A flawless makeup application starts with the right tools; particularly, tools that are surprisingly pricey for some bristles on a stick. If you want to look perfect in your makeup, take a look at these essential implements that will set you back way more than common sense would predict. And they only do one tiny thing!
- Shiseido Foundation Brush (Sephora, $30)
This gently tapered foundation brush blends and buffs your foundation into your skin, resulting in a smooth, airbrushed finish. In order to justify the cost, instead of having days where you don’t wear makeup, just wear makeup all the time forever. It will pay for itself if you live to be 90 and never lose it. And remember: It’s only good for foundation, nothing else.
- Dior Backstage Fluid Foundation Brush (Nordstrom, $45)
This powder brush has a large, soft, round shape that uses less product and gives a more even, natural-looking finish. Brushes like this that use real hair, usually in the form of sable or pony fibers, get the best results. But with the makeup brush expenses you’re racking up, you should maybe think about buying a real pony, crafting brushes from its hair, and then having a pony you can ride while looking pretty. Again, this brush has but one function, so at least give the DIY route some thought before you commit.
- Sephora Pro Angled Brush #49 (Sephora, $32)
This bronzer brush is angled with no hard edges, which will give you precision without the hard lines. When applying, add a hint of bronzer to your ears, to look like a much more expensive, but still natural version of yourself. Don’t even try to use this brush anywhere else on your face, though—it’ll make you look weird and poor.
- Real Techniques Blush Brush (Ulta, $8.99)
This blush brush is airy and rounded, which allows you to apply the color slowly and gradually build it up. The price of this brush almost makes you feel like you’re saving money when you think about the cost of all the other brushes, but when you add them all up together, you’ll realize that you’re in a not-insignificant amount of debt. Oops! Hope you wear lots of blush, ‘cause that’s all this guy can do.
- The Original Beautyblender (Sephora, $20)
This makeup sponge is very versatile. It can be used to blend foundation after you apply it to your face to smooth any hard lines, to blend in your contour and highlight work, and to apply concealer. And for $20, you’d hope it was versatile enough to tell you you’re beautiful and that this purchase was worth it, too. But it’s too late—you realized after you bought it that you don’t even really contour or wear a lot of concealer, so this will get used for like 15 seconds a month, tops.
- Surratt Beauty Classique Shadow Brush Moyenne (Sephora, $50)
The most expensive brush yet for the smallest of purposes, this eye shadow brush is for applying all-over color, giving your lids a smooth finish and a more intense color payoff than other brushes would. This brush is so expensive it’ll have you saying, “But I don’t even wear eye shadow that often.” And for half of a hundred dollars, you’ll want to start! But you probably won’t follow through. Oh well!
These brushes will allow your flawless makeup to hide the state of financial worry you’re in after purchasing them. Enjoy!
