18 Comments

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Seraphine Avatar

YES!!!! Not only are they absolutely necessary, but they have to be good brushes. I started out with cheap ones years ago, but have learned how much of a difference a good brush makes. I have a pretty good collection now, with backups so there’s always a clean one ready.

I use brushes for my powder eyeshadows, eyebrow powder, and to blend out eyeliner. I use brushes for my foundation, blush, highlighter, and powder.

My favorite eye and face brushes are by Sigma and Sephora, though I still love one inexpensive brush by e.l.f. that I often use for blush (even though I don’t think it’s really a blush brush).

Coco Avatar

Most days yes, though recently I’ve tried using all cream products and a beauty sponge + my fingers for blending, and that was fun too and gave a really pretty, natural look!

Lulle Avatar

Yes, absolutely necessary. And the better the brushes, the easier the application of products for seamless result. There are some good brushes at affordable prices so you don’t have to break the bank, but you have to pick them well.
I started doing my makeup with cheap and mediocre brushes, or even using the applicators that come with products. When I switched to better brushes, the difference in my makeup was amazing. Skills can only go so far if you don’t have good tools!

Agona Avatar

Yes. I tried to use bareMinerals Complexion Rescue this morning with just my fingers, and although it’s essentially a tinted moisturizer, I thought it went on too thick. I ended up using a stippling brush to spread it out more evenly. …although I did blend with my fingers. Stippling brushes tend to make streaks, I dunno.

Kubbymo Avatar

Yes. I think you can certainly get by without them for the face if you’re patient, but not for the eyes or non-face like brows.

I think you need a good powder brush, brow brush, and bronzing/blusher brush for sure. If you wear BB cream, you may not need a foundation brush.

Deborah S. Avatar

Absolutely necessary. I have quite a few cheap brushes and have just recently started investing in better brushes. I love Wayne Goss brushes as well as Hakuhodo brushes. I also use the foam applicators that come with some eye shadow palettes. They are particularly good for tapping on concealer when doing pin point concealing and also for packing on lid color. They can be dampened and used so very versatile.

Nicole D Avatar

For me yes, quality brushes are absolutely necessary for eye makeup, blush, highlighter and powder application. However, I do not use brushes for applying liquid foundations or bb/cc creams as I was advised to avoid them by my dermatologist, so I’m using a Beauty Blender. Same when applying concealer around the eyes; I use my fingertips and finish with a mini BB.

MacKenzie G. Avatar

Yes, but only for eyeshadow, brows, and powder blush/bronzer/contour/highlight. But, since I’ve been using mostly cream products the last few months I haven’t gotten much use out of my face brushes because I’ll do pretty much my whole face with a sponge. I also usually apply shimmery/metallic lid colors with my finger because I feel it gives me better payoff.

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