaturally cut or is each bristle  naturally tapering as a natural hair would will improve your purchase satisfaction as the quality and performance increase.

Here are some general descriptive words used to describe brush characteristics:

• brush head shape;  square, dome, tapered, angled, slant etc
• brush head size; fine (extra small), small, medium, large, extra large
• bristles; natural hair -sable, squirrel, goat vs.  synthetic- nylon, taklon
• bristles; texture-fine, soft, coarse
• bristles; firm, stiff, dense etc.
• handle length; long, short, 'travel size'

Keeping track of these points will help you reinforce the logic behind choosing a brush and increase your chance of making GREAT CHOICES.

Best Makeup Brushes & Tools:

(Skip the chart, get straight to the essential brushes...)

Best Makeup Brushes TIPs:  

Generally, clean makeup brushes and tools regularly...save your brushes, your makeup, and your skin from destructive bacteria.

More about makeup brushes...

Brush Sets.  Do you really need one?  Brush sets are a convenient way to go if you are starting from scratch, able to find a set with 'the essentials' best makeup brushes, or you see the need for a more extensive range in brushes ....Why?  It saves you the leg work in tracking down brush styles, and you will generally benefit from a price break when you buy in multiples. 

Professional Makeup Brushes.  What are professional makeup brushes and how different are they from the ones available to us.  Are professional ones available to the regular consumer?  

Store you brushes in clean, dry, damage proof, user friendly container.

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