So This Is the Secret Behind Flawless Makeup (Why Didn’t I Realize This Sooner?)
Photo by: Martí Sans
I admit, I’m somewhat new to the world of makeup. I’ve been going to Sephora for many years, likely since I was a teenager, but my main concern was skincare. I glanced quickly at the makeup aisles, swatched eyeshadows occasionally on my hand, but my money was usually reserved for whatever kept blemishes at bay. That is until I realized how fun makeup can be — and how much it underscores the confidence I feel walking out the door.
I should say that I’ve never gone without the basics, I just didn’t prioritize them that much. If I was headed to an event, then foundation and concealer was a given, but I applied them without considering that there’s a learning curve to it all. To make makeup look its best, you have to be intentional about how it’s applied to your face. As it turns out, the tools of the job are the secret to success.
Using fingers sure is handy (pun intended), and sometimes there’s no replacing how well the tip of an index finger can get into a face’s angles. Beauty blenders are fine, but they soak up so much liquid and tend to get gross too fast. And budget tools work, but also, they fall apart easily. Once I discovered that investing in a few quality brushes would last longer than their cheaper counterparts, stay cleaner than a glorified sponge, and actually give me that no-makeup, makeup look I was after, it was almost like I unlocked the real secret of Sephora. (Maybe the tweens who’ve currently taken it over know this already.)
I’ve been slowly updating my brushes to splurge-worthy ones, and these three are the top picks I have for the products I use daily: foundation, concealer, and blush. Read on to take a look!
P.S. As far as the learning curve goes, I’ve been loving the YouTube videos Allana Davison shares! Let me know who else to watch in the comments.
I reach for this stubby lil’ Merit foundation brush daily, since it swoops on my shade of choice with soft precision and doesn’t soak up too much product. Bonus? It’ll pack easily when I’m on the move.
When I apply a peachy-pink powder to my cheeks using this Nars blush brush, it’s almost like I’m using the same technique I learned in all of two watercolor classes — a slight swishing of pigment goes a long way in giving me that coveted sun-kissed look. Maybe I should take watercolor classes again.
This Hourglass concealer brush does what my fingers can’t: It blends the product into my skin flawlessly, without any annoying creases — even hours later.
Photos of the brushes are courtesy of Sephora. If you buy something using these links, I may earn an affiliate commission. It doesn’t cost you anything, and thank you for supporting my small business!
