MY FAVORITE BRUSHES PT 1 – FACE

 I have a lot of makeup brushes. Like, A LOT.

 

 

See? I wasn’t kidding.

I generally keep them organized in their respective categories – foundation/concealer brushes, powder products (blush, bronzer, powder, contour/highlight, etc) brushes, and eye brushes. But I have a separate container for brushes that I use on a daily basis.

If I went into detail with every brush that I own and it’s purpose, we could be here for days. Literally. But I DO want to tell you about my faves, why I love them, and where to find them! Let’s get started!

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REAL TECHNIQUES MIRACLE COMPLEXION SPONGE ($7/ULTA)

 

 I know, it’s not a brush, it’s a sponge. But this is something that, since I discovered it, I haven’t been able to go a single day without using it. I know the Beauty Blender is supposed to be the ‘best makeup sponge around’ and it ‘can’t be imitated or duplicated’, but I actually like this better. It’s soft and squishy without being TOO soft, and it blends my concealer and foundation flawlessly. What I like most about this is that in addition to the traditional point at the top, which is great for getting that inner corner of the eye, it has a FLAT side that really gets up underneath the lower lashes and blends in the concealer. It’s also great for that area on either side of the nose, really helping to get in there and pick up any excess concealer (if you tend to be a bit heavy-handed like me!), eliminating any possibility of cake face!

REAL TECHNIQUES DELUXE CREASE BRUSH – ($18/ULTA)

 

 No, the brush itself isn’t $18 – but it’s only available (as far as I’m aware) as part of the ‘Starter Set’ which include 4 other brushes. Five brushes for $18 isn’t a bad deal at all! I like this brush for applying my NYX Dark Circle Concealer ($6) because it really helps to keep it pinpointed exactly where I want it. I don’t love the RT eye brushes for actual eyeshadow application, but they’re great for use on other parts of your face!

REAL TECHNIQUES SHADING BRUSH ($7/ULTA)

 

 This is probably the best spot-concealing brush I’ve ever used. I really helps to apply just the right amount of color corrector and concealer to blemishes! It’s small, densely packed, and it’s synthetic bristles don’t soak up your product, stealing it away from you. It blends concealer beautifully without depositing so much that you feel the need to blend it out into an unnecessarily large area just conceal one or two tiny red spots!

E.L.F. STUDIO FLAWLESS CONCEALER BRUSH ($3/elfcosmetics.com)

 

 You thought this was gonna be all about Real Techniques, didn’t you? NOPE! I picked this up in CVS one day (it’s also available at Target, too!) and after I tried it the next morning, I ran back and bought 2 more to have as backups! I like to use this to blend concealer under the eyes and down into the V shape to highlight the center of my face, and for larger areas that I just need to conceal redness, like the sides of my nose, or maybe my chin. I get such a flawless, airbrushed finish from this brush that I find I need LESS product to achieve my look!

MORPHE M439 DELUXE BUFFER ($14/morphebrushes.com)

 

 I actually got this for about $10 on HauteLook (go download their app, they have great deals!) and because it was a favorite of some of MY favorite YouTubers! Because it’s a densely packed kabuki brush, it will give you a medium to full coverage finish with your foundation. I have only one other go-to foundation brush (don’t worry, that’s next!) that gives me even REMOTELY close to the same flawless finish this brush does! Keep an eye on their website, they run sales often, so you may be able to snag this even cheaper!

REAL TECHNIQUES EXPERT FACE BRUSH ($9/ULTA)

 

 Before my M439 came in, this was my go to foundation brush. I still use it pretty regularly, because I find it to be just a high in quality as it’s Morphe counterpart. It’s full, soft, synthetic (no wasted product, again) and just a pleasure to use! If you’re looking for a good, inexpensive foundation brush and just can’t swing the M439 (shipping can be a tad pricey) this is a perfectly wonderful option!

E.L.F. STUDIO CONTOURING BRUSH ($6/elfcosmetics.com)

 

 Whether you’re new to contouring, or you’ve been at it for awhile, this is a great brush. Contouring was tricky for me, until I got my hands on this. It works with powder or cream contouring, it’s dense but super soft, and I’ve had it since it first launched and it’s yet to shed a single hair on me! I’ve seen this as a great dupe for the NARS ITA brush (though I haven’t tried it) which is crazy expensive for a brush! Try it! You won’t be sorry!

REAL TECHNIQUES STIPPLING BRUSH ($10/ULTA)

 

 This is such a versatile brush, it’s unreal. I use this for so many things – sheer coverage foundation, cream blush or bronzer, blending my contour, blush and highlight together – it really is a fantastic brush! If the price is a little steep for you (which I totally understand!) e.l.f. makes some great ones too for just $3!

REAL TECHNIQUES SETTING BRUSH ($8/ULTA)

 

 In an effort to go in order of application, I can’t believe I skipped over this! I love this for setting the under eye area, because it’s so small and fluffy and it’s slight point really helps to get up close and set everything! This is also great for applying your highlight to more pinpointed areas, if you’re oily like me and have to be careful where you put it!

REAL TECHNIQUES BLUSH BRUSH ($9/ULTA)

 

 I actually have two of these – one for blush, of course, and one for bronzer. It’s a very fluffy brush, and it’s great for either product. It’s even great for a natural, daytime appropriate contour, since it’s not as chiseled as a traditional contour brush, or applying your setting powder all over to finish your look – this one does just about everything!

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I realize this has gotten a little out of control and really, really long! I will be posting a PT 2 and going into detail on my favorite eye brushes in a couple days!

For my every day look I tend to focus more on flawless skin, since I have the occasional stubborn breakout, hyper pigmentation, and old acne scars to cover, so I thought I would detail the face brushes first!

Keep an eye out in the next few days for my favorite eye brushes! (See what I did there? HA!)

And don’t forget to go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito and go like the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook!

LOTS OF LOVE!