One of the jobs I’ve enjoyed the most was as a beauty personal shopper at a luxury department store. Clients could book a completely unbiased consultation with me, designed to find the perfect makeup and skincare choices for them across all brands.
To get the most out of our time together, I asked new clients to bring their existing makeup bag with them so that I could see what we needed to add in or adjust. Nine times out of ten, their bag was filled with fantastic makeup, but very few tools to apply it with.
Remember in my last column, I told you to do a spring clean of your makeup bag, ready for the new year? Today I’m going to share some unique brush recommendations that will multitask their way around your makeup, to supplement your reinvented stash.
The best brush to add for a skin glow: VIEVE 125 Highlight Brush
Just today, while having my nails done and chatting about this very feature, my manicurist Tia (follow @NotoriousNailsClub for gorgeous nail art inspo in Birmingham) told me how much she loved her Vieve brush set.
For us, founder Jamie Genevieve’s hands-on makeup artistry has inspired a collection of brushes that can deliver multiple benefits. Her highlighter brush is slightly pointed, giving you the flexibility to press lightly for a thin line of highlight (think brow bones) or more firmly for a diffused wash of colour (think cheek bones).
The best brush to add for all your eyeshadow needs: Half Magic Beauty Pyramid Eyeshadow Brush
Everything you think is difficult about eyeshadow can easily be resolved with this pyramid shaped brush. Although domed enough to create a soft, blended makeup look, this is also firm to the touch. This in mind, you can use it to build dense washes of colour and intensify your eye look as you wish.
It’s no surprise to learn that this is the brainchild of Donni Davy, the Euphoria makeup artist who took an entire generation away from complicated, sculpted glam and straight into effortless, laidback magic.
You can shop this direct at the brand’s U.S. website, which ships over here.
The best brush to add for a flawless base: By Joy Adenuga The Big Foundation Helper
Nothing creates a more flawless base like a large, domed brush. This rounded brush from Joy Adenuga is one of the largest I have in a collection that I’ve been growing for some 10+ years! Her client list includes the likes of Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Keshia Buchanan and Jamelia, so an airbrush finish is often trademark in Joy’s artistry.
Given that this brush is so large, it creates a completely even foundation finish and avoids the risk of any streaks or patches in your foundation. What I also love about this is that it doubles up as a fantastic body brush: one that will come in handy for adding glow to the decolletage and down the centres of the legs when you’re showing a bit more skin come summertime.
The best brush to add for wildcard pops of colour: Rose Inc No.7 brush
So often I speak to someone who wants to try a bold colour or glitter and they’re worried about it feeling ‘too much’. This little Rose Inc treasure is feathered and picks up only the tiniest amount of product. When you use it to apply shadow or glitter, it imparts only a thin veil of colour. Use this with those shades that require a little more bravery to give you complete control of how quickly you build makeup intensity.
A last word…
Whichever your brush of choice, keeping them clean is where the magic will really happen. Once a week, wash them in warm, soapy water (Dr. Bronner’s is a real treat for brushes and comes in various scents), and leave them to dry overnight with the bristles hanging over a ledge. By morning they should be dry, and your makeup will look fresher and more even.
Happy new year – I’m looking forward to answering more of your makeup questions, so feel free to let me know on Instagram @RoseGallagher if I can cover something especially for you.
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