Ladies, let’s talk about your makeup brushes.
If you’re one of those trying to use your fingers for everything OR you’re using the sponge-tip applicators that came in the palette you got as a freebie at the Estee Lauder counter OR maybe you’ve got some makeup brushes, but they’re super old, beat up, and have never been washed (yuck, yikes), then this is your sign to upgrade!
I know I talk a lot on this blog about actual makeup products, but our BRUSHES are the unsung heroes when it comes to our makeup looking its best. As a 47-year-old makeup artist with 20+ years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how the right brush can make all the difference in how your makeup wears and looks on mature skin.
If your makeup doesn’t look quite right lately, it might not be the product—it might be your tools. *OR, it might be how you’re NOT prepping your skin with the right products as well! Don’t miss out on last week’s post, 5 Skincare Products That Make My Mature Skin Appear More Youthful!*
Don’t Get Overwhelmed by Makeup Brushes!
Moving on, I do know that this is a category of beauty that can get overwhelming and confusing because of all the options out there, so that’s why I’m here to simplify things as much as I can for you!
Of course, as a pro makeup artist, I own more than 100 makeup brushes – seriously. They’re one of my favorite tools, and I get immense joy when I buy a new brush and use it on the first swipe!! But for the everyday gal, I realize having that many makeup brushes on hand is slightly overkill…ha ha!
1. Foundation Brush
BK Beauty 109 Mini contoured foundation brush, $32
This is the ultimate streak-free foundation brush to provide natural-looking looking flawless coverage from your favorite liquid or cream foundations. This brush is the smaller version of their original contour foundation brush, $34, which is larger for larger faces. I do own both, by the way! But I find that the smaller version works better for me to achieve that “second-skin” look, smoothing over fine lines without settling into them, AND I can easily maneuver over smaller areas of my face without getting foundation everywhere!
Product used with: Maybelline SuperStay Lumi Matte Foundation, shade 125, $12. (You guys, I am looooving this drugstore foundation!! Try it if you haven’t already.)
2. Dual Eyebrow Brush
Anastasia Beverly Hills Angled Brow Brush, $20.
Whether you’re applying brow powder or cream brow products to fill in your sparse brows, this brush can do it with both! Its custom spooley end is also necessary to have to blend the product into the brows for a soft and natural-looking finish. The soft, synthetic bristles have a super fine edge for expert precision. Brows are important, and this brush helps keep them looking just right.
Product used with: Anastasia Beverly Hills waterproof Dipbrow Pomade, $23, shade medium brown.
3. Concealer Brush
It Cosmetics Dual Heavenly Luxe Concealer Brush, $28.
A good concealer brush allows you to gently press and blend concealer under the eyes, but anywhere else we need it most! This one is particularly great because it’s got a flat end for exact placement of product onto age spots, blemishes, and even to clean up around the mouth or brows. But then you can also flip it to the other fluffy side to blend out edges into an airbrushed-like finish! I own two of these – one for my pro kit and one for my personal use!
Product used with: Fiera Cosmetics Luxury Concealer, $32, shade Neutral Beige. I just started with this concealer made specifically for us mature ladies and I’m loving it! So hydrating and coverage is fantastic. I also own it in shade Bisque.
4. Dual-Side Powder/Cream Brush
BK Beauty N17 Multi Pro Face Brush, $38.
This brush does double duty. For the powder side ( the black bristles) I use it for setting powder, bronzer, and powder blush—because the shape is just right for sweeping across the cheeks without disturbing foundation, but small enough to set concealer under eyes with powder. Mature skin needs to avoid powder overload. The cream side (the white bristles) is good for applying cream blush or blending out cream contour.
Products used with: Merit bronze balm stick, $30, shade “seine,” + Morphe Cloudlight soft glow veil pressed powder, $16, shade “sunrise.” (new fave finishing powder that has a touch of luminosity without being too shimmery and very lightweight!)
5. Eyeshadow Brush #1
BK Beauty 203 Shader Brush, $18.
This brush is perfect for a soft all-over shadow look for every shape of eye bed. This brush picks up, packs on, and disperses shadow like a dream. It works for all over the lid as well as crease work when turned on its side. It’s my fave multitasking eyeshadow brush!
Products used with: Anastasia Beverly Hills “Spice” mini palette, $29.
6. Eyeliner Brush #2
Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Point Liner Brush, $37.
This is my 2nd iteration of this brush. It was one of the very first ones I bought when I started in makeup artistry over 20 years ago – and they STILL make this brush!! This very slim, finely tapered brush has firm bristles for flawless and precise lining of the eyes. It provides maximum control and precise application for use of eyeshadow (to use as eyeliner as I did in this look) or for smudging traditional eyeliner or even applying gel liners. The size and width of the bristles are seriously perfect for creating any eyeliner look.
7. Eyeshadow Brush #3
BK Beauty 204 Smudge It brush, $15.
This is the unsung hero of the bunch. I use this short, stubby brush to smudge pencil or shadow into the lower lash line. It gives that soft, smoky definition far more flattering than a sharp line on mature eyes. I also use its short bristles to tap on shimmery eyeshadows into very specific spots of my lid, like the center and tear duct area, as I did in this look.
8. Blush Brush
Lancôme Tapered Contour Brush 7, $40.
I know the description says contour, but I favor it for applying my powder blushes. The super domed shape creates cherub cheeks, and it’s small enough to keep your blush, bronzer, or highlighter exactly where you need it. Because our blush should be applied in a very small area, large, fat blush brushes have never made sense to me! This blush brush is perfect in my eyes.
Product used with: Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double Take blush, $38, shade “She’s that Girl.”
Why Upgrading Your Makeup Brushes Matters More After 40
Makeup doesn’t work the same on mature skin as it did in our 20s and 30s. As we age, our skin becomes drier, more textured, and less firm. The wrong brush can emphasize every little line or cling to dry patches, while the right brush smooths, blends, and brings back that soft, radiant finish we all want.
Oh, and don’t forget a quick dry brush cleaner like my new fave by EcoTools from Amazon, $7, – gets them squeaky clean with no water and just a dry paper towel!
Quality brushes also:
- Use less product (saving you money!)
- Last longer (a good set is an investment)
- Are softer on sensitive or thinning skin
- Give you more control and precision
The Rest of My Outfit Details
A wild animal or floral print top is always appropriate for summer! Similar versions from Shein here, $10, Farm Rio, $75-$200, does chic tropical prints best, and Anthropologie here, $88. // My sheer warm red gloss is Maybelline lifter gloss in “sweetheart,” $10 // My Sandbar statement ring, $98. // Essie “Blanc” white nail polish, $10 (such a chic summer shade!) // GAP Black wide leg linen pants (not seen), $80.
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