Explainer / What are the different make-up brush types – and how do you pick the best one? Dior, Chanel, Nars, Hourglass and Laura Mercier have you covered

Nov 6 , 2024

Charlotte Tilbury is among the luxury beauty brands offering quality make-up brushes. Photos: Handout

Mastering make-up begins with the right tools – read on for the essential brushes you need in your arsenal, along with expert tips on technique and brush care for long-lasting performance

Stepping into a beauty store and facing an array of make-up brushes can feel overwhelming. Rows of brushes, each promising to perfect a specific look, can leave even the most seasoned beauty lover wondering where to start.

Knowing the difference between a foundation brush and a powder brush, or learning how to contour with the right tool, can elevate any make-up routine. But with so many choices, how do you find the brushes that make application a breeze?

Starting with the basics, the foundation brush takes the lead. Available as flat, buffing and stippling brushes, each type creates a smooth base. They blend liquid foundation seamlessly or provide an airbrushed finish. Joshua Lam, trainer at Laura Mercier Hong Kong, recommends the brand’s Real Flawless Foundation Brush for its densely packed, ultra-soft bristles and teardrop shape that “allows for effortless application that reaches all contours of the face”.

Next is the concealer brush: small and precise, and ideal for detailed work. It helps cover blemishes and brighten under-eye circles for an even complexion. Phoenix Mok, Nars Hong Kong lead artist, suggests a brush shaped like a fingertip with looser bristles, naming the brand’s Radiant Creamy Concealer Brush as a good choice.

“[It’s] convenient for pressing concealer into the under-eye area and tear trough to build up desired coverage, or for pushing and blending out the edges,” he says.

Typically large and fluffy, meanwhile, the powder brush is useful for applying loose or pressed powder to set make-up and reduce shine. Nars’ Precision Powder Brush stands out for its tapered, drop-shaped design. “It’s more tapered compared with regular powder brushes. This allows you to apply precisely with powder on the areas you need, without over-applying. The pointed tip can also be used to sweep away any excess powder,” Mok explains.

For a touch of colour, the blush brush is a medium-sized, dome-shaped marvel. It deposits a suitable amount on the cheeks, providing a natural flush. All-time favourites include Chanel’s Pinceau Blush No 110 and Dior’s Backstage Blush Brush No 16, both of which consistently deliver a smooth and even layer.

Equally important are eyeshadow brushes, including the flat, dense type for packing colour onto the lids, and a blending brush for creating a seamless gradient. The angled brush is another multitasker, ideal for applying eyeliner or filling in eyebrows with precision. Lam highlights the necessity of a basic flat, slightly rounded eyeshadow brush for applying and blending colour smoothly. For eyeliner, he suggests a flat brush with a thin profile for precise, sharp lines close to the lashes.