Selecting a foundation brush for mineral makeup is an important task. As essential as it is to find the right foundation, it’s just as important to choose the right application tools. Using the right brush to apply makeup makes a big difference in how your mineral foundation looks on your skin. Your application tool affects coverage and can add texture to the finish of your makeup, so you want to choose a tool that will work with your formula to give you even coverage and a flawless finish.
To get the biggest bang for your buck, invest in high-quality brushes because they will last longer. By purchasing inexpensive, poor quality brushes, you’ll find yourself needing to replace them more often. Properly taking care of a well-made brush will make it last several years!
Foundation Brush Shape
- Kabuki Brushes – Kabuki brushes combine a rounded shape with full bristles for intense color payoff.
- Flat-top Kabuki Brushes – Flat top brushes will give you the most coverage because the flat surface lays against your skin, transferring more product.
- Flat Brushes – Instead of buffing in circular motions, with a thin, flat foundation brush you paint the product onto your face, starting at the center and blending outwards. You can achieve sheer to full coverage with a flat foundation brush.
- Dome Shaped Brushes – Domed brushes give you the ability to be more precise with applying your makeup. The amount of precision you will get depends on the density of the bristles, or in other words, how tightly they are packed. A full, dense brush will deposit more, while a medium density can create a more natural look and lean toward medium coverage. This rounded shape works well for finishing powder as well as foundation.
Natural Hair vs. Synthetic Bristles
Natural hair brushes were once the reliable choice for mineral powder foundation because of how well the powder clung to the brush. However, the technology behind synthetic brushes has drastically improved in recent history, influencing us to redesign our entire brush category to feature all synthetic brushes. These brushes have increased softness which aids in feel and application, as well as the ability to lightly grip product like powders and gently distribute over the skin. Another added benefit of synthetic brushes is that they do not pose the same allergy concerns as natural brushes.
Favorite Foundation Brushes for Mineral Makeup
- 101 Pro Kabuki Brush – The full head and dense, synthetic hairs make the Kabuki brush perfect for medium to full coverage powder foundation application or all-over blending.
- 103 Tapered Setting Powder Brush – Created for loose powder, the Tapered Setting Powder Brush creates a natural finish and coverage. The pointed, tulip shape tip makes it easier to get into smaller areas, like the under eyes and around the nose. This brush is amazingly soft and feels silky on your skin. Swirl it into your loose powder foundation and tap off the excess before sweeping the product onto the skin.
- 104 Dual Fiber Face Brush – Designed for pressed powder, this brush head is full but not as dense as the Dual Foundation/Camouflage or Pro Kabuki brushes, so you can get sheer to full coverage. Because the shorter bristles are densely packed, they can better hold and transfer powder, while the longer bristles are soft against the skin and help buff out product.
- 105 Flat-top Kabuki Brush – Designed with Luminous Liquid Foundation SPF 18 in mind, this Flat-top Kabuki Brush gives full coverage and a smooth, even application. Lightly buff the liquid mineral makeup onto the skin in a circular motion, blending as you go.
- 107 Angled Complexion Brush (coming soon!) – Made specifically for sheer to full coverage liquid foundation application, the Angled Complexion Brush can be a great tool for building coverage in problem areas.
- 109 Dual Foundation/Camouflage Brush – This dual-ended brush is the ultimate foundation multi-tasker. The small end is ideal for precise concealer application, and the large end is perfect for foundation. Since it’s dense and domed, it mimics the feel and pressure of using your fingers but gives your mineral makeup liquid a smooth finish with its synthetic bristles.
