The Ultimate Makeup Brush Guide
Whether you apply makeup every day or only on special occasions, a trusty set of makeup brushes should always be on hand. Beauty enthusiasts agree a flawless makeup application starts with the right tools, and when it comes to achieving a pro-level finish, brushes are the name of the game. Trust me when I say that I have used so many brushes over the years and I have finally found the holy grail of brush kits. With these brush kits, I have you covered from start to finish.
Makeup brushes are available in a range of sizes, densities, and stiffness. They can be used for everything from even foundation coverage across the entire face to precision eyeliner, and to apply any type of product (liquid and powder). Each makeup brush can have multiple uses and can be confusing about which brush is best for each task. This guide was created to help you choose the right brush for each step of your makeup routine.
Motives Essential Brush Kits
BRISTLES
Designed with elegant, two-tone black and dark brown 100% vegan bristles. Soft, flexible and created for optimal performance for beginners or pros.
HANDLE
Created with comfort in mind, our sleek matte black handles fit perfectly in the hand for easy application and expert execution. Thoughtfully made from 20% post-consumer recycled material.
CASE
Packaged in a durable, frosted-black plastic container that is great for travel and for storing your brushes. The hard shell keeps brushes safe and clean. Set the cup on your vanity or makeup table; both the top and bottom become containers to hold your favorite brushes, allowing easy access while applying makeup.
MOTIVES ESSENTIAL COMPLEXION 4-PIECE BRUSH SET
Sweep on a flawless complexion with the Motives® Essential Complexion 4-Piece Brush Set. This tag team of brushes is incredibly plush, soft and flexible with just the right amount of density for a smooth, luxurious application of liquid, cream and powder formulations. Whether you are a beginner or pro, these four luxe brushes will help you take your artistry and complexion to the next level. This set includes a medium-sized powder brush; angled, buffing foundation brush; tapered highlighter brush; and angled concealer brush.
The Motives Essential Complexion 4-piece Brush Set includes all the essential makeup brushes to create a flawless, full-faced look.
POWDER BRUSH
Gripping gently toward the bottom of the handle, lightly sweep on powders, blushes and bronzers. This medium-sized, rounded powder brush gives you a gentle application and is perfect for creating buildable coverage.
PRO TIP:
After dipping brush in powder, hold brush with the bristle side up and tap on a firm surface. The powder will go deeper into the bristles and you’ll have less fallout. This brush is also great for applying bronzer.
FOUNDATION BRUSH
This angled foundation brush will allow you to apply liquid formulas like a dream. With the perfect amount of softness and density, this brush will help pick up, place and evenly distribute product to all contours of the face.
PRO TIP:
Less is more. Start with less foundation than you are used to because this brush blends like a dream. For application, dot, sweep out and stipple to blend. Start by dotting foundation on forehead, nose, chin and cheeks. Sweep out starting at the center, working your way out to the hairline and down into the neck using a stippling motion to blend out evenly.
HIGHLIGHTER BRUSH
Get your glow on with just a few sweeps when using this incredibly lush brush featuring a tapered head that allows you to apply as much or as little product at a time as you would like.
PRO TIP:
Brushes have multiple uses, and this brush is excellent for contour, blush and even setting your under-eye concealer with powder. Don’t forget to clean your brush in between applications.
CONCEALER BRUSH
Applying concealer just got more exciting with this innovative, angled, fan-like concealer brush. With a 40° angle cut ferrule, this brush has the perfect shape and density to blend and reach in the smallest areas and contours of the face.
PRO TIP:
Spray your brush with Motives 10 Years Younger Makeup Setting Spray prior to blending out concealer. This will help set your concealer for less creasing and a longer wear. This brush is just the right size
to contour and blend out the nose area. It works as a great eraser to remove eye shadow fallout and mascara mishaps.
THE MOTIVES ESSENTIAL EYE 7-PIECE BRUSH SET
Design eye-catching looks with the Motives® Essential Eye 7-Piece Brush Set. This collection of brushes was expertly designed to help you achieve stunning eye looks, no matter how simple or extreme the look. Incredibly plush, soft and flexible with just the right amount of density for seamless and precise application, set your look up for success with this luxurious eye brush set.
The Motives Essential Eye 7-piece Brush Set includes all the essential makeup brushes to help you achieve stunning eye looks, no matter how simple or extreme.
ANGLED EYELINER BRUSH
Create straight, sleek lines with powder or gels with this flat, angled eyeliner brush. Lines and shapes with ease.
PRO TIP:
Spray your brush with Motives 10 Years Younger Makeup Setting Spray and dip in your favorite eye shadow for a long-lasting eyeliner. If you have short bottom lashes, load your brush with mascara and paint your lashes.
CREASE BRUSH
Add detail and dimension to the eye and crease with this small smudge crease brush.
PRO TIP:
This shade is generally a darker matte eye shadow color. Try keeping your eye open when applying eye shadow so you can create the perfect crease shape.
DETAIL BRUSH
Use this flat, tapered brush to add detail or clean up lines. It works great with cream products.
PRO TIP:
The Detail Brush works great for a cut crease, to tightline and also doubles as a lip brush.
PETITE SMUDGE BRUSH
This petite brush comes in handy when lining the bottom lash line with your favorite shadow or smudging out liner for a sultry, smokey look. It’s also a great tool for adding a pop of highlighter to the inner corner of the eye.
PRO TIP:
You can also use it as a lip liner brush.
BLENDING BRUSH
Blend effortless with this fluffy blending brush. It’s the secret weapon for creating seamless eye looks that transition flawlessly.
PRO TIP:
When in doubt, blend it out. The closer you hold your blending brush to the bristles, the more concentrated the application may be. The farther back you hold your brush, the more blended your eye shadow will look.
SHADOW BRUSH
Apply eye shadow to the lid with this soft,
yet dense, paddle-style brush. The brush design helps to pack on shadow for gorgeous, buildable color.
PRO TIP:
To apply product closer
to your lashes, hold brush upside down and press into lash line. Using a patting motion will pack the biggest punch of color.
EYEBROW/SPOOLIE
Tame and groom brows with the spoolie and fill in brows with powders or pomades with the alternate angled brush side. This brush is designed with stiff bristles to help application and to create texture and hair-like strokes in the brow.
PRO TIP:
This brush pairs perfectly with the Motives® Essential Brow Kit. In a pinch, you can use the Spoolie to tame flyaways at your hairline.
PERSONAL BRUSH CARE TIPS
If you care for your brushes properly, they will last for years. Clean your brushes regularly. When using liquid or cream products, it is ideal to clean those brushes daily. We recommend cleaning additional brushes at least once a week for best results.
1. Squeeze a few drops of brush cleaner, gentle soap or facial cleanser into the palm of your hand.
2. Dampen BRISTLES ONLY with warm water. Avoid wetting the handle, as water can break down the glue and loosen bristles over time.
3. Swirl your brushes in your hand, gently massaging the cleanser through the bristles to loosen any built-up makeup. Avoiding the handle, rinse brush heads with water until it runs clear and no makeup or soap is left.
4. Squeeze out excess water, and reshape bristles if needed. Before laying to dry, roll up a small towel and place brushes on an angle with bristles down so water can be drawn out.
Want your own copy of a printable makeup brush guide? You can get a complimentary guide delivered right to your email, just fill in your information below and check your inbox!
