How to build your makeup kit: Eyes

Nicky Minaj: wearing bold eyeshadow.

As a makeup artist, I can definately tell you that apart from in the wrist it's the tools that I use and most important of them all are my Brushes. These enables me to achieve great results. 
I could go ahead and write a long and comprehensive article but for the novice/women with no aspirations of becoming a professional makeup artist this article is a guideline on how to make the most of your cosmetic brushes and the basic brushes to get. Here's hoping this will abate any confusion ;). 

So let's start with the eyes.

Becoming familiar with the art of makeup application and being equipped with the best makeup products available in the market; will make it easier for your application to look fabulous. Your eyeshadow brush will help in blending your eye shadow correctly and also give an even and smooth look. There are many types of eye shader brushes available and I'm going to break down the 4 main brushes that should reside in your kit.

Flat Shading Brush: This is a flat dense brush used to sweep eyeshadow across the lid. Although its primary purpose is to pack on eyeshadow, it could also be used to blend, highlight, smudge and used to apply makeup on the lower lash line and in the crease.
There are 2 types of brushes synthetic and animal hair. Some high end brands make their individual brushes from goat-hair, so this will make them appear  super soft and densely packed But this particular brush needs to be stiff enough so it is able to pick up color and pigments.

Jennifer Hudson: wearing pigmented eyeshadow 

Rihanna: lower lashline rimmed with red eyeshadow

 

Stiff Dome Brush: This brush is perfect for blending or shading and is also great for creamy eyeshadows. Perfect in creating the smoky eye, feathering in darker eyeshadows and applying more color to the crease. This brush makes it so much easier to blend. I guarantee you'll have a love/love relationship with this one.

Keri Hilson: wearing Smoky Eyes

Katy Perry: wearing a pastel look

Soft Dome Brush

This brush is really very similiar to the stiff dome brush only softer. It allows a more controlled eyeshadow application and is ideal to create a much softer blended look. Ideal for blending shadow under the brow and applying a softer amount of color in the crease. 

Tip: Can also be used to apply powder under the eyes to prevent creasing throughout the day.

Mary J. Blige: wearing soft bronze toned eyeshadow  

Eva Pigford: wearing neutral eyeshadow

Pencil Brush: This too can be used to create shadow on the outer edge of the eyes and also to create a very defined crease. Can also be used to smudge eyeshadow under the lower lashline. The smaller tip allows for more precise lines and can smoothen out eyeliners that looks to harsh. 

Nicole Ritchie: grey cat eyes with heavy wing tip eyeliner

Go flaunt your look confidently which I'm sure you are already doing ;).

xxo
G