My Favorite Makeup Brushes

hey guys (: so today i'm posting about my favorite/must have makeup brushes (i figured it'll go along with the last post). i'll list them, describe them and what i like to use them for, how much they cost and where you can get them. be sure to read my last post, how to properly clean your makeup brushes.
thanks for reading. x

My Favorite Makeup Brushes

Foundation:

- Essence Of Beauty Foundation Brush
about $10 @ the drugstore http://tiny.cc/7ui4cw
* this is one of the best flat, painter-style foundation brushes i've used. the bristles are soft and densely packed, and to my surprise, not streaky. it has held up well in the past year or so i've had it -- i haven't noticed any shedding or loosening. it's larger than the average brush of the same style, so it makes application easier and more efficient.

- Sigma Round Top Kabuki Brush F82
$16 on sigma's website http://tiny.cc/roundtopkabuki
* all of sigma's sigmax brushes are amazing -- like rubbing velvet across your skin. this one especially, is densely packed and perfectly shaped and designed for buffing all kinds of foundation from powder to liquid to cream right into your skin for a flawless finish. love it.

- Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush F80
$16 on sigma's website http://tiny.cc/flattopkabukibrush
* as i just mentioned, i really like the sigmax brushes. the only difference i notice between this brush and the previous one is that this one gives a more porcelein (fake) finish while the last one is more "my skin by better." love them both.

- The Beauty Blender
about $20 on Amazon http://tiny.cc/amazonbb
* this is definetely the fanciest makeup sponge i've ever come across, and let me tell you, it makes makeup application a dream. when it's damp, it's so squishy and soft and leaves behind that perfectly smooth airbrushed finish. (that was a little kinky at first, huh?)

- Your Fingers!
$free on Your Hands http://tiny.cc/bestmakeuptool
* your fingers can truly be your best friend when it comes to foundation application. they help to warm up product and smooth it over your skin for a naturally flawless, well blended look.

Concealer:

- Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush
$18 @ Ulta http://tiny.cc/deluxecreasebrush
* this brush is a fluffy synthetic brush, that is super gentle and does a great job at thoroughly blending liquid/cream concealers under the eyes.

- Sigma Precision Round Brush P82
$14 on sigma's website http://tiny.cc/precisionroundconcealer
* this brush is short, stiff, and dense, which makes it great for really hiding and blemishes/scarring or any sort of hyperpigmentation you may have.

- Sigma Precision Angled P84
$14 on sigma's website http://tiny.cc/angledconcealer
* this brush is nice for buffing in powder under the eyes. the shape fits perfectly.

Powder:

- Posh Kabuki Brush
$40 on their website http://tiny.cc/poshkabuki but i got mine for $13 here http://tiny.cc/beststoreever
* this brush is fan-freaking-tastic for powder. it's HUGE! super dense and super soft, it feels amazing and gives equally great coverage. loooove it.

- E.l.f. Powder Brush
$3 @ Target http://tiny.cc/elfpowder
* this is the perfect brush who wants extra coverage out of powder. it's really good at packing and blending into the skin. a lot of people really like this brush for liquid foundation, too.

- BareMinerals Full Flawless Face Brush
$28 on their website http://tiny.cc/flawlessfacebrush
* this is one of the better natural haired powder brushes i've used. i must say though, i'm not a huge fan of this brush for what it's designed to do -- apply baremin foundation. i like it for setting powder. it's soft and blends powder over the skin super smoothly.

- Real Techniques Powder Brush
$10 @ Ulta http://tiny.cc/realpowderbrush
* this is one of the first "real" powder brushes i had. i got it when i first started with makeup, and i've loved it since. it's synthetic, so it's super soft and easy to clean/wash. it's a nice size and is one of the most efficient brushes i've tried.

Blush & Bronzer & Highlighter:

- Real Techniques Blush Brush
$9 @ Ulta http://tiny.cc/realblushbrush
* this brush is so soft and fluffy, and is shaped perfectly for applying brush. it makes the process smooth and effortless. if you want a soft contour, it's shaped to do that, too!

- Sigma Large Angled Contour F40 Brush
$14 on sigma's website http://tiny.cc/sigmaf40angled
* this brush isn't super dense, but it's very soft and has a nice shape, good for a light, feathery blush or bronzer application or contour. Great for a light dusting of highlight on the cheekbones.

- BareMinerals Flawless Face Brush
$22 on their website http://tiny.cc/bareminflawlessface
* this brush is dense but not stiff -- it's a little flimsy. nice for a well blended application of blush or bronzer, because the shape is adjustable. hold it one way for blush, another for contouring. great!

Eyeshadow:

i have so many lovable eyeshadow brushes that serve so many different purposes, but i decided to chop it down to my favorite few.. ;p

- Sigma Eye Shading E55 Brush
$9 on their website http://tiny.cc/shaderbrush
* this brush is perfect for packing color onto the lid and applying a highlight. you might even be able to pull off using it to apply your crease color, too. definetely my favorite eyeshadow brush.

- Sigma Large Fluff E50 Brush
$11 on sigma's website http://tiny.cc/largefluff
* this brush is practically a jumbo shader brush, great for applying highlight or a wash of color all over.

- Posh Crease Brush Duo
$14 on their website http://tiny.cc/poshcrease, i got mine for $8 here http://tiny.cc/harmonposhbrush
* the larger of these brushes is great for applying eyeshadow into the crease and on the outer corner of the eye. the smalled one is excellent for smudding a shadow or liner on the lower lashline, as well as highlight the tear duct area. great brushes.

- Sonia Kashuk Multipurpose Brush
$11 @ target http://tiny.cc/skcrease
* this brush is great for blending crease and transition colors. it's also nice for a light dusting on the lid, or a light wash as a highlight. sometimes i use it for powdering under my eyes, too. i have like 3 of these brushes!

- Sonia Kashuk Bent Eyeliner Brush
$6 @ target http://tiny.cc/sklinerbrush
* this brush is the perfect shape, size, density, etc., for applying gel/cream liner to the lashline. i couldn't do it at all until i got this brush.. lol

thanks for reading everybody, i hope you enjoyed.
as always, comments/questions are always welcome.

thank you again,

xx michele

Multipurpose Brushes:

- Real Techniques Stippling Brush
$10 @ Ulta http://tiny.cc/realstipplingbrush
* this is one of my favorite multipurpose brushes. it's perfect for precise bronzer, blush, or highlighter application, and great for buffing foundation and powder into the skin. love it.