My Five Most Used Makeup Brushes

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I will admit, I do own a ridiculous amount of makeup brushes (who doesn’t?), most of them a result of impulse YouTube/Blog-enabled purchases. I will also admit some of them, after the first try, ended up at the back of the drawer completely forgotten never to be used again. Having said that there are an exceptional few that are very well loved and pretty much used to their full potential (some are on their last legs) and today I’ve picked my current top 5 most used brushes that I can’t be without.

I feel like I’ve been obsessed with Bobbi Brown brushes this year. Ever since I picked up the Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush I just got completely hooked and been adding one brush after another to my stash. The Full Coverage Face Brush is what I reach for over other brushes to do my foundation just because all the hype about it is true and it really does possess some sort of a magical power at blending foundation to give a flawless skin-like result. I also love the compactness of it and the short handle, which makes it very travel friendly.

When it comes to blending out concealer, however, nothing has yet managed to beat my trusty old Real Technique Setting Brush (although watch this space as I’m eyeing the MAC 188 brush as per Anna from ViviannaDoesMakeUp recommendation). I think when it comes to getting a seamless blend finish, a fluffy brush is always key and this setting brush by Real Technique is super fluffy, super soft and by far gives the most natural, seamless finish. Mine is very very well loved and is looking a bit worse for wear that I think I will be needing a replacement soon.

To set my under eye concealer I’ve been obsessed with the Bobbi Brown Eye Blender Brush. I’ve raved about this brush before in my previous post but basically it’s the perfect size to get around your eye areas not to mention it is super soft and fluffy, which is a real treat to use. I use it to dust a bit of powder to set my under eye concealer and also dust across my lids to prep for eyeshadow. Another great use I find for this brush is to apply highlighter on my cheekbones and underneath my eyebrows.

Speaking of eyeshadow, there’s only one brush that trumps them all in terms of eyeshadow application and I’m quite sure I speak for everyone here when I mention MAC 217. It’s pretty much a staple brush in every girls’ collection because it’s such a nifty little tool and so multifunctional. You can use it to apply a quick wash of eyeshadow all over your lids, or sweep it back and forth in your crease to define your eyes, or use it to blend all eye shadows together to finish off the look, or sometimes I even use it to blend my under eye concealer when I really want to be precise.

Finally the Bobbi Brown Sheer Powder Brush is another great multifunctional tool that I literally cannot be without. I absolutely love products like these because when I travel I don’t have to lug around 10 brushes if I can just have one brush that serves at least 4 purposes. The Sheer Powder Brush is amazing at 1) applying powder all over your face to set foundation, 2) applying blusher, 3) contouring, 4) applying highlighter. I know I will panic and run to the store to buy a replacement immediately if I ever find myself without this little life saver.

What are your personal favourite brushes that you swear by?

Secret Eye Brightener ft. Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder in Pale Yellow

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Dark circles and I, we just don’t get along these days. Serious lack of sleep and this fickle weather we’ve been having (sunny and warm yesterday, pouring down and freezing cold today) means dark circles have successfully staked a claim on my face of late. I use a pretty decent eye cream that does help most days (Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair cream), but there are times when dark circles are here to stay and you just need a very quick fix.

There are two products that have been my best friends in combating those stubborn dark circles and they go hand in hand. The first is Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder in Pale Yellow. If, like me, you’ve always wanted to try the Ben Nye Banana Powder but it’s just too difficult to get your hand on one, you’d really get along with this Bobbi Brown alternative. It’s basically the same yellow tone powder but to me it’s much more brightening and it really sets your concealer or whatever you have underneath throughout the day, not to mention it comes in a much more convenient packaging. If you’ve owned the popular Bobbi Brown duo concealer kit you would be familiar with this product already as it’s the powder that comes with to set the concealer. I ran out of the powder from the kit ages ago (since it’s quite small) and have always wanted to just get the powder on its own because it’s simply the best at brightening your under eye area and setting your concealer.

And to apply the powder I have found the perfect tool in Bobbi Brown Eye Blender Brush. It’s just the softest, gentlest brush to use around your eye area and it’s also the perfect size to dust around the corner of your eyes, underneath and all over your lids. I’m a big fan of Bobbi Brown brushes anyway and this is another one that does not disappoint.

What’s the product (s) you swear by to brighten and banish dark circles?