Tools to Know

Makeup brushes are what makeup artists use for professional makeup touches. Here's abit of knowledge on what brushes do what and how you can keep a minimum number while achieving the professional makeover whilst being an amateur yourself.

When you see a makeup artist lays down their brushes, you'll just stare with your mouth wide open. There are actually afew to do the same things only more detail. For example, we usually have two or three blush brushes, 7 to 8 for doing the eyeshadow, lip brush, a couple for the eyeliner and brow brush not forgetting the powder and fantail brush. But how many do you really need?

Let's begin with an application of foundation like a professional. Get a good foundation brush that is slightly tougher than an eyeshadow brush so that it can pick up the foundation and evenly apply on your skin while you're gliding it across your face following the direction of your facial hair. You should get a rounded, flat edge with taklon bristles brush for this. Note that we only use a foundation brush for liquid and cream based foundation. Smooth out the foundation across your entire face with a sponge with dab and small pulls motion.

The eyeshadow brush. There are many sizes for the professionals to choose from but you can achieve a similar work by choosing a medium-sized brush. Always ask to test the brush before purchase by gentle sweeping it across your hand. If you feel that the tip of the brush is soft and tight in the middle, while the bristles are made out of genuine and natural animal hair, you are picking up quite a very good brush. It would be better if it's in a rounded shape with a wooden handle!

Another brush that can do good with eyeliner and eyebrow is a slightly smaller brush that has shorter bristles, a tougher material and is slanted with an angle. This is usually more difficult to find because you really need to get one that is as stiff as possible for you need to draw a thin line with it for your eyeliner and obviously when shaping your eyebrow, you have to achieve that dimension and thin effect on the browtail.

Next, we have the blush brush. A good blush brush should be soft and full. Choose the one that is also made out of genuine animal hair and never settle with synthetic fibres. This is because the synthetic fibres are more harsh to your skin hence on the long run it may cause fine lines and/or wrinkles. Hard bristles on a blush brush can cause the blusher looking artificial on your cheeks because it may leave streaks instead of a natural sweep. A blush brush can also be used as a powder brush when applying loose powder after foundation.

The above should be adequate for starters. Once you have gotten used of your brushes, you can slowly begin to add more tools in your makeup. A lip brush not only alleviate your natural lip shape with colour but using a lip brush to apply lipstick or gloss is actually more hygienic. A fantail brush helps to dust off excess eyeshadow that may have fallen under your eyes during application. An angled-blush brush is smaller in size but this brush can shape your face using the correct colour and the correct places such as your jawline and under the cheekbones. Other additional tools include eyelash curler and a spiral-brush for lightening of brow colour.

Introduction

It's not about who is the face of your lipstick or how big is the name on top of your foundation case. What matters most is how these cosmetics can bring out the best of your features and at the same time gives your skin protection and nutrition it needs.

The key here is KNOW YOUR PRODUCTS. Understand your skin and pair it with suitable products that is good for pocket and good for your skin. You should always get a good foundation that has got SPF (Sun Protection Factor) to block of harmful rays from the sun, prevent pigmentation and premature aging or soy based lip products to keep moisture on your lips preventing it from cracking and peeling or pearl powder blusher or body powder to give an instant natural glow and slows down the aging process. Ask for the details or study the ingredients of the products before purchase.

Use skin care products that brings you as close as you can get to mother nature. Anything that spells mountain or spa not only sounds relaxing, calm and cooling, it gives just the same effect on your skin keeping it clean and fresh. Fruits and vegetables are always highly recommended to maintain a good health and so should your skin. It should get the exact benefits! Cucumbers, watermelons, tomatoes, etc are equally safe in the way to your tummy and in the way to looking natural and maintaining youth.