A natural bristle brush is the only type of bristle that will pick up face powder and easily transfer it to the face. On the other hand, a synthetic bristle brush doesn’t hold onto powder well and when dusting onto the face, mostly creates a powder cloud in the air depositing more powder on your clothes and sink than on your face.
Holding the skin taut with a spoolie (a clean mascara wand) while tweezing eyebrows will help prevent the thin delicate eye area from losing elasticity (getting saggy) and makes tweezing more pain-free.
When using a brow brush to apply brow powder, stroke color against the grain of the hair to deposit color onto the skin instead of getting color on the brow hairs which moves and can result in a messy look throughout the day.
When applying powder blush, start in the apple of the cheek and go towards hairline, applying color in continuous circular strokes to keep edges looking subtle.
A tiny pointed brush (synthetic or natural) known as a smudger creates a beautifully framed eye when traced over eyeliner pencil to soften the harshness of a thick stripe.
Wax-based products such as lipsticks, cream foundations, and concealers will go on better with synthetic bristle brushes and are easier to clean and disinfect.
Use a synthetic bristle brush to apply concealer and never dip the brush directly into the concealer, to prevent spreading bacteria.
A soft, flimsy brush will apply eye shadow more sheer for a subtle or natural look.
A soft, dense brush will apply eye shadow more opaque if you prefer a more dramatic look. It will also allow for better blending of eye makeup.
Blemishes are actually bacteria filled pores. Therefore, always conceal under eye circles before blemishes to ensure that you do not spread bacteria to the eye area, which could cause pink eye or a sty.
You can use a spray-on brush cleaner/disinfectant that dries immediately for brushes most likely to spread bacteria such as brushes for powder, blush, concealer and lips.
You should wash your brushes with a gentle shampoo or disinfectant soap at least once a month and let them dry overnight. Use a spray-on brush cleaner/disinfectant for brushes that need to be cleaned more often.
When washing brushes, never submerge them in water or stand them in a cup to dry. If and when moisture gets trapped inside the ferrel (the metal portion of the brush that attaches the bristles to the handle), it will cause mildew and mold that will infect your brushes. If your brushes have a foul odor when dry, you must toss them immediately!
