Your Guide to the Types of Make-up Brushes You Actually Need

Great make-up starts with great tools. Discover the essential types of make-up brushes, what each one does and how to use them for effortless results

Content editor

Jayne Cherrington-Cook

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The types of make-up brushes worth having in your kit

The right types of make-up brush make application smoother and your finish more polished. Before choosing the best beauty brush sets, it helps to understand make-up brushes and their uses.

Foundation: a flat or buffing brush helps liquid and cream formulas glide on seamlessly.
Powder: a larger fluffier brush diffuses colour for a natural finish.
Blusher: powder blush works best with a soft, rounded brush. For liquid or cream blush, choose a denser brush that buffs product into the skin.
Contour: tapered or angled brush adds subtle definition.
Eyes: blending brushes build in softness, while angled detail brushes help you line and define.
Lips: A brush makes bold colours easier to apply.

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A close up shot of a woman applying foundation with a brush to her skin

How to use a foundation brush

Knowing how to apply foundation using a brush has clear advantages. It not only gives a smoother finish, but it also uses far less product than a beauty sponge, helping your favourite foundation go further.

A flat foundation brush gives smooth, controlled coverage, while a rounder one buffs product in for a soft, natural base. For tricky areas like the nose or jawline, a detail brush adds precision. And for powder foundation or setting powder, a full, fluffy brush sweeps it on evenly.

Not sure how to use a foundation brush? Here’s how:

Apply a small amount of foundation to the back of your hand
Pick up product with your brush, then sweep it across the face using light strokes
Buff in circular motions to blend and build coverage where needed
Finish by pressing and rolling the brush over the skin for a seamless, natural-looking result

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Your essential eye brush guide

There are three key brushes that make any eye look easier to create.

To apply colour to your lid, a flatter, shading brush is the one to reach for. It packs pigment onto the lid with precision and minimal fallout. A blending brush helps to diffuse colour seamlessly and smooth out any harsh edges. An angled brush is the final one in the trio. It’s ideal for applying eyeshadow as a liner and can also be used with a gel liner.

To master how to apply eyeliner with a brush, dip the angled brush into gel liner or dampened shadow, then press along the lash line in small strokes. A gentle upward flick at the outer corner gives a subtle wing, or if you prefer a softer look, use the blending brush to gently diffuse.

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How to clean make-up brushes

Learning how to clean up make-up brushes isn’t complicated and it makes a huge difference to hygiene and performance. A mild shampoo or gentle hand wash works just as well as a specialist brush cleaner, while micellar water is perfect for on-the-go touch-ups until you can wash them properly.

To clean your brushes, swirl the bristles under lukewarm water, then work in a small amount of soap and massage lightly until the water runs clear. You can also use a silicon cleaning pad to really get into the bristles. Rinse thoroughly, making sure not to soak the handle, which can loosen the glue over time.

Knowing how to dry make-up brushes properly is just as important as washing them. Gently squeeze out excess water with a towel, then reshape the bristles and lay the brush flat on the edge of a counter, allowing the bristles to hang over the side. This helps them dry evenly.

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Your everyday brush essentials