A guide to choosing make-up brushes: which brush for which product

Not so long ago, most of us applied our make-up with our fingers. Today almost every product has its own brush, and the shelves are lined with round, flat, angled, fluffy and dense ones. When you buy your first brushes, it is easy to wonder which ones you actually need and what sets them apart.

In this guide we explain what to look for, which brushes to start with and which brush is meant for which product. At the end, you will also find out how to care for your brushes so they last a long time.

Why use a brush at all?

You can apply plenty of things with your fingers, but a brush has some advantages. It spreads the product more evenly and softens the edges, makes it easier to control how much you use, and reaches areas where fingers are too big, such as the lash line or the eyelid crease. It is also more hygienic: you touch your skin less and the product in the jar stays clean.

With loose mineral powder, a brush is almost essential. Only the movement of the bristles spreads the powder evenly and blends it with the skin, while you build coverage gradually, layer by layer.

What to look for

Head shape

• A large, rounded head (kabuki, powder brush) spreads the product over a large area. It suits loose powder, bronzer and setting powder.
• An angled head follows the shape of the cheekbones, which makes it ideal for blush, bronzer and contouring. Smaller angled brushes are meant for the eyes and brows.
• A flat, dense head is for liquid and cream products that need to be spread and blended, such as liquid foundation and concealer.
• A small, precise head is for details: eyeshadow along the lash line, eyeliner, brows and the lip line.

Bristle density

There is a simple rule: the denser the brush, the fuller the coverage. Tightly packed bristles that feel firm press the product into the skin for a fuller finish. Looser, fluffy bristles pick up less product and diffuse it, so the look is lighter and more natural. The same powder can be barely visible with a fluffy brush, yet cover most imperfections with a dense kabuki.

Type of fibre

Brushes are made from natural hair or synthetic fibres. Modern synthetic fibres are soft and smooth and do not soak up liquid products, so you use less. They are easier to clean and dry faster, and they work with every texture, from powder to cream.

All IDUN Minerals brushes are made from synthetic fibres, are vegan and are not tested on animals.

Product texture

For powder products (mineral powder, blush, bronzer, eyeshadow), softer and fluffier brushes work best. For liquid and cream products, choose denser, firmer bristles that spread the product evenly without leaving streaks.

A basic kit: where to start

You do not need a whole collection for everyday make-up. Three or four brushes are enough to start with:

1. A foundation brush. A kabuki if you use loose mineral powder, or a liquid foundation brush if you prefer liquid foundation.
2. A brush for blush and bronzer. For example, the angled Blush Brush.
3. An eyeshadow brush. Use the Eyeshadow Brush to apply colour to the lid.
4. A concealer or brow brush. Depending on which you use more often: the Concealer Brush or the Eye/Lip Definer.

Once you know which products you reach for most, add brushes for specific purposes over time.

Face brushes

Kabuki

A kabuki is a short brush with a dense, rounded head and a sturdy handle. It takes its name from Japanese kabuki theatre, where actors used it to apply white rice powder over the whole face. Today it is the go-to brush for loose mineral powder: gentle circular motions buff the powder evenly into the skin, and you build coverage gradually. It also works for bronzer and setting powder.

Besides the classic Kabuki Brush, there is the Big Powder brush with a larger head for applying powder over the whole face more quickly, and the Foldable Kabuki, whose bristles are protected in a case, which makes it ideal for your bag and for travel.

Liquid foundation brush

The Liquid Foundation Brush has a flat, angled head with very dense bristles. The shorter bristles place the foundation where you want it, and the longer ones blend it so no streaks remain. The shorter side of the head also reaches the areas around the nose, the corners of the eyes and the lip line. It works for liquid bronzer and liquid blush, too.

Stippling

The Stippling Brush has bristles of two lengths: the longer white ones pick up the product, while the shorter, denser ones spread and blend it. You apply the product by dabbing (stippling), so the finish is airy and light, never mask-like. It works with liquid, cream and powder products.

How to use it: squeeze a drop of liquid foundation onto the back of your hand, pick it up with just the tips of the white bristles and dab it onto the skin in several spots. Then blend it in with small circular motions. Apply blush or bronzer to the cheekbones the same way.

Blush and bronzer brush

The angled head of the Blush Brush fits neatly along the cheekbone. The soft bristles deposit the product only on the surface, so it is hard to apply too much.

Face Definer

The Face Definer has long, soft bristles that are dense enough for precise application and soft enough to blend the product without harsh edges. Use it to sculpt with bronzer, highlight the cheekbones or apply setting powder. Build the effect in thin layers. Because it is easy to use, it is also a good choice for beginners.

Concealer brush

The Concealer Brush has a flat, slightly curved tip and velvety soft bristles. Use it to apply concealer under the eyes or on small areas of redness and pigmentation, and blend it more precisely than with a finger. Because it does not tug at the thin skin under the eyes, it is comfortable for sensitive skin, too. It also works for cream eyeshadows.

Eye and brow brushes

Eyeshadow

The Eyeshadow Brush has thin, firm, flat bristles with rounded tips. Use it to place colour on the mobile lid, along the lash line or in the crease. Because the bristles are not fluffy, it is excellent for cream shadows, glitter shadows and darker shades: the shadow does not crumble, and you control the amount precisely.

Precision Eyeshadow

The Precision Eyeshadow Brush has angled, tightly packed bristles. It is suited to precise work along the lash line, shading the crease and adding shimmering highlights to the inner corner or under the brow. You can build coverage from sheer to full.

Blending

The Blending Brush has soft, full, rounded bristles. Use it to soften the edges of eyeshadow and create smooth transitions between shades, from everyday make-up to a smoky eye.

Eye/Lip Definer

The Eye/Lip Definer is a thin, angled brush for lines and details. Use it to soften cream eyeliner, apply eyeshadow along the lashes as a soft line, outline the lips and fill in the brows. For brows, use a matte eyeshadow in your brow colour and apply it with short strokes upwards and outwards that mimic the hairs.

The Pro line

The brushes in the Pro line are made in Italy. Their bristles are made from Dermacura® synthetic fibres, which are exceptionally soft, gentle on sensitive skin and easy to clean. The handles are made from recycled plastic and aluminium.

• Pro Buffer: a flat-cut, dense brush for liquid and cream foundation, applied with dabbing and circular motions.
• Pro Powder: an airy, fluffy brush for powder, blush, bronzer and highlighter when you want a light, diffused finish.
• Pro Soft Kabuki: an extra-soft kabuki for loose mineral powder. Light pressure gives a sheer tint, firmer pressure more coverage.
• Pro Angled: an angled brush with dense bristles for blush, bronzer, contour and liquid foundation.
• Pro Triangle: a triangular concealer brush. The tip reaches the inner corner of the eye, the flat side spreads the product.
• Pro Essential: a compact, dense brush for placing eyeshadow on the lid.
• Pro Soft Blending: a fluffy brush for blending eyeshadow in the crease.
• Pro Precision Eye & Lip: a small brush for eyeliner, eye details, brows and the lip line.

Pro Essential and Pro Soft Blending make a good pair: one applies the colour, the other blends the transitions.

Which brush for which product

If you are still looking for the right foundation, read our article How to choose the right foundation shade.

How to care for your brushes

Make-up residue, sebum and dust build up on brushes. A dirty brush applies make-up unevenly, the bristles become stiff, and you transfer the dirt back onto your skin every time. With regular care, your brushes stay soft and keep their shape for longer.

• How often: wash brushes for liquid and cream products and for lips once a week, and brushes for powder products at least every two weeks.
• What with: a mild shampoo or soap and lukewarm water.
• How: wet only the bristles. Do not let water run into the metal part that holds the bristles together, as the glue can loosen. Gently lather the bristles in your palm and rinse until the water runs clear.
• Drying: gently squeeze the bristles in a towel, reshape them and dry the brush lying flat or head down, never upright. It must be completely dry before you use it again.
• Between washes: remove leftover powder by wiping the brush a few times on a clean paper towel.

You will find all our make-up brushes and tools in the Brushes and accessories category. If you are not sure which one to choose, write to us and we will be happy to help.