Precise placement hard to beat.  Also won't pick the makeup back up as you blend.

• look for a flat, firm tapered square head (under eye) to tapered round (blemishes)
• long handle, good weight
• synthetic bristles OK for wet/ cream application

• use small amounts of concealer  and short precise strokes, blending well
• for spots, dab and blend

Control and precision of wet application on a variety of facial planes. Minimizes streak pitfall fingers and sponges can miss.

• look for a fairly wide, tapered, flat head
• synthetic bristles OK for wet application

• ideal for liquid or cream compact foundations
• can dot liquid foundation with finger tips, even better a Q-tip and blend out with brush OR with compact use flat side of head, start central and brush out  (towards hairline)
• avoid streaks with brush strokes, altering direction of stroke to blend into skin (finger tips can smooth and blend final touches)

This is a must brush because it is the only way you can lightly, evenly distribute powder (important to setting foundation, removing shine,  creating a base for other makeup.

• Look for large, full, rounded brush (dome shape) with densely packed but soft hair
• long handle better generally (kabuki brushes for mineral makeup will be compact)
• soft natural bristle ideal

• ideal for loose powder, compacts with pressed powder, and loose beads.  
• It can also be use to brush off excess powder.
• Dip brush head into loose powder, sweep across pressed, tap off excess powder onto tissue
• Literal dusting down  technique for light weight distribution

The design of a good blush brush allows the most natural distribution of pigment (the ones that come with the blush often are to small and pick up and place too much pigment).

• Look for full, large head with slight tapering (not as large as powder brush) designed for even distribution and natural looking definition across the cheeks and cheekbone.
• soft natural bristle ideal 

• ideal for powder blush but can be used as a bronzer brush with a little strategic placement
• smiling into the mirror, place  with circular brush sweep at apple of cheeks (fleshy mound produced when smiling), and then sweep along cheek to hairline (pigment reduces as you move out for a natural blend into skin tone)

This brush is designed for sweeping color across eye lids and blending.  By using its edge, it can be used for defining eyelid crease.

• Look for square head, medium to large sized (just under 1/2 an inch width), with slight taper at corners, flat, a bristle head that is firm but soft for the delicate eye area.
• Look for soft, firm, natural bristles

• This medium size choice will allow multi purpose function; on its side you can do the eye lid area, and with the tip you can work the crease
• it will also be your  act to blend your shadows together (clean of brush on tissue first to get rid of remaining shadow first)

This brush is designed for MANY applications; fine lines such as close to your lash line, blending and softening color edges.  It also can change thickness of line by turning the angle as you sweep (like calligraphy).  It also is used for applying powder to brows.

• Look for a small, narrow, angled, flat brush head with soft but firm bristles. 
• Natural bristles ideal 

• With sharp pencil point, feather  tiny strokes tightly along lash line, angling them in-between each lash.  Use the  brush to blend and soften the line. 
• Set the liner with shadow by press placing the brush edge along the line you mad.
• For more drama, with the point of the angle towards the inner corner of your eye and brush edge tight to the lash line, sweep along outer third of eye, gradually turning the brush edge (point will turn down) at the outer corner of the eye for cat-like finish (experiment with the technique to figure it out)

Designed for blending lip liner and lipstick applications. 

• Look for a small, narrow, flat tapered edge brush. 
• synthetic bristles OK
• retractable or one with lid ideal

• Great for blending lipstick colors too 
• Your lip brush should have a cover or be retractable so you can take it with you for touch ups

The easiest and least expensive of the makeup brushes... This brow brush is perfect for shaping the brows, separating eyelashes and removing and mascara clumps or debris.

• a clean spool or toothbrush will not only work out clumps in your eyelashes, the will also place and style your brows
• if you would prefer to buy a specially designed tool for these job, make sure the bristles are not too stiff. Firm, coarse but not prickly (synthetic OK)

• Clean an old, soft bristle tooth brush or mascara wand well, with warm soapy water.  
• Set your eyebrows with hair spray or gel by applying the substance to the wand/ brush and combing through and shaping eyebrows (clean bristles immediately afterwards).

• Look for tong style with good reviews for your best results.

• look eye level into mirror, position lashes carefully between fully open tongs, then slowly close tongs, carefully gripping lashes slightly away from base, squeeze gently, open slowly and remove tongs away.  Voila!