STOP CONFUSION! Here's the Secret to Makeup Brushes That Make Your Face Auto-Glow (Not Expensive Products!)

Oh no, in a hurry to attend a wedding or an important event, and when you’re about to do your makeup, the result isn’t as expected? Feel like you’ve used expensive products, but it still looks the same? Relax, Salwa Friend, I totally understand the frustration. Sometimes, the problem isn’t the product, but the ‘weapon’ we use to apply it. Yep, I’m talking about your makeup brushes!

Have you ever watched a makeup tutorial and thought, “Why is she using that brush? It looks different from mine.” Well, we often overlook these small details. In fact, choosing the right brush is like choosing the right spoon for eating ice cream, you know. The wrong spoon can make a mess and not taste as good as it should, right?

I vividly remember when I first started getting into makeup, the important thing was just to have a lot of brushes. Big, small, flat, round, just brush it all on. The result? Well, it was like that, sometimes streaky, sometimes too thick, sometimes not applied perfectly. It made blending a real chore!

Recently, I found some information from a cool makeup artist from Canada named Selena Marchand. She has a series of TikTok videos explaining why our makeup sometimes fails, even though the products are great. And guess what? The root cause is often our ‘worn-out’ and misused makeup brushes!

Dull Brushes, Dull Makeup!

Selena says, “Take a look at the brush collection in your makeup bag right now. If they look crusty, musty, and dusty, don’t expect to get good makeup results!”

Oh my goodness, speaking of ‘crusty’, I immediately imagine brushes with product buildup, colors that are unclear, and bristles that are all over the place. Just looking at them is off-putting, let alone applying them to your face, right?

SalwaSalon Tip: If you have brushes that are like that, it’s best to ‘retire’ them immediately. No need to wait until they’re severely damaged. Remember, cleanliness is the key to healthy skin and perfectly applied makeup. Instead of getting acne because of bacteria on dirty brushes, it’s better to invest in new, affordable yet quality brushes!

Selena also recommends affordable brands with good performance. She mentioned Morphe, which has brush sets for eyes and face, costing around $30 per set. Then there’s also Sephora Collection, which is said to be super affordable. See? You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have good tools!

Big Isn’t Always Better!

Here’s a classic mistake I find very often. Most people think, “Wow, this is a big brush, it must spread makeup quickly for foundation or blush.” Eits, don’t be fooled, Beauty Besties! The size of the brush greatly affects the final result.

Selena gives an example: if you use a ‘gajah’ (elephant-sized) brush, which can cover almost half of your cheek, it’s actually not good for applying blush or bronzer. Why? Because a brush that big will spread the product too widely, so the color won’t be focused on the area we want. As a result, the color can become uneven or too sheer.

“When you’re applying blush and bronzer, you want to stick to something that fits right on to your cheek, that doesn’t cover too much surface area,” says Selena. In essence, for blush and bronzer, choose a brush that fits the size of your cheekbone, so the color can be more blended and precise.

She shows a comparison: a super large brush that covers the entire cheek, versus a smaller brush that fits perfectly on the cheekbone area. The difference is very clear, right? The smaller brush makes the blush or bronzer color more ‘impactful’ and directed.

SalwaSalon Tip: For blush and bronzer, try to find a brush that’s a bit ‘fluffy’ but not too big. The important thing is that when you apply it, the brush just ‘sits nicely’ on the cheekbone area or where you want to add color, without spreading everywhere.

Foundation Brush? Not the Flat Ruler Kind!

Now, this is what often confuses people. Do you have a brush that’s flat and stiff like a ruler, and you use it to apply foundation? Wah, get ready for a ‘thick’ and uneven result!

Selena firmly states, “This is not a foundation brush, it’s never going to give you a good makeup application if you’re using this to apply foundation.” Flat, stiff brushes tend to ‘drag’ the foundation and make its texture uneven on the skin. It’s like sweeping the floor with a coarse broom; it won’t be perfectly clean.

So, what kind of brush is suitable for foundation? According to Selena, you need a brush with short, slightly angled bristles. Its dense but flexible shape allows the foundation to blend well into the skin, creating a smooth and natural finish.

“These are foundation brushes,” Selena explains, pointing to the brush she means. “The bristles are short and they’re on a little bit of an angle.” This type of brush is like a ‘master blender’ for foundation, able to even out the product without leaving visible brush strokes.

Myths vs. Facts:

• Myth: Large makeup brushes are better because they can blend makeup faster.
• Fact: Brush size should be adjusted to the application area. Large brushes are suitable for broad areas like the forehead or cheeks with powder products, but for details like blush or bronzer, smaller, more precise brushes are more effective.
• Myth: Flat, stiff makeup brushes are suitable for all types of foundation.
• Fact: Flat, stiff brushes tend to leave brush marks and make foundation look thick. The ideal foundation brush has short, dense, and slightly angled bristles for a smooth and even finish.

Plus, Don’t Forget Cleanliness is Number One!

We’ve talked about brush types, but don’t forget the crucial thing Selena mentioned at the beginning: brush cleanliness! No matter how cool your brushes are, if they’re dirty, the results won’t be optimal.

In the comments section of her video, many agreed and said they only just realized the importance of this. Some admitted to still having very ‘aged’ brushes from way back when, haha! Others asked Selena to make a video on how to clean brushes.

This is what makes me so excited to share this information with you. Because at SalwaSalon, we don’t just tell you how to dress up beautifully, but also how to boost your confidence with your appearance, including having the right and well-maintained tools.

So, how about it? Turns out it’s not complicated to achieve your dream glowing skin, right? Starting now, let’s pay more ‘attention’ to our makeup brushes. Make sure they’re clean, choose the right ones for their function, and feel the difference with every makeup stroke. Guaranteed, the confidence boost will be palpable!

Let’s start trying it tonight or when you’re getting ready tomorrow morning!