Makeup Brushes: Face

In my opinion, the most important aspect of makeup application is brushes. If you have the right brushes, you'll find that blending and contouring becomes much easier because the brushes do the work for you!
In this post, I'll be focusing on brushes that are used on the face. I use brushes from all different companies, at both high end and low ends of the spectrum. In this post, I am only going to talk about brushes that I physically own and use on a regular basis. Later, I will do another post of my full collection of brushes (jeeeeeze that will be a long post), and what I use them for, how I deep clean and daily clean them.
More after the jump!


Mac Cosmetics:
-130 Short Duo Fiber Brush - $38
What the website says:
A short, round, flat-topped brush ideal for the smooth, easy application of foundations, creams, emulsions, and select powder products. Features a blend of natural bristles and synthetic fibres.
What I say:
This brush is awesome for blending/buffing cream or liquid foundations into the skin. A little trick for this brush is to use it to apply your primer also, by doing this you get a really nice, smooth, and perfect application 

-134 Large Powder Brush - $52
What the website says:
An extra large paddle-shaped brush featuring a fluffed, rounded tip. Of soft natural fibre, this brush is specially designed to provide flawless application of powder to face or body.
What I say:
This brush is really dense and big. It is best when trying to apply a big more of product rather than a sheer layer. Because it is so dense, it does shed a bit, but nothing too big, I use this as an all over face powder brush and to blend out any hard lines from my blush.

- 187 Duo Fiber Brush - $42
What the website says:
A large full circular brush used for lightweight application and blending of face powder or pigments. Use to create soft layers or add textures. Made from a soft blend of goat and synthetic fibres.
What I say:
This brush is amazing. I love this for sheer washes of face powder and also to apply liquid foundation. When you use this with liquid foundation, and buff it into the skin, you get the appearance of being air brushed.

 
-188 Small Duo Fiber Face Brush - $34
What the website says:
 A flat-topped, full circular brush used for lightweight application and blending of any formula colour – fluid, cream, powder or pigment. Ideal for creating soft layers or adding textures. Made from a soft blend of goat and synthetic fibres.
What I say:
This brush is great for applying and blending concealer, cream brush, and even foundation. Because it is smaller and therefore the bristles are closer together, instead of giving a sheer application like the 180 brush, this give more coverage and more control.




- 194 Concealer Brush - $19
What the website says:
Specially styled for small-area coverage and precise application. Firm and flat, slightly tapered. Good for blending "undereye" and for "spot" touch-ups. If you want to conceal flawlessly, use this!
What I say:
This is a nice dense - but not too dense- brush great for application of concealer, cream shadows, pain pots, eye shadow bases, etc. The unique shape allows it to get in to the corners of the eyes.I use this brush when applying cream shadows as bases for powdered shadows because its not so dense that it pulls or scrates the delecate eye area, its texture is also perfect for the skin under the eye as well.


Sephora:


Platinum Airbrush - $34
What the website says: 
Sephora Brand Professionnel Platinum Air Brush #55 is the secret to the smoothest foundation finish possible. This essential tool blends as it applies, allowing for a smooth, natural-looking result. Build from light to heavy with ease as you continue application—your results will be perfectly pretty at every level of coverage.
What I say:
This brush is another alternative to the Mac 180 Duo Fiber Brush, even though it looks much different. This brush gives a slightly more full coverage but the effect is still the same: flawless airbrushed skin. This brush is incredibly soft, however it does require a little more cleaning becasue it is so dense it can collect more residu faster than some of the other brushes.
 
- Platinum Blush Brush -$35
What the website says: 
The angled bristles fit perfectly over the cheekbone, which makes pronouncing your cheeks especially easy. The anti-bacterial bristles are made of nylon and resist residue so you don't have to clean the brush as often as you would with natural fibers. 
What I say:
For me, it was really hard to find a blush brush that didnt shed, and gave me even and uniform color.  Not only is this an amazing brush for blush, but it is also incredible for highlighting and contouring the face. It's again, super soft and it feels great in the hand. 


- Platinum Angled Foundation Brush - $30
What the website says: 
The angled shape allows you to paint with precision, as it twists to fit perfectly in hard-to-reach places. The tri-tone synthentic taklon fibers not only look professional, they also provide a concentrated application without absorbing product.
What I say:
This is a great brush if you really like the traditional foundation brush. However, Sephora has put a slight twist on the old standby. Because this brush is angled, it works very well around the nose, under the eyes, and any other smaller crevices. I am not a HUGE fan of using a traditional foundation brush becasue I have found that they can tend to come out streaky, but this one is different. It never comes out streaky and it gives me alot of control because it is angled. When I plan on using a traditional foundation brush, this is the only one that I reach for.