It can be tempting to skimp on buying good quality brushes with an assumption that cheap ones should do just fine. It can be particularly tempting to skimp when you see the prices of professional brushes. Sticker shock is a common reaction by women I work with when I mention the price of individual professional makeup brushes. I may show her a pony hair powder brush that is $40 and she temporarily stops breathing. What's interesting is the lack of context many women fail to have comparing purchases. She may be willing to spend $30 on a bottle of foundation (which lasts 6 months) yet be reticent to purchase quality tools (which if taken care of can last 5 years or more). I tell my clients to think of buying good brushes like buying good shoes. They immediately get the point: good shoes are at least $40 but women don't flinch because they are very accustomed to shoe shopping. Its simply a matter of exposure.
So why are professional brushes better? The answer is: the application and the wear. Cheap brushes have a tendency to streak and drag color on in uneven ways. The synthetic bristles often do not hold the pigment and you will end up with more on the ground than on your skin. You will also notice that it is very common for cheap brushes to fray easily and shed. (Nothing is more annoying that trying to pick off little hairs all over your skin). The wear of good brushes, if taken care of properly, is also ten times better.
When you are ready to purchase brushes visit a retailer where you can actually feel and test the various types. Sephora is a terrific store to be able to test out brushes from many different lines. Sephora also has their own line of professional brushes that are actually very good quality. It is important to be able to feel the brush in your hand and try application. This is definitely where a professional sales person will come in handy. He or she should be able to tell you what type of hair the brush is and how it is assembled. The best brushes will have the hairs sewn into the handle not glued.
You may feel overwhelmed by how many brushes there are to choose from but you will likely only need 5 or 6 to complete your basic needs: A well rounded powder brush, an angled blush brush, concealer brush, an all-over eyeshadow brush for depositing base color all over the lid, a dome-shaped eyeshadow brush for blending color in the crease, and an eye smudge brush that can be used smudge eyeliner and to apply brow color. There are many others that I love that I would recommend, but these are the best basics for you to have.
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