A beginner's guide to buying make-up brushes for everyday use

Make-up applications can be intimidating, especially if you’re a beginner. However, with the right tools, you can achieve a flawless look and feel confident and beautiful. One of the first and most important tools for achieving this is a good set of make-up brushes. But with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one to suit your requirement. Read on to know where to start and what to expect when it comes to make-up brush sets for beginners.

Where to start
When starting out with make-up brushes, it’s important to understand you don’t need to buy a full set of brushes right away. You can start with just a few essential brushes and add more as you become more comfortable with application. Here are the basic brushes you’ll need in your beginner's kit:

Foundation brush

A flat headed brush with a slightly titled cut and a large surface area, this one is perfect for the broad application that a liquid or cream foundation requires. 

Concealer brush 

For more focused application, this one is a smaller, rounder brush that allows for easy blending on the colour corrector (if you are using one) and a concealer, be it around the eyes or the face. 

Powder brush 

A thick brush with an oval shape, this one holds enough loose or pressed powder to be on it while shaking off the excess so as to not make the face cakey. 

Blush brush

Another one from the fat brush kitty, this one is as fat or fatter than the foundation brush and does not have a titled head, because this one does not require blending. 

Eyeshadow brush

This one comes in varied sized based on the style of eyeshadow you are aiming for. There is a bigger one for broad stroke eyeshadows, a medium one for the second colour that you might want for specific area application, and a small one for darker colours that does not require too much product application.

Blending brush

With longer bristles and a more cylindrical stitch, this one is used after the application to blend in the eyeshadow for that seamless look.

Angled brush

This one may be our favourite, because it offers perfect application everytime—be it defining your eyebrows or giving your eyes those open no-eyeline-liner-look. 

What to expect
When it comes to make-up brushes, there are two main varieties available: natural and synthetic. Natural brushes are made from animal hair, while the synthetic ones are made from synthetic fibers. Compared to the synthetic ones, natural brushes tend to be more expensive and require more maintenance. They are also more durable and tend to pick up and apply product more evenly. 

Another thing to consider when choosing a make-up brush set is the bristle shape. Flat brushes are best for applying products in a straight line, rounded brushes are better for blending, and angled brushes are great for precise application.

When shopping for a make-up brush set, keep in mind that quality is key. While it may be tempting to opt for a cheap set, investing in high-quality brushes will save you money in the long run. Quality brushes last longer and perform better, making your make-up application process smoother and more enjoyable.

Sonal Hankare is the head of marketing and commuincations at Proarte, a brand that specialises in accessible and innovative makeup tools for beginners and experts.