Eye makeup brushes: Do eyeshadow brushes matter?
Just an FYI: My post may contain affiliate links. For more info, see my disclosure here.
I know a lot of people use their hand or brush that comes in shadow to apply eyeshadow on their eye’s. And even some that just use blush or powder brushes to apply eyeshadow.
No need to be embarrassed. I did that too when I was learning how to apply makeup. If you’re not experienced with makeup brushes, you don’t know that importance of using the correct ones. The brushes that come in small compacts of eyeshadow are not designed to do anything but sweep shadow across the lid.
Makeup is ever evolving and every day, you see different makeup products that seem to outshine all others. Selecting the best eyeshadow brush can be a task, considering there are so many options for shapes and sizes.
So, do eyeshadow brushes matter?
There is a big difference between eyeshadow brushes. Having spent years actively following up on makeup trends and practicing using different brushes, I can tell you that it matters a great deal. A good eyeshadow brush will help you properly blend in your eyeshadow and work to sculpt your look.
Eyeshadow brushes come with cuts and angles that target your eyelid for when you want a dramatic or mild look. Some brushes are better at evenly spreading your makeup. And should you want to fix a mistake, brushes will do a better job at it than when you do that with the tips of your fingers.
For an eyeshadow that lasts longer, choosing a good brush is important. Not all eyeshadow brushes are created equal either!
If you’re still wondering do eyeshadow brushes matter, using any brush isn’t ideal either. Brushes with flimsy bristles with leave you with heavy or streaky eyeshadow. It’s important that you choose the right brush for your eyeshadow. There are some that cost more than others because of what is used and the process involved in making it. I have used both drug store makeup brushes and luxury, both have some good ones based on what your need is.
When shopping for a new eyeshadow brush, pay attention to how sturdy its handle is as it’s an indication of how long it will last. Plastic handles are cheaper than wooden handles, which does not mean a plastic handle is bad, but they will typically be cheaper. It’s also important to find out if the brush bristle is made with synthetic or animal hair. There is a huge difference in the two.
Eyeshadow brush bristles
The two basic types of brushes used in applying eyeshadow are natural and synthetic hair. Natural hair comes from a squirrel, goat is sable’s fallen hair (no animal is hurt in the process of getting the hair). Natural hair is obviously more expensive. It also has cuticles that work much better than synthetic brushes that are made with nylon or polyester.
For the brush that grabs makeup pigment better, choose natural hair. And for the brush that is best for liquid highlighter, foundations, and liquid concealers, synthetic is preferable because it leaves no streaking on your skin.
Types of eyeshadow brushes
Here are a few types of eye makeup brushes that are used often by makeup artist. If you are new to using eyeshadow or just want a basic look, you do not need all of these. If you like simple eyeshadow looks, you can use a flat brush, blending brush and crease brush to achieve a nice blended look. If you want to create more makeup artist inspired looks, every brush below can be used.
- Eye blender brush
- Contouring brush
- Smudge brush
- Fluffy round brush
- Tapered shadow brush
- Flat eyeshadow brush
- Shader brush
- Crease brush
Washing your brush frequently will prolong its life
Leaving your makeup brush clogged with makeup for weeks and months will shorten its life span. To prevent bacteria from growing on your brush and making it easier to apply your eyeshadow, it’s advisable you wash your brush every 3 days or once a week depending on how frequently you use it. Washing your brush doesn’t have to be stressful.
To clean your brushes, you can simply use any alcohol-free soap and warm water, gently massage the brush in the soapy water for a minute and rinse under running water. You can repeat the process again if there are still traces of makeup in the brush. After the makeup brush is clean, use a paper towel to remove as much water as you can then allow it to dry.
You can also use makeup brush cleaner that can be purchased in store.
Cheap eyeshadow brushes that work well
A few of the best eyeshadow brushes I’ve tried
I hope you are not able to understand that eyeshadow brushes do matter. If you need help selecting the best eye make brushes, I will gladly help. Just comment below.
Do you have a favorite shadow brush or brand of makeup brushes? Let me know in the comments below.
