5 Make Up Tools You Never Knew You Needed
If you're trying to perfect a particular technique or give your {make up} an HD-ready finish, there’s a whole range of {tools} out there that go way beyond the humble blusher {brush} to take your look to the next level... Here are five of our can't-live-without heroes.
ZOEVA’s {Petit Fan Brush} not only looks adorable but is also an effective way to remove excess mascara and separate lashes for a natural and non-clumpy look. After you apply your mascara, simply brush it through your lashes, and the featherlight bristles will collect any stray clumps and flecks (it’s great for dusting away any rogue product from under the lower lashes too). It's also one of the best highlighter brushes we've found - use it to gently dust highlighting powder onto smaller areas, such as the arch of the brow, down the centre of the nose and on the cupid’s bow.
Bésame’s {Long Hair Finishing Powder Brush} is the Beyoncé of all buffing brushes. Not only does the shape give a dressing table a Pinterest-worthy vintage allure, but the size and easy-to-grip handle allows you to effortlessly buff in your base products. You can also dust away any excess powder with minimal effort. It’s great for buffing bronzer and body make up over areas like the back and décolleté – ideal if you’re sporting a strapless/backless dress.
Laura Mercier's {Glow Brush} has a wavy shape, which may look strange – but this face oddity fits the contours of your face perfectly, making it ideal for running along the cheeks and jawline. So for those scared of a stripy-looking contour, we’d suggest choosing this ingenious tool that delivers a natural looking definition that won’t look awkward or ‘drawn on’. With tightly packed bristles, it’ll work with cream and powder pigments, evenly diffusing them for effortless sculpting in an instant.
Yes, we know {Beautyblenders} are technically sponges and not brushes, but we just had to include them, as our make up bags haven’t been without them since they launched. The unique shape makes them easy to fit all the corners and crevices of your face, while their stature allows for ultra-precision. Plus their pink hue means they can be used multiple times without fading or tarnishing.
Sigma Beauty {Bent Liner Brush} might look crooked at first glance, but this is ideal for gel liner, especially if you’re after a thin barely-there line or a statement cat eye. The trick is to lay the bent part of the brush handle flat against the eyelid as you sweep the colour along the lash line. This helps to steady the brush itself, giving you extra control and minimising wobbles – ideal for those with a shaky hand. Better still, you can even use it to line your mouth as an alternative to {lip pencil}.
SHOP TOOLS & APPLICATORS >>
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Cult Beauty’s Content Editor and a Cult Beauty OG, Verity loves nothing more than the marriage of language and lip balm. A quintessential Libran, she’s a self-professed magpie for luxury ‘must-haves' and always pursuing the new and the niche — from the boujee-est skin care to cutting-edge tech. Balancing an urge to stop the clock with her desire to embrace the ageing process (and set a positive example for her daughter), Verity's a retinol obsessive and will gladly share her thoughts about the time-defying gadgets, masks and treatments worth the splurge...
