When it comes to applying really great make-up, it’s all in tools! I must admit, for a long time I was one of those girls who would apply blusher with a glittery handled, coarse bristled brush. I probably got it free with some make-up from a shop such as ‘The Look’ which sells make-up from the likes of Stargazer and Constance Carroll.
As I became more and more interested in makeup, I began to invest in brushes, the first being a MAC 130 stippling brush and since then I have built a collection of quality brushes that get the job done really well. They’re not all from MAC, or the Insta-grammable Zoeva, some are from TK Maxx or large professional sets aquired from those days when everyone on Youtube had a ‘make-up belt’ and thought they were a make-up artist because they used GOSH ‘Darling’ and MAC ‘Woodwinked.’
Whilst I’ve been getting into cream products more-so than ever before, I still rely on an arsenal of brushes for base. After moisturising with an SPF, the first step in my routine is a foundation, I am currently using the ‘Skin Base Foundation’ from Illamasqua a medium to full coverage base in the shade 4.5. To apply this, I use the iconic ‘Expert Face Brush’ by Real Techniques. This is a wide, firm brush that is brilliant for buffing in a cream foundation for a flawless application. The bristles are synthetic and 100% cruelty-free.
For bronzer, I use the ‘Bronzed Shimmer’ cream stick from Makeup Revolution and draw a line just under my cheekbones before buffing in with the infamous ‘Chocolate Bronzer’ from Bourjois and an angled ‘Eco-tools’ brush which I bought Stateside in TJ Hughes. The bristles on this brush are particularly sturdy and are perfect for buffing in a cream product in a concise, non-streaky fashion. I also love the detailing on this brush, the blue and white pattern reminiscent of my collection of Wedgewood plates from Portobello Market. And the cork handle? Just gorgeous!
For blush, I am currently using the softest brush I have ever stumbled upon and I found it in ASDA for an absolute bargain! I mentioned the ‘Royal and Langnickel’ blush brush in a previous post about a Sleek Blush. The brand are renowned (especially in America) for their 100% vegan brushes and feature synthetic bristles in a dome shape to perfect apply blush to the apples of your cheeks.
Finally, to set my base I use another dome shaped brush, this time with a flatter top and a wider fan, also from Eco-Tools. I love the recycled bamboo handle and the way this brush helps to mattify your skin, Again, this brush is 100% cruelty-free and I really like what the Eco-Tools brand stand for in terms of ethical values.
