Tools/implements and why you need them!

I bet some of you are wondering what you are going to need.  If you have ever purchased makeup (which I'm sure you have) then you've noticed most makeup usually comes with some sort of applicator.  While those do work in a pinch, they are not the best things to use.  They usually absorb all your product and very little actually goes on your skin.  Not a very big help, eh?  I am sure it is a marketing ploy so that the product doesn't last as long and you have to buy more..  However, I am a bargain person and love to save money so I am going to share some things with you that will save you money longterm.  There might be a little more spent upfront (I've got some tips on that too) but it will be worth it!

Before I tell you what you'll need let me say that I have a ton of makeup brushes.  Keep in mind that this is my career and you don't need to buy every brush you see (even though I sometimes do...).  There are seven brushes you will need and they will help you achieve almost any look.  They are:

Foundation brush - This is a large flat or rounded tip brush (flat is better though they are sometimes harder to find unless you go to more expensive makeup stores).  Those lovely sponge cosmetic wedges do work but, again, usually all of your foundation goes on the sponge and you get very little on your face.  The brush helps foundation spread more evenly and you end up using less product.  This brush is used for liquid foundation most often but could also be used for foundation found in the compact style.  Again, throw away that little sponge that comes with it!  You will thank me later!

Powder brush - This is the most common brush that most people can identify.  It is often compared to a blush brush but I will explain what is needed for blush next.  This is the brush you will use to apply loose powder to seal your foundation.  There is also a trick I will share with you shown to me by a makeup artist that will help guard against fall-out.  I will explain fall-out later.

Blush brush or kabuki brush - This (as the name implies) is a short blunt top brush used to apply blush.  Not everyone wears blush so that is a personal choice.  In place of blush you can also just use a highlighter which is basically just a shimmer on the cheeks to highlight the cheekbones without applying any color.

Shadow brush - This is a rounded tip brush used to apply color to the eyelid.  This is for your base lid color.  These vary in size but you generally want to go for one that is a bit wider to get more even coverage and to save time.  We don't all have 3 hours to get ready, right?  This brush can also be used to apply the highlight underneath the eyebrow on the brow bone.

Crease brush - This is a brush designed specifically to apply color to the crease of your eyelid.  This application will be explained in detail later as there are a couple ways to accomplish this task.  There are also varying sizes and shapes for this brush as well.  There are wide flat versions and there are smaller dome-shaped versions.  I prefer the dome-shaped because it gives me more control.  If the other works best for you go ahead and use it!

Blending brush - This is a fluffy dome-shaped brush used at the end of the makeup application to make sure there are no harsh lines.  You want your eye makeup to be fluid and not have a start-stop-start-stop effect.  It is important for this brush to be very flexible to aid in the blending process.  If the brush is stiff it will  not be very effective at blending.

Eyeliner brush - This is a brush used to apply eyeliner.  These brushes can either be angled brushes or smaller fine point brushes.  Yes, you can still use your pencil liners or liquid brush liners if you choose but I have found that a brush gives you more control and a more fluid line.  The easiest eyeliner to apply with a brush is cake liner which usually comes in a small round or square container and looks like paint with a more solid consistency.