The only makeup brushes you need, according to a makeup artist

A guide for minimalists.

Ever noticed how much better your makeup looks when it’s been done by a professional? Well, I’m here to tell you it’s 90 per cent down to the tools. Armed with the right makeup brushes (and yes, a bit of technique) I’m convinced that anyone – including you – can become a much better artiste, with not much effort.

“But Lara, my eyeshadow never blends like how you do it,” my friends tell me while we’re getting ready. I’m no longer shocked when I open up their makeup bags to find filthy, malting foundation brushes and old-school sponge eyeshadow applicators. Not even I could do a smokey eye working with one of those.

Want to snoop inside the beauty regimes of other creatives? Head here.

I get it, the makeup tool section at Mecca can be an overwhelming place, especially if you’re a novice. So let me break it down nice and easy for you, because all you really need is three to five, high-quality makeup brushes that do everything. Looked after properly, they’ll last you years.

One double-ended complexion brush

For applying liquid or cream foundation, tinted moisturiser or BB cream, you need a synthetic blending brush. Synthetic bristles are easier to clean and won’t absorb too much liquid. You want something that’s dense and a little fluffy rather than flat, and not too large for your face. Save space and money by getting a double-ended complexion brush – Hourglass makes my favourite with one end for foundation, the other for blending cream blush, contour or bronzer. Mecca Cosmetica also does an excellent (and affordable) double-ended complexion brush, with one smaller side for blending concealer.

One fluffy eyeshadow brush

A good quality, tapered blending brush will make all the difference to your eye looks! I prefer a natural fibre brush as it’s softer and more diffusing, but synthetic also works fine – something like the MAC 217 (a makeup artist staple), this one from Morphe or the Nars #22 Blending Brush.

One small eye smudge brush

If you ever wear eyeliner or shadow, this a must. A smudging brush needs to be small and densely-packed, so it can work product like powder shadow or kohl pencil into your lash-line, giving you a beautiful soft effect. My favourites are the small firm shader by Anastasia Beverly Hills or the Sephora classic smudge brush.

A small face powder brush

For setting powder, I prefer using a small brush over a traditional, big fluffy one. It helps you be more intentional about how much powder you’re using and where you actually need it (never all over your face!) and if you’re reading this thinking, ‘setting powder? don’t know her’ then I highly recommend buying a trial size – I guarantee this is why your makeup lasts longer when a pro does it. My favourite brush for setting powder is this Troy Surratt one but a great cheaper option is the 184 by MyKitCo.

An angled powder brush

You need this if you like using powder bronzer, contour or blusher. You want something fluffy and not too dense (natural fibres are nice) so your products will diffuse seamlessly over the skin. Getting a brush that’s slightly angled will also help guide you along the cheekbones – I really like the Nars Yachiyo Kabuki brush for this, a perfect all-rounder.

For more on makeup brushes, try this.