(Part 3) Best face makup brushes & tools according to redditors

[Real Techniques Ultimate Base Set] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G74I1PI/)
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butter LONDON LIPPY Liquid Lipstick
35% off in checkout comes to $11.70 USD (vs $18.00 USD with Prime). It looks like this applies to many butter London products as well. Look for the Prime Day banner on butter London products here.

L'Oreal Paris products 15% at checkout

Crest 3D White Luxe Whitestrips $29.50. Not a make up product, but I can't rock a bold lip with stained teeth and I drink a lot more red wine and coffee than I should. Apparently they can often be found cheaper on Amazon.

And what look is complete without an $11 Golden Grill?

Edit: Updating as I go.

Duuuude, I know good brushes are worth the investment, but you don't have to spend a crapload to get good quality. My two favorite brushes I own are a Wet'N'Wild crease/blending brush and a random gigantic fluffy powder brush I got from Amazon for <$10. I have nicer ones, but I reach for those two the most out of anything in my collection.

Hey- real life vampire here. Here's my vampire makeup advice, modified for a beginner.

The main thing you wanna focus on here is red, white and black. Make your hair darker, your skin more pale (contour(define)) your cheekbones and put red under your eyes.

Before you start, gather these things:

1. Clown White
   
2. Liquid foundation of some kind (match for your skin or not, doesn't really matter)
   
3. Eyeshadow (with red and black and white) or oil face paints (same colors)
   
4. Possibly a brown/black eyeliner pencil for your eyebrows
   
5. An ashy contour colour (just a brown, greyish color)
   > 6. A contour brush. Some people will insist that you need more brushes but honestly you can probably get away with using your hands.
   
   Tutorial:
   
   
6. Put on some Joy Division. Mix together some of the clown white and foundation and apply it to make your face seem more pale. Try to make it even, and the consistency shouldn't be too thick. If it is, add more foundation. Also, put this over your lips so that they look super pale.
   
7. Put white eyeshadow on your eyelid. Then, take just a bit of black eyeshadow and try to blend them to make grey. The eyeshadow should get darker towards the outer corners.
   
8. Take some of the red eyeshadow (on the tip of your finger) and dab it on the lower lash line (not your waterline. don't try to stick your finger in your eye!!!). Smear that downwards so that it blends in with the foundation you have on. Try to make it look natural, like your eyes are really red. After all, you are a vampire.
   
9. Use the ashy contour colour and the contour brush to make your cheeks look gaunt. This will help you look more dead. Also, contour your temples. Blend it in to the white so that the lines aren't harsh (you don't need to use that much product, and start in the hairline and work out.)
   
10. If you don't have a widow's peak, make one with your eyeshadow and contour. Use the brush for this, and just try to be subtle with it, moving in a swooping heart shape out from the point in the centre. You might need to pack more product in at the hairline.
    
11. If your eyebrows need to be defined, define them. You can make them look more evil/intense by adding a dark line along the bottom and then angling in like this. You don't have to do this though, and you could even white out your eyebrows (not all vamps have them after all.)
    
12. If you want to, do lines of black eyeliner on your eyelids. You can smudge this if you want, and I suggest only doing the top so that on the bottom the main focus is the red.
    
    If you want any more help/explanations don't hesitate to ask, I could send you more pictures if you want. Here is a picture of drag queen Aquaria with a vampy look: she might be a bit too shiny for what we're going for here, but the eye makeup is a good example (and the expression.)
    
    
    

I don't really love the Ecotools one, it's kind of scratchy. Instead, I would recommend the Real Techniques one. It's really soft and inexpensive- just depends if you're okay with it being angled.

I got a five pack on Amazon for like seven bucks! MISSHA Air in Puff [Blue 4P] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DPGKAD2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_bB8nDbA3RA69H

Yep! Just focused them on the scars and blended them out with the brush by bouncing it instead of using circular motions, which tends to move the product, therefore losing coverage.

And it's the round kabuki from this set - http://www.amazon.com/USpicy-Cosmetics-Brushes-6-Piece-Professional/dp/B00KYJPJ0S

Hope this helped :)

I hate the RT sponge. It's SO squishy and doesn't evenly spread my foundation. It just absorbs the foundation in like one blob in the middle. To me, there is a noticeable difference. BB is better (for my preferences, anyway.)

But I don't like spending money on the BB so I use the Beau Gachis sponge. I get 2 on Amazon for like 9 bucks. Closest BB dupe I've tried. I actually may like it better than the BB. https://www.amazon.com/Special-Promotions-Beau-G%C3%A2chis-Cosmetics/dp/B00P6NZ902/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1492023029&sr=8-1&keywords=beau+gachis

The most inexpensive angled contour brush I can think and love of is actually a drugstore brand. Wet n Wild has this one, and you can find it in stores anywhere from 0.99$ to 2$. It's not as densely packed as others might be, though it is very soft and I find it perfect for contouring under my cheekbones/jawline/the edges of my face.

Edit: It's also only 0.59$ on Amazon, which is a ridiculously good deal to me!

I'm not too good at posting links yet so
I hope this works ;u; I got them here !

Yeah no problem! Here’s some links to the ones I use, you mostly want to look for something with a dense amount of bristles so you get an even coverage.

real techniques face brush set (I’m not sure if can use amazon but this is a good shape to use)

And another place I get brushes is BH Cosmetics, they have some of the best affordable sets and they’re super soft. (And they’re having a sale!!) https://www.bhcosmetics.com/collections/brush-sets

We have very similar eyes! Down to the coloring and everything—seriously, we could be related. I LOVE the Norvina palette; so flattering. What shades did you use?

Regardless, I agree that this look isn't bringing the best out of your eyes. (Which are gorgeous, if I do say so myself, lol.) Personally, I don't like bringing dark or matte shadow more than 2/3 of the way into my eyes for an everyday look. If it goes past the iris looking straight on, it's not doing anything for you IMO. As for the outside edges, my favorite ever tip for figuring out the right shape and placement actually came from Safiya Nygard—she draws a straight line in concealer from the outer corner to the end of her brow, and that's where she puts her wing. And once she's done, she just blends the concealer away. GENIUS.

I also think that ending your eyeliner halfway through your eye like that, while impressive (dat tiny little line tho), looks a little unfinished. Just a little tightlining to continue the line to the corner would make a huge difference in this look.

I like my eye makeup to make my eyes look even wider, rounder, and more lifted than they already do. I actually wanted to demonstrate, so I did one eye of my go-to look with Norvina so you can see it. (Keep in mind that the pics are of a quick-n-dirty hack job, though. Blend it more than I did. Do as I say, not as I do.)

I generally do: Base all over the lid. (Keep your brush for this handy to buff out any weird-looking edges, especially along the wing edge.) Take Love and kind of stab it straight in the crease, starting on the outer 1/3 and blending to either side, out over orbital bone and into a wing-y shape. (I use a FLUFFY-ASS brush for this; mine is a Wet n Wild one I got on Amazon.) It will fluff up above the crease, which is good—that means the color will still be visible when your eye is open. So to keep there from being a weird dip in the color where my eye socket is, I almost want this color to make a straight line from the middle of my orbital bone out to my wing. Then, I take Incense on the fluffy end of the brush included in the palette and put it in basically the same place; it will just stay in a slightly tighter area because the brush is smaller. Then I use either Volatile or Passion (I used Passion in the pics above) on a denser brush (the other end of the one in the palette will work) and put it in the outer V. It really is a V-shape when I do it, because I don't want to weigh it down with too much color and get too smoky for daytime. I'll take that color a little bit along the lash line and a little bit into the crease, but only just up to about where I started applying color in the first step. Keep it more concentrated than any of the other colors. Then, I'll use one of the fluffier brushes to blend into the lighter colors. Now, up until this point, we've been ignoring the rest of the lid—don't worry! Just take a very small packing brush and brighten it alllll up. You can use any light shade, and it should hide anything weird going on on your lid. (Kind of like a cut crease without the annoying concealer part. Or any of the precision.) I used Dreamer in the pics, but you can use Base, your setting powder, your highlighter, whatever. If you have Subculture, I'm currently a HUGE fan of Cube, and I think it would look BOMB with this look. Finally, I think my eyes look a little naked without ANYTHING on the lower lash line, so I'll put just a little bit of Incense from the outer corner to about halfway in, and do mascara about that far as well.

I honestly wear this look without liner or with just a little tightlining (no wing) most of the time, because it defines my eyes enough and I feel like liner takes it to a more ~evening~ place. But if you want to add liner, I would take your wing out a little farther just so it's a little more present. The way it is now almost blends into your lashes. Don't be afraid to add a little more; you can almost draw a triangle and it will still come out with that nice swoop you have in your pictures because of the way the skin folds when you open your eyes. Just experiment! It's just eyeliner, it's not that serious. You'll wash it off at the end of the day and try again tomorrow, so it's not a huge deal if it's not perfect today.

But in the meantime, mascara (or falsies if you're feeling fancy) will hide most eye makeup sins. In my pics, I'm still wearing this morning's crusty mascara that's half flaked off, but if you put on a totally fresh coat, voila! Beautiful, every time.

I got these blotting sheets on Amazon and they're really great. They have a very pleasant scent too! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017OY5ZZE/

This Sponge has been my HG for over a year since I got it in an ipsy bag. The prices on amazon go up and down for a double pack. Last time I got the pack for $6.

They're super soft and feel great in adiirion to working really well.

No not a brand name. I have bought some that are designed to be make-up sponges. They are different sizes, so you can pick one to suit you, or trim them if necessary. There are also some sold specifically as sanitary sponges but they're exactly the same.

Constantia Beauty 12 Pack Natural Sea Silk Sponges 1.5"-3" Sizes for Cosmetic Use https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01GGT6G24/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_MA5YDnOZh5G85

I'm NC 10ish (probably more like NC5) and had the same problem until one day I was messing around with other brushes. I apply blush with a fan brush and find it gives a nice flush of color like natural blush.


i use the fan brush from this kit. It's only $8.99 for the fan brush and another brush. I'm in love with this brush. Ulta also carries them for $11.99.


Even a super pigmented blush goes on lightly if you brush the blush with a fan brush and tap it to make sure no excess is stuck.

The plastic package doesn't really work for me (the bottom of my beauty blender always felt a little damp), so I store mine in something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCQGR58/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_CMlzj9A2ptxTk

I'll post my method routine just in case it helps ya.

TIPS:

• You'll need a thick/theatre type concealer. Kryolan's TV Paint Stick is my weapon of choice although I hear Mehron's CreamBlend's are pretty much the same. Oil-based concealers (Dream Matte Mousse, for example) just don't work at all. They ain't kidding when they say that Covergurl doesn't cover boy.
  
• You'll need a sheer concealer. No if, and or but about it.
  
• You'll need disposable spoolies. When your eyebrows are as thick as mine or yours, you need a lot of glue to battle through in getting 'em covered, so if you have a non-disposable spoolie brush it's just going to end up caked in glue and gunk pretty quickly, thus meaning you'll loose spoolie brush surface pretty quickly.
  
• Do one eyebrow at a time. When I do two, I lose focus and one eyebrow always ends up far better than the other. It's a pain in the ass process and takes forever, but you want it done properly.
  
  
  PREP:
  
  
• As a rule of thumb, I wash my face thoroughly and then lightly moisturise, but either way, the space of about a thumb width all around the eyebrows should be clean and free from excess sebum/dirt/etc.
  
• Take a cotton pad soaked in an alcohol-based facial toner and really get in there with it using circular motions; you need to strip the oils from the root of the hair.
  
  STEPS:
  
  Remember: timing is everything.
  
  
• Take your glue and rub it through the eyebrows quite generously, circular motions along the shape of your eyebrow; make sure every hair is coated.
  
• Wait 10-15 seconds and let the glue get slightly tacky. Do not fan/hairdry your face. Let this part dry naturally.
  
• Take a spoolie and, whilst circling the spoolie into the hairs (which will drag glue off, don't worry), brush everything upwards and outwards.
  
• Immediately take your glue stick again and begin applying it from top to bottom in motions that mimic where your eyebrow hair now lays (upwards and outwards). Do this a twice along the whole length of the brow.
  
• Immediately take the back of a spoon or a makeup brush or something with a hard, flat surface and run over where the eyebrow hairs lay, again, mimicking where they lay (upwards and outwards). Do this once or twice, a fair but not extreme amount of pressure. I've found my best result comes from using a super chunky mascara tube.
  
  Tip: anytime you've done this, quickly wipe off the spoon/makeup brush/whatever using a baby wipe. It'll save you having to pry all the dried glue off.
  
  
• Fan the eyebrow (some people hairdrye but it's not my preference) until it has lost almost all of it's tackiness, but not all of it. Literally just a minuscule grip when you press a finger on top. This may vary depending on room temperature, how fast your fanning, the brand of glue, etc.
  
• Immediately stipple a thick amount of powder over the brows.
  
• Give it 10-15 seconds.
  
• Using the same brush, neatly brush excess powder off.
  
  You should now be able to see where the ridges where the brows aren't necessarily laying as flat as they could be / are laid atop another hair and giving a ridge.
  
  
• Take the glue stick and, again, run it over where your eyebrow hairs now lay in an upwards and outwards motion. Do this over the length of the brow maybe 2-3 times.
  
• Fan your eyebrows until the glue is again almost completely without any tackiness.
  
• Immediately stipple a thick amount of powder over the brows.
  
• Give it 10-15 seconds.
  
• Using the same brush, neatly brush excess powder off.
  
  Repeat the above once more. You should now have three layers of glue over the eyebrow. There's a chance you may need a forth layer, but as a rule, three is sufficient as you don't want to build outwards too much.
  
  
• Without dragging too much, apply your concealer, generously, but not too much, over the brow.
  
• Blend using a sponge in circular motions. In my experience, nothing comes close to the texture created by Real Techniques' Miracle Complexion Sponge.
  
• Take a thick layer of orange eyeshadow and stipple over the blue undertone of your eyebrow showing through.
  
• Again, without dragging too much, apply concealer in generous amounts, but without going crazy.
  
• Again, blend using a sponge in circular motions.
  
• Set using a generous amount of powder, then brush off the excess.
  
  Boom.
  
  Let me know how you get on!

I bought these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DF90SAE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I saw that same video and made my custom sunscreen cushion. They are the perfect size! I also would like to suggest that you get something similar to my purchase: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1NOI1V/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But these sponges are currently unavailable. I didn't want to bother with cleaning the air puff.

They fit perfectly into my loreal lumi cushion.

Thanks! And I just realized when I read ecotool that I actually have ecotool brushes not RT. I have this set and this set


I'm guessing the one you use is this brush (says for bronzer) or [this brush] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9BUU73/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_TqNuzbWE8SCZF). Do either look familiar?

I bought this cute holder for my sponge on
Amazon! Right now I'm using the real techniques sponge, which I really like!



Amazon link

The fabric-y kind that come in compacts. :) I got a set of Missha air puffs from Amazon.

I like these because they don't absorb too much sunscreen and last for months. I just threw out the first one after 4 months of daily use, because it was starting to fall apart from being washed several times a week.

Powder powder powder. Get a loose powder like the Laura Mercier one and a short and kinda stiff kabuki brush. Then after you've done your makeup, apply a ton of powder on top just placing it. If you don't look craaazy, you're not doing it right. Let it "bake" i.e. sit there on your face for a few minutes. Then take the kabuki and in small small circular motions, buff the powder in. Dust any excess off at the end with a loose brush. Bam, walking instagram filter in 90+ degree weather.

Bring oil plotting film in those cute roles and do it on the hour. You'll only take the powder off your face so the makeup stays.

I don't do water proof mascara, stuff takes my lashes with it when I take it off. I would just wear false lashes and use and eyelash curler to blend it all.

Compact mirror or mirror phone case to check your appearance.

Deodorant for daaaaaaaaaaaays.

Light perfume please, because the heat makes the stuff diffuse and carry through the air like crazy. I love perfume, but I've almost fainted in a small space before because of that kinda thing.

Dress cool in some sleeveless cotton pieces and bring a spray bottle of ice water or if you want to be fancy some refrigerated evian mist, spray from the neck down to keep yourself cool. Water has a really low specific heat meaning it leaches heat from anything it's in contact with to heat up and evaporate.

So something like this would be ok? I know nothing about makeup brushes and which ones have softer bristles lol.

I'll be stalking this thread for more ideas - thanks for hosting!!

I'd say my number 1 item under $5 is NYX Butter Lip Gloss in Raspberry Tart because the color is gorgeous and the formula is better for my busy mornings at work.

The second most favorable item would be these lashes because falsies are the one thing I've yet to master and I could use all the practice!

The 3rd item would be this blending sponge because I've yet to try one.

My skin type is dry. It's not dehydrated any longer. I hope others can help you out more, because my skin type has never been oily other than when I was like, 15. I used to have combo skin after starting 0.1% differin and some spots got quite oily and would break my makeup up and I had to use oil absorbing sheets (if anyone is looking for them, I like the paper like ones on amazon rather than the plastic ones like Clean & Clear. Because the C&C ones take my makeup off too!! The paper ones don't do that).

My skin type has always been combo, but it went from combo > dehydrated (cuz I f'd up) > dry > combo again after differin > dry again after starting tret

Edit: I heard light, hydrating, watery layers with maybe a gel or gel-cream are helpful for those with oily skin.

purple durple makeup sponge thing

These look good to me:

https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Sea-Silk-Sponges-12pk/dp/B01GGT6G24

I just bought mine at the pharmacy (sold as cosmetic applicators). They were too big so I trimmed them to the right size with normal scissors. For me, the size of a golf ball is the right size, but it probably depends on the woman's body.

brushes
brushes are the way to go
more and more brushes
wedges
beauty blender
brush
brush

honestly though go to /r/MakeupAddiction and ask them what drug store products they would recommend. its better to shop in store for this kind of thing in my opinion

Not familiar with that brand, but there are more well known brands in that price range that would be a great gift.

I'd get:

this real techniques set

Along with this one

And maybe add their version of the beauty blender here

**I linked from Amazon UK since I'm assuming that's where you are. You can also get them in Superdrug.

Thanks for doing this contest! TeaCup

If I could only bring 3 items with me on a vacation it would definitely be water-proof mascara, lip balm and tinted moisturizer!

Although I've never used something like this before, I've heard great things and want to try it!

I have a Real Techniques retractable Kabuki brush (link below) which is great for throwing in my bag to use with powder on the go. I use the Soap and Glory One Heck of A Blot Powder on the go for touch ups, with this brush!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Eye-Brushes/Real-Techniques-PP1418-Retractable-Kabuki/B00GXFZLGO/ref=pd_sim_194_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2QXMFP3Z9XNYYV0WM52N

Could you link me to yours? The only two sets I saw were these:

http://amzn.com/B00KB58E70

http://amzn.com/B00KYJPJ0S

;0

$1.29 with free shipping and handling.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L0R2TY2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3HFAT0N482Y8H&coliid=I1EPDATZH7O5FG

and there no need to look for it.

Eyelid primer is always great! Always an EoS lip balm! Makeup brush Makeup blotters Elf makeup palette!

Here is an item I would love that is only $1, free shipping!

Happy labor day, ya'll ~~~

Pass the dutchie on the left hand side
Edit: haha sorry
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RVSNO02/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3EQ57C3PSV8S6&coliid=I2IOR936P95K17

Get a beauty blender!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even better than a face brush!!!!!!!! Seriously life changing & looks flawless

All you have to do is wet it and ring it out before you use it
Clean it before each use - I just have a castile bar soap it's cheap

I love this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HLTNE82/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This one is super cheap I've used before when I was skeptical and works fine: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RVSNO02/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

See, I really like those because I always thought the pink/black combination looks classy! That being said, my inner child would never forgive me if I did choose those instead of magical, beautiful dinos.

Or pandas?😍 http://www.amazon.com/momoup-Makeup-Blotting-Papers-Absorbing/dp/B017VELMBI Although, it's the same problem as with normal papers. No cushion, or mirror thumbs down. But cute concept! haha

More (albeit only slightly discounted) items:

Real Techniques Cruelty Free Mini MC Sponges, (Pack of 4) $5 vs $7.50 retail.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01N1A00VH/ref=sr_1_65_olp?m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&s=warehouse-deals&ie=UTF8&qid=1522086265&sr=1-65&condition=used

Ecotools Cruelty Free and Eco Friendly Precision Blush $3 vs $4.50

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01BSBTI1Q/ref=sr_1_43_olp?m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&s=warehouse-deals&ie=UTF8&qid=1522086237&sr=1-43&condition=used

Revlon PhotoReady Primer, Shadow + Sparkle, Metropolitan $5 vs $8

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B009QZILFQ/ref=sr_1_113_olp?m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&s=warehouse-deals&ie=UTF8&qid=1522086422&sr=1-113&condition=used

Some generic brushes here - not sure about quality for $6. https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B017LR4848/ref=sr_1_204_olp?m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&s=warehouse-deals&ie=UTF8&qid=1522086650&sr=1-204&condition=used

EcoTools Holiday Soft Smokey Eye Set $6 vs $10? https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B075R5L1BT/ref=sr_1_494_olp?m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&s=warehouse-deals&ie=UTF8&qid=1522087016&sr=1-494&condition=used

PARWIN PRO 1 Inch Dual Voltage Flat Iron with Tourmaline Ceramic Plate $11 vs $35 (not great reviews though) https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06XFPFG9T/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all

ETERNITY Professional Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron Hair Straightener for All Hair Types,1 Inch Floating Plate $11 (no reviews, not sure what retail is for this) https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B073Z8Y7QX/ref=sr_1_773_olp?m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&s=warehouse-deals&ie=UTF8&qid=1522087385&sr=1-773&condition=used

Makeup Brush Cleaner Kit in Seconds to Clean Makeup Brushes and Dry in 360 Rotation with 8 Rubber Collars for All Makeup Brushes Cleaning (just one of those generic brush cleaner things) $12 (seems like a good way to try it out) https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B075LKF775/ref=sr_1_811_olp?m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&s=warehouse-deals&ie=UTF8&qid=1522087437&sr=1-811&condition=used

Winsor & Newton Artisan Brush, Size 12, Flat $3 vs $13 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001AC8RLQ/ref=sr_1_833_olp?m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&s=warehouse-deals&ie=UTF8&qid=1522087455&sr=1-833&condition=used

Kess InHouse Everything Bag, Tapered Pouch, Heidi Jennings "Shadows" Dark Circles, 8.5 x 4 Inches (HJ1011AEP03) $3 (inexpensive makeup bag?) https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00X87EEHW/ref=dp_olp_used_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=used&m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ