Makeup brushes can be really difficult to understand. There are just so many different kinds out there, with each brush differing from the other brush just a little bit. Then, once you figure out which brush you actually want to buy, it’s a whole other story of when/how to use said brush.

In order to help out my fellow makeup wearers, I’ve created a makeup brush guide that may help you in your future of makeup. I’ll tell you what the brush is for, where on your face to use it, and how exactly to use the brush. Here we go!

Foundation Brush

What It Does: This brush, obviously, is for your foundation! If you’re using a liquid or cream foundation, you may want to go with a tapered (narrower) brush, while when using powder you can go for a more rounded brush.
Where to Use It: All over your face/neck
How to Use It: It depends on how much coverage you want! For a more full coverage, use a “dabbing” technique while starting in the areas of the face that need the most coverage while working your way down. For a lighter, sheerer coverage, use swiping motions!

Powder Brush

What It Does: A powder brush is great because you can use it for many things, whether it’s bronzer, highlighter, or any other powder in your arsenal. The tightly packed bristles in the brush make for a big and fluffy brush perfect for holding the powder on the brush. You can also use what is called a Kabuki Brush as well for your powders!
Where to Use It: Depends on what you’re doing. For instance, bronzer would be placed on your hairline, jawline, and beneath your cheek bones. Highlighter, however, would be placed on your chin, in between your eyebrows/forehead, and above your cheekbones.
How to Use It: Tapping off any excess powder from your brush, lightly brush the product in the aforementioned places on your face!

Angled/Contour Brush

What It Does: An angled brush is basically the same thing as a powder brush, but the angled aspect allows for a more precise look and the stiffer bristles allow for more ease with contouring.
Where to Use It: Same places as mentioned with the powder brush.
How to Use It: The same way as mentioned with the powder brush.

Fan Brush

What It Does: Besides being the perfect starter to your array of “I have so many fans” puns, a fan brush is awesome for fixing any mistakes you think you’ve made. You can use it to sweep any excess powders away or to reposition any makeup without interrupting the rest of your look. They can also be used for bronzer and highlighter if you want to have a softer effect.
Where to Use It: Bronzer/highlighter areas, or anywhere you think needs fixing
How to Use It: Just gently sweep at the places you’d like to fix/add your bronzer or highlighter!

Blending Brush

What It Does: This brush is perfect for when you’re using multiple eyeshadows to create your eye look. It blends all of your colors together to give a more clean and seamless look.
Where to Use It: Your eyes; usually the lid/crease area
How to Use It: Without applying any product to it, swirl the brush over where your eyeshadow colors meet until the colors fade into each other.

Angled Eyeshadow Brush

What It Does: This is probably my favorite eyeshadow brush I have. This brush fits perfectly into the corner of your eye, giving your eyes more dimension and allowing for the perfect dramatic look or smokey eye.
Where to Use It: The outer corner of your eye/slightly into your crease.
How to Use It: Tapping off any excess product, lightly make a V-shape in the outer corner of your eye. You would then go in with your blending brush to blend it all together, and from there you can add any extra product to the corner if you’d like!

Crease Brush

What It Does: This brush fits comfortably into the crease of your eye so you can add depth to your crease and to the outer corner of your eye!
Where to Use It: The crease of your eyes. If you aren’t entirely sure where your crease is, it’s right underneath your brow bone!
How to Use It: Starting in the outer corner of your eye, sweep this brush across your crease in little windshield wiper motions! Don’t forget to blend after!

Eyeliner Brush

What It Does: Eyeliner brushes are perfect for gel liners or if you’re using eyeshadow as liner! It’s nice and angled to make the application process even easier.
Where to Use It: Upper and lower lash lines.
How to Use It: Apply some gel/eyeshadow to your brush and line your lash lines very tightly. If you’re doing a winged or cat eye look, feel free to bring the liner as far up as you’d like!

Eyebrow Brush

What It Does: This brush helps you fill and define your eyebrows while still giving them a natural look. The short and stiff bristles along with the angled aspect of the brush allows for proper shading and definition!
Where to Use It: Your eyebrows (shocking, I know).
How to Use It: With eyebrow powder (or gel if you want a longer wear),use very short strokes to apply it all over the brow. Make your strokes go the same way your hair grows to ensure the look appears natural!

Please remember to wash your brushes to ensure they're nice and clean so you can keep your skin nice and healthy! Enjoy!