Makeup can often be a really important part of a person’s daily routine. If you’re the kind of person who can’t leave the house without even a quick cosmetic fix, you’ll know that makeup brushes are an essential buys when out shopping for basic beauty needs.

Most cosmetics already come with their own applicators, but the best makeup brushes will usually need to be bought separately. Of course, if you’re going to spend all of that money, you’re going to have to figure out how to clean makeup brushes. After all, what’s the use of having a really great set of makeup brushes if they’re all gross and grungy?

Of course, there are a lot of different kinds of makeup brushes, with different shapes and sizes, textures, handle lengths, and bristles. Each one has a different function and are great for applying different kinds of makeup. Unless you’re a professional makeup artist though, you don’t really need to buy all of them.

If you just want to be able to apply your makeup well, it’s good to stick to a few “essential” brushes that are both versatile and practical, and are the best makeup brushes to suit most people’s makeup needs.

A large powder brush is one of those essentials. It’s a big, full brush with a domed or rounded shape, and it’s useful for dusting on loose powder or brushing off excess.

A concealer brush, on the other hand, has a squarer-shaped head, with corners that are tapered for blending. It should have a long handle and be a comfortable weight for your hand, since it’ll be used for precision applications.

A foundation brush is another makeup brush must-have. It’s a large brush with a flat, wide, and tapered head, useful for cream or liquid foundations.

For blush-on, use a brush that is slightly smaller than a powder brush, with a large head and slight tapering.

For your eye makeup, start with a medium-sized eye shadow brush with a square head slightly tapering corners, and firm but soft bristles. An angled or slanted eye liner brush is also a great addition to your makeup brush set. Try to make sure that the head is small and narrow, with bristles that are soft, but firm, because it’s meant to apply fine lines and blend or soften edges. A lip brush with a small, flat, narrow edge is great for blending and applying lipstick; just make sure that it has a cap and/or a retractable head, for hygienic purposes.

If you want to learn how to clean makeup brushes, but are worried about having to go through a lot of hassle to do it, stop worrying! All you need to do is run the bristles of each brush under some warm water, use a bit of shampoo to work up a bit of a lather, then rinse off as much of the makeup tint as you can, and air dry them. If you take care them, the best makeup brushes can serve you for years.

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