Face Brushes

Face and Foundation Brush FAQs:

e.l.f. is proud of our face makeup brushes offering professional quality makeup brushes at drugstore prices. Whether you are looking for a foundation brush or highlighting brush we have it and everything in between. All vegan makeup brushes are cruelty free!.

With so many different face makeup tools to choose from, it can be a daunting task to figure out what brushes you actually need, and which products each one is used for in your makeup application. But don’t sweat it—we’re here to break down the five essential cruelty-free face brushes you need in your makeup bag, and how to use each one to your advantage:

• Flat foundation brush: This flat brush with dense bristles helps you apply and build coverage with your liquid foundation tinted moisturizer, especially around your face’s tight corners.
• Buffing foundation brush: This dome-shaped brush with fluffy bristles is a must for applying and blending liquid and cream products into an airbrushed finish.
• Blush brush: Opt for a blush or highlighter brush with a slanted shape to help you sculpt your cream, liquid, or powder blush, bronzers, or highlighters into a contoured look.
• Kabuki brush: With its dense, absorbent bristles and rounded shape, this unique compact makeup brush does its best work by buffing and blending powder, liquid, or cream foundations over large areas of the face (and is great to travel with).
• Concealer brush: A small brush with flat bristles, this MVP tool helps you mask small imperfections and blur out undereye circles with an expert touch using concealer.

Wondering how to apply your liquid foundation like an expert so it looks streak-free and gorgeous every time? Class is in session—and all it takes is four easy steps:

1. Choose your tool based on what kind of coverage you’re looking for. A flat foundation brush is your key player if you want more full coverage and to seamlessly apply liquid foundation around the hard-to-reach corners of your face. If you’re looking for a more sheer,natural finish, reach for your face makeup sponge.
2. Apply liquid foundation onto the back of your hand, then dip the tool into the product. Continue by dotting the makeup onto your face, focusing on areas that could use some extra coverage (e.g., chin, redness, blemishes).
3. Take your brush or sponge and gently dab foundation to blend it out, working from the center of your face outward for an even finish.
4. Seal in your stunning look with a setting spray or setting powder.

No, we don’t recommend that you wet the bristles of your foundation brush prior to your makeup application. There are a few good reasons for this:

• Water alters the shape of your bristles, which means they can’t do their job. For instance, a fluffy, round foundation brush will become dense and cone-shaped when wet, affecting its ability to smoothly buff out your look.
• Water causes bristles to absorb more product, which will leave you with a blotchy and uneven makeup application.
• Water on your brush dilutes your makeup, which can affect how you build your coverage.
• Water especially should not mix with powder foundation—it will become clumpy!

The only foundation application tool you need to wet prior to use is a beauty sponge. A damp makeup sponge allows you to blend out your look with sheer, dewy coverage.

A buffing foundation brush is a must-have tool for your makeup arsenal, helping you to seamlessly apply, buff, and blend your foundation or concealer into a soft-focus finish. Designed with a fluffy, slightly tapered brush head, it allows for even product distribution every time and helps you effortlessly blend product around the natural contours of the face for a blurred, selfie-ready look.

To use, dip your buffing brush into your favorite foundation and apply it using circular, buffing motions (start from the center of the face and work outward to maintain even coverage). To get the most mileage out of your vegan brushes, don’t forget to clean your bristles regularly with makeup brush shampoo.