Beautiful Makeup Brushes
Sunday 20th April 2008 by Elizabeth Richards
 We women scour beauty halls for the best brands and the most flattering colours to recreate the look; yet the secret to perfection lies not with the most expensive brands but in choosing the right instruments for application. Sponges were once the tool of choice – and there has been much talk of fingers, a method that many have adopted to great success – but the crème de la crème of cosmetic accessories is the makeup brush: sexy, sleek and utterly covetable.
From foundation and concealer to colour for the eyes and lips, there’s a brush for just about every product and whether skin is blemish-prone and badly-behaved or clean, clear and fresh as a daisy, they’ll make a world of difference to the end result. Wield them correctly whilst you sculpt and define features and makeup will look smoother and skin appear more evenly toned. You’ll use them every day so don’t scrimp. Cheap brushes are a false economy – you can replace them more often but they’ll shed their bristles and are likely to irritate the skin.
Invest in luxury brushes that’ll last a lifetime. Those with natural bristles are the preferred eco-option although high quality synthetic fibres such as Taklon usually give equally professional results. Whichever way you swing, make sure bristles are soft not scratchy and that they’re securely bonded into the handle. And to keep them looking their best, wash frequently with warm water and a drop of baby shampoo. Dry thoroughly, store carefully – invest in a roll or individual sheaths to protect from dust and dirt – and never, ever share!
Clinique Bronzer Brush, £20
This generously-sized brush gives all-over coverage for smooth application and natural looking results and is made using antibacterial technology to help keep skin clean. Perfectly angled with an easy grip design, simply load with powder, tap to remove excess and apply to the face.
Available at www.Clinique.co.uk 
By Terry Cheek Brush, £50
Made with naturally soft squirrel-hair, this chunky little brush is surprisingly firm and gives precise application of colour for perfectly contoured cheeks. Its short flat shape is exclusive to the brand, making it a bit of a cult buy for the makeup bag, yet this is no gimmick: invest now for a beautiful blush.
Available at www.SpaceNK.co.uk
Bobbi Brown Eye Smudge Brush, £21
Bobbi Brown brushes are snapped up by professionals who appreciate their smart design and high quality, with this nifty smudging brush sitting atop our list for summer. Designed to give the sexiest smoky eye, it has a plump shape with a sharp tip and is available in a standard length or with a shorter more user-friendly handle.
Available at www.BobbiBrown.co.uk
Stila #27 Foundation Brush, £14
If you haven’t yet tried the foundation-plus-brush combo, splash out on this stylish brush which has been specially designed to give a flawless airbrushed finish. Made with synthetic Taklon, it has been beautifully cut and contoured and is lightweight and easy to angle. A budget buy, but a goodie.
Available at www.HQHair.com
Laura Mercier Pull Apart Lip Colour Brush, £22
Put the summer’s colours to their best advantage with this sculpted brush which has a rounded tip and tapered sides for perfect control during application along the lip line. Its neat design allows for clean and safe storage while the natural bristles are soft but firm with no shedding noticed at all.
Available at www.Harrods.com
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