As if learning to apply makeup correctly isn't overwhelming enough, learning (and investing in) the appropriate tools to make your makeup application look seamless is even more overwhelming.
Whether you're starting off building your kit as a freelance makeup artist or just learning how to do your makeup for yourself, buying brushes can be the biggest investment you make in all of your makeup endeavors. As long as I've been into makeup, I've only recently begun to expand my brush collection. While you can opt for cheap brushes, or even just using the applicators that come with the products that you purchase, actually taking the time out to purchase brushes that can last for years can be very beneficial in the long run. Everything is kicks and giggles until your cheap brushes start to break in half or shed like house cats. While some people argue that it isn't about what you use, it's more about the technique, I beg to differ.
Investing in quality brushes can save you a lot of time and a headache in the end.
Whether you're just starting out with makeup or investing in your arsenal of brushes, if you have a few brushes (specifically the 8 below), you can get by until your ready to add new not-so-necessary ones to your collection. Also, some brushes can be used for multiple purposes, giving you way more bang for your buck.
Foundation Brush
A basic foundation brush is typically a flat brush (sort of like a painter's brush) with stiff bristles made for applying cream/liquid foundations. It's usually made out of synthetic fibers that can contain an anti-bacterial coating for safer use.
Concealer Brush
A basic concealer brush looks like a mini foundation brush. This brush also has stiff bristles that can apply concealer precisely to areas with blemishes, under eye circles, or to clean up around filled eyebrows and conceal around the lips.
Powder Brush
A fluffy brush that can be made of either synthetic or natural fibers that dusts powder around the skin. The the fluffiness of the brush helps to apply the powder without it looking cakey, unlike when you apply powder with a compact sponge.
Blush Brush
This brush can come angled (or not) but is essentially a smaller powder blush made to apply blush to the apples of the cheeks and blended out towards the hairline.
Eye Shadow
This brush is typically slightly flat and fluffy in order to pack on eyeshadow, usually the all over lid/ base color.
Eye Contour/Crease/Blending
This brush helps to apply darker eyeshadow colors to the crease of the eye and blend out the harsh lines between eyeshadows, creating a better transition.
Angled Brow Brush + Spoolie
This brush is the perfect duo to get and keep your brows on fleek. You can start by brushing your brows upward with the spoolie end and filling them in with a brow gel/cream/powder with the angled brush end. You can also use the angled brush portion to apply/cream eyeliner. It works perfectly for a sharp winged eyeliner.
Blending Sponge
This sponge, though clearly not a brush, is the perfect multitasking face tool. You can apply foundation/concealer, blend a contour, set concealer with a loose powder, and probably a whole bunch of other things with this sponge. These sponges can be used both wet or dry and with creams or products. Honestly, it's a great investment and very fun to experiment with to say the least.
Deciding what brushes you need in order to really step your makeup application game up can be a tad bit tricky but taking baby steps, starting with these 8 essential brushes can take a load off.
What are some of your go-to brushes when it comes to achieving a beat face? Share with us below!
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Camesha created the organization after her struggles with mental health and the lack of community she experienced. The Chicago native explains how she created Sista Afya to be rooted in “culturally grounded care.”
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet/ Shutterstock
“So at my organization, Sista Afya Community Care, we focus on providing mental health care through a cultural and gender lens,” she tells xoNecole. “So when we think about the term intersectionality, coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, we think about the multiple identities that lead to certain experiences and outcomes as it relates to Black women.
“So in the context of culturally grounded care, being aware of the cultural history, the cultural values, and then also the current issues that impact mental health outcomes.”
Words like “strong” and “independent” have long been associated with Black women for some time and many of us have begun to embrace the soft life and are using rest as a form of resistance. However, some of us still struggle with putting ourselves first and overall shedding the tainted image of the “strong, Black woman” that had been forced on us.
Camesha shares that while there’s more and more communities being created around empowerment and shared interests like running, she still questions, “are Black women really comfortable with being vulnerable about sharing their experiences?”
Being vulnerable with ourselves and others play an important role in healing the instinctive nature of always being “on” for everyone. “I'm currently facilitating a group on high functioning depression, and yesterday, we talked about how when Black women may be struggling or have shared their concerns with other people. They may be minimized, or they're told to just be strong, or it's not so bad, or I went through something worse back in Jim Crow era, so you should be thankful,” she explains.
“So I think there's a challenge with Black women being able to be honest, to be vulnerable and to receive the support that they need in the same capacity as how much they give support to other people. So that is probably a very common theme. I think we've made a lot of progress when we talk about the superwoman syndrome, the mammy stereotype, the working hard stereotype, the nurturing stereotype. I think we're beginning to unpack those things, but I still see that we have definitely a long way to go in that area.”
I think there's a challenge with Black women being able to be honest, to be vulnerable and to receive the support that they need in the same capacity as how much they give support to other people.
Roman Samborskyi/ Shutterstock
While we’re unpacking those things, we know that we’re still women at the end of the day. So as we continue to serve in various roles like mothers, daughters, sisters, and caretakers, we have to make caring for ourselves a priority. Camesha reveals four ways we can still care for others without abandoning ourselves.
Trust
First things first, trust. Camesha explains, “Some of the burdens that Black women have can be linked to not feeling like you can trust people to carry the load with you.
“It's hard because people experience trauma or being let down or different experiences, but one of the things that I found personally is the more that I'm able to practice trust, the more I'm able to get my needs met. Then, to also show up as my best to care for other Black women.”
Know Your Limitations
Another thing Camesha highlighted is Black women knowing their limitations. “The other thing that I would like to bring up in terms of a way to care for yourself is to really know your limitations, or know how much you can give and what you need to receive,” she says.
“So often, what I see with Black women is giving, giving, giving, giving, giving to the point that you're not feeling well, and then not receiving what you need in return to be able to feel well and whole individually. So I really think it's important to know your limitations and know your capacity and to identify what it is that you need to be well.”
Don’t Take On A Lot Of Responsibilities
Next on the list is not taking on so many responsibilities, sharing herself as an example. “The other thing is taking on too much responsibility, especially in a time of vulnerability.
“One thing that I personally struggled with was being so passionate about community mental health for Black women, and saying yes to everything and taking on so much responsibility,” she reveals. “That affected me to do well in serving Black women and then also impacting my own well being.”
Practice Self-Care
Lastly, she notes the importance of practicing self-care. “The last thing is really practicing regular self care, regular community care, so that it's embedded into your daily life. So for me, having prepared meals, going to the gym, getting eight hours of sleep, spending time with friends and family, all of those things are part of my self care that keep me at my best,” she explains.
“Then community care, leaning into social networks or social groups, or spending time with other interests or hobbies. That's a part of my community care that keeps me going, so that I can take care of my needs, but also to be able to show up best in care for others.”
Find out more about Camesha and Sista Afya Community Care at communitycare.sistaafya.com.
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Feature image by AS Photo Family/ Shutterstock