
Photos compliments of Dorothy Gotlib & Bartek Koss
The perfect accessory to any makeup bag are brushes. I went all through high school using sponges and my hands not realizing what I was missing. I wish someone had told me earlier how much of my foundation I had been wasting, or how many breakouts I may have prevented by throwing away those bacteria ridden, porous thieves. Also, if you are more eco-friendly, professional brushes are an investment that last 6-10 years. Think of all the waste you could be saving.
If I were stuck on a desert island…and somehow (very unlikely) I managed to have brought my essential beauty items, I could “survive” with only three brushes. If you saw my brush belt, I have multiples of my top faves. My most recent favorite is the Sephora Brand Professional Platinum Airbrush #55. I primarily use this for liquid foundation. You may be wondering why fluffy instead of flat is a better option, and I can tell you I wasn’t a believer until I tried it. OMG, flawless! It blends so easily, creating that airbrushed foundation look that is so close to natural. Another perk is this brush is also great for powder, bronzer and blush. I just swirl the brush on a tissue with some rubbing alcohol to remove the surface foundation, which allows it to dry quickly for your powder products.

Sephora Brand Professional Platinum Airbrush #55
For eyes, my top two can do it all. I fell in love with the MAC 217 Blending Brush and have had a constant love affair since. It blends so seamlessly due to the ideal length and density of the bristles. In my last blog about “The Softer Side of Smokey”, I mentioned how brushes are key to blend, blend, blend! I swear by my MAC 217, it does most of the work. If you are having a difficult time with your smokey eye, this is the brush for you. I prefer the MAC 217 above others because of the natural fibers that are carefully hand-crafted and guaranteed to last for years. There are more pocket book friendly options like the Sephora Brand Professional Blending Eye Brush #29. My other fave eye brush is double the fun. =) The Sephora Brand Double-Ended Smokey Eye Brush has an awesome smudger on one end and an angled liner brush on the other. The smudger is perfect for softening eyeliner or creating a smokey texture. The angled end has so many uses: brow shaping, eyeliner (gel, powder, cream) and lip blending are a few.

MAC 217 Blending Brush

Sephora Brand Professional Blending Eye Brush #29

Sephora Brand Double-Ended Smokey Eye Brush
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you’re looking to build a brush collection, these are the perfect staples for you. Just remember that they are an investment that will last 6-10 years. Take care of your brushes by keeping them out of your makeup bag and in a case of their own. Another key is to wash them at least once a week. I use a gentle shampoo and luke-warm water. Just get a good lather going and rinse gently until you see the water running clear. Try to keep the water from getting above the metal ferrule (the thing that holds the bristles on) because it could loosen the glue. Reshape the bristles and lay flat to dry (takes about 6 hours). Love your brushes and they will love you back for years to come. You’ll love how fun and easy it is to try new looks when you have the right tools. Accessorize your makeup collection and let the fun begin.


Hannah Butler Make-up Artist Imagine Three