There are SO many different types of make-up brushes that knowing what you need - and what exactly you need it for - can be really confusing. But the secret to a flawless face really does lie in the tools you use to apply it, so it's worth investing in your make-up brushes and learning more about them.
To help you out, we've outlined the brush essentials that every self-respecting make-up junkie should have in their beauty arsenal…
@spectrumcollections
Beauty Blender
Beauty Blender Pro Sponge, £16
Okay, so this one isn’t technically a brush but it’s an absolute must for your make-up bag. Use it damp as it expands when wet and becomes fluffy and bounces across the skin. The large rounded edge is perfect for light all-over foundation application whilst the pointed end is ideal for those hard to reach areas around the nose and under the eyes.
Powder Brush
Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection Arched Powder Brush, £22
The bristles on Real Technique’s Arched Powder Brush are the perfect density for picking up powder and the specially engineered weighted handle helps you to apply just the right amount - no #cakeface in sight.
Contour Brush
Charlotte Tilbury Powder & Sculpt Brush, £35
This tapered contour brush is a lot smaller than traditional bronzing brushes, allowing you to really get into the hollows of your cheekbones for model-standard sculpting.
Blush Brush
MAC 129 Powder Blush Brush, £28
This rounded, dome-topped brush is the perfect size and shape for tapping blush onto the apples of your cheeks for a rosy flush.
Fan Brush
Eco Tools Fan Brush, £6.99
We’re big fans of highlighter here at HFM and fan brushes are definitely the best way to go about applying them. The flat fan shape means that you can sweep shimmer down your cheekbones exactly where you want it.
Foundation Brush
Estée Lauder Foundation Brush, £30
If you like a full coverage finish a traditional flat foundation brush is the way forward. There are hundreds out there but this one from Estée Lauder is the best we’ve tried, packing on coverage where you need it without going streaky.
Lip Brush
My Kit Co. 3.1 My Line & Fill Brush, £13.50
Intense matte lips are everywhere at the moment but precision is key to rocking a bold lip. This lip brush from MUA-favourite My Kit Co has a curved edge to fill in the lip and a pointed tip to help define your cupid’s bow. You’ll wonder how you ever rocked a red lip without it!
Angled Liner Brush
Illamasqua Angled Brush, £19.50
Gel liner is tricky to apply at the best of times, so you want to make sure you tackle it with confidence. This brush is perfect for creating a sleek flick and can also be used with brow powder to reshape and fill in the brows.
Smudger Brush
Spectrum Short ‘N’ Sweet Brush, £3.99
Whether you’re smudging out your kohl eyeliner à la Kate Moss or using it to press shadow right into the lash line for a fuller lash look, this micro brush from Spectrum has a multitude of uses.
Blending Brush
Zoeva 221 Luxe Soft Crease Brush, £9
Blending brushes are essential when working a darker shade in your crease. This one from Zoeva is the perfect size to slot into the socket of your eye to add depth and dimension to your eye make-up.
All-Over Lid Brush
Lottie London All Eyes on You Eyeshadow Brush, £5
Flat brushes like this one from Lottie London are great at packing on high-pigment colour all over the eyelid as a base.
Eyebrow Spoolie
Crown Brush C115 Pro Spoolie, £2.25
You’re probably wondering what on earth a spoolie is, but this often-overlooked tool is a lifesaver when it comes to doing your brows. Essentially a mascara brush without any product on, use it to brush your brows into place for a perfectly-groomed look.