1.Decide what you want the brush for. There are brushes for face powder, foundation, concealer, blushers, eye shadow and liner, lipstick and also more specialised ones, such as contour and spoolies for separating eyelashes and brows.



2.Look at the hair that the brush is made out of. There are synthetic and natural hairbrushes, Synthetics are better for the application of cream products, such as gel eyeliners, mousse blushers etc. Natural hair is good for eye shadow and powder as it can give a silkier finish.

3.The classic hair for brushes is sable, which comes from Squirrel, and is a durable and soft hair to have. Goat is also another popular hair that is a bit rougher. There are also synthetic brushes that resemble natural hair (check your packaging to see what it is made out of). Kolinsky is a luxury hair from a weasel. Do not rule out scanning art shops for soft brushes!

4.Give your brushes a gently tug through your hands before you buy. A good quality brush should not shed too many hairs and not leave any on your face when you apply cosmetics.

5.Foundation and concealer can often be applied with fingers too, since warmth helps blend the makeup into the skin. However, it if often more hygienic to use a brush ? especially if your base is in a pot!

6.Using a lip brush is essential when applying a strong colour! This is so the colour does not bleed into the lines around the mouth, and also looks neat. The finish is far smoother with a brush and you use less product.

7.Blusher brushes need to be soft and fluffy to apply a light and even colour. You can buy domed shaped brushes or angled to work with the cheekbone. Another fabulous brush for blush is the lesser heard of Japanese Kabuki ? the brush is woven into bamboo and is made of goat hair, which gives a lighter finish. Great when using a bright blush.

8.Eyeshadow brushes come in many different sizes and hairs. Try purchasing three essential brushes at least; a large domed brush for applying a base colour; a smaller shader brush for concentrated colour, and a fluffy blending brush for mixing colours. An angled synthetic brush or applying eyeliner is also a great buy.

9.Apart from brushes you can also consider using sponge applicators for a stronger finish. However they have a limited life compared to brushes since sponge is fragile and can only be washed so many times.

10.Look after your brushes! Always give your brushes a clean, whenever the colours start to look muddy. The more you use your brushes the more frequently you will need to wash them. You can use Isopropyl Alcohol, Baby Shampoo or specialist brush washing products to lengthen the life of your brushes.

Brand to try for brushes; MAC, Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Shu Uemura. Good affordable brands; The Body Shop, Ruby & Millie, Everyday Minerals.