1. Nothing will smudge.
   Your pores won't get clogged as easily.
2. Your skin will appear to be smoother.
   You won't have any imperfections.

Your fingers carry oils that can transfer onto your skin and clog your pores. Makeup brushes eliminate this risk for the most part; however, breakouts can still happen if you aren't taking care of your brushes.

1. Allergies
   High blood pressure
2. Arthritis
   Pink eye

Sharing brushes with others means that you are sharing bacteria. This can put all of you at risk of getting pink eye, cold sores and more. Avoid the risks by reserving your brushes for your use only.

1. One
   Two
2. Three
   Four

Makeup brushes are crafted with either natural or synthetic bristles. Natural hair is animal hair, while synthetic is often nylon. Each type has pros and cons, and each is best suited to certain types of makeup.

1. When there is excess shedding
   When the brush is stained
2. When the brush is broken
   All of the above

Makeup brushes are good for a while, but not forever. Knowing when to throw them out is key to getting the most out of them. When you start to have problems, such as shedding or the brush not coming clean, it's probably time to get yourself a new one.

1. Rubbing in circles
   Sliding back and forth
2. Tapping motions
   Swiping motions

A contour brush is great for strategically adding darker powder over your foundation, creating definition in the face. Available in different shapes, this brush usually has an angled edge in order to put that contour where you want it to be. Blending comes later!

1. Applying powder
   Keeping makeup even
2. Lining lips
   Applying liquid

For powder products, you'll have a much better experience applying them with natural brushes. On the other hand, you'll want to steer clear of liquid products with natural brushes. If you're using natural brushes, be aware that allergic reactions can occur.

1. A cakey look
   A spotty look
2. A streaky application
   A thin application

If you want your makeup to be a bit lighter, a brush with long bristles is the way to go. But if you want to have complete coverage, you'll want to use a brush with short bristles instead. It all comes down to your preferences and needs!

1. Concealer
   Makeup wipe
2. Contour brush
   Beautyblender

While brushes are handy tools to have around, the foundation brush may not give you the full coverage you're looking for. If this is the case, a Beautyblender sponge can often smooth any uneven areas that the brush may have created.

1. Up and down
   Left to right
2. Zigzag
   Circular motions

Circular motions create a soft look that isn't so harsh. If you want sharp lines that have definition, then a side to side motion will help you to achieve it. Think about what type of look you're going for, then pull out the right moves to get it!

1. Eyeliner
   Blush
2. Eyeshadow
   Pressed foundation

A kabuki brush is dense and can really pack a punch with any powder or pressed foundation, but it can also be used to apply liquid foundation. With this brush's nice density, you can be sure that you'll have an even spread of foundation that will look smooth and flawless.

1. Flat shader brush
   Concealer brush
2. Stippling brush
   Contour brush

A stippling brush is handy to have, as it can apply a light coat of foundation — actually tiny dots, much like airbrushing. The key to this technique is to use the very tips of the bristles.

1. Putting on eyeshadow
   Blending in eyeshadow
2. Wiping off eyeshadow
   Cleaning up edges of eyeshadow

The eyeshadow shader brush is useful in first applying eyeshadow to your lids. It's meant to pack on the product so that you can go in with another brush later and blend it all together. You can also use the setting spray technique with this brush.

1. Wet it
   Put powder all over it
2. Brush the product on it
   Put it in the washing machine

Before using a Beautyblender, hold it under running water, then squeeze out the excess. Being a sponge, the blender will absorb liquid makeup, which is good, but you don't want it to absorb too much. Wetting it first will offset this for the most part.

1. Concealer brush
   Kabuki brush
2. Angled brush
   Bronzer brush

A concealer brush is useful for applying concealer, as well as blending it all in. Concealer often comes with a small applicator, but a blending brush can keep the application even and consistent, especially under the eyes.

1. Stiff and rough
   Loose
2. Soft and gentle
   Rubbery

These brushes are meant for your face, which can be a sensitive place. You'll want your brushes to feel nice and gentle, to avoid irritation or damage to your skin. If the brushes feel rough, they're probably not ones you'll want to use.

1. Gel
   Cream
2. Powder
   All of the above

A brow brush helps you get that precise and sharp brow that many want to create. It's versatile, whether you prefer gel, cream or powder, so this brush is a must-have for everyone who loves makeup.

1. Brushing it out with a fine tooth comb
   Dipping it in blush
2. Washing it first
   Spraying setting spray on it

A little setting spray can go a long way, especially when it comes to putting it on your brush! This trick will help makeup adhere to the brush or sponge. Spraying some on your skin later will allow your look to last longer, as well.

1. The brush is made of natural hair.
   The brush was sold in a department store.
2. The bristles have a two-tone color.
   The bristles are falling out.

If the bristles are falling out of your brush and it's relatively new, then the brush may be of low quality. One or two bristles every now and then is nothing to worry about, but any more and you might want to buy a replacement.

1. Throw them out
   Put them in a case
2. Clean them
   Store them upside down

Cleaning your brushes should be an essential part of your beauty routine. Simply cleaning your brushes at least once a week will keep your skin healthier, your brushes nicer and your makeup looking beautiful!

1. Mascara wand
   Mineral powder brush
2. Lash comb
   Pencil brush

The pencil brush is an awesome tool for smudging. It allows you to blend the harsh line of an eyeliner pencil or blend multiple colors of eyeshadow. This tool works so much better than your finger!

1. Use less product
   Keep the bristles clean
2. Create fine details
   Keep your brushes longer

Synthetic brushes are great for effectively applying makeup where you need it, while using less product overall. Since the bristles are not made of natural hair, they are not porous, so makeup won't be absorbed into the brush.

1. Mineral powder brush
   Fan brush
2. Lip gloss brush
   Eyebrow brush

The fan brush is a great tool for anyone who wants to apply something very lightly. Because it's larger, with bristles further apart, it's great for applying some highlighter to your cheekbones for that extra shine.

1. Lip brush
   Blush brush
2. Foundation brush
   Eyeshadow shading brush

This brush is one that isn't exactly mandatory, as most lip products come with a built-in applicator. However, if you want to be more precise when applying the product, then you might find this lip brush helpful.

1. Blush brush
   Kabuki brush
2. Eyeliner brush
   Fan brush

Small, strong and precise, the eyeliner brush packs a punch, giving you all that you need to achieve the sharp line that you want. It's best used with eyeliner that comes in a pot, as most other liners come with their own applicator.

1. Mascara wand
   Fan brush
2. Eyeshadow brush
   Brow brush

The brow brush is a helpful tool that can fill in your brows and style them. Typically, the round spoolie side is used first to comb the brows, then the brush side is used to accentuate them with gel or another type of product. A final comb with the spoolie makes everything tidy.

1. Lip liner brush
   Dimple brush
2. Stippling brush
   Kabuki brush

There is no such thing as a dimple brush, though a brush that makes dimples could be useful! A typical makeup set will include a foundation brush, blush brush, kabuki brush, contour brush and a few others that are standard in the makeup world.

1. White
   Brown
2. Black
   They can come in a number of colors.

There no single color that all makeup brushes come in, and you'll likely see them in all colors of the rainbow. They come in shades of white, black and brown most commonly, so you can choose a color that you like most.

1. Morphe
   Lacoste
2. e.l.f.
   Wayne Goss

Countless companies sell makeup brushes, including some of the biggest, like Morphe. Before you shell out the dough on a set, it's a good idea to shop around, comparing cost and quality.

1. Blend
   Wipe off the color
2. Add glitter
   Apply a heavier layer of color

Applying a thicker layer of eye makeup is best done with the angled eyeshadow brush, which can get to precisely where you need it. This brush is also good for cutting your crease to get that exact look that you want to show off to the world.

1. Cheekbones
   Cupid's bow
2. Forehead
   All of the above

The highlight brush is what you need when you want to add shimmer to your face. A little can often go a long way, though, so you'll need to choose a highlight brush that suits your desired effect.

1. Soak them
   Put soap on them
2. Let them air dry
   Wet them

Soaking your brushes can be bad for them, as that water will have a better chance of getting inside the brushes and weakening the glue. It's better to run them under water briefly while washing them.

1. Blush
   Powder eyeshadow
2. Glitter
   Setting powder

Setting powder is a useful product to keep everything in place. To apply it, a powder brush will do the trick. The fluffy brush distributes the powder across your face to protect your makeup.

1. Rubbing alcohol
   Bleach
2. Hand sanitizer
   Baby shampoo

If you run out of cleanser or just want to use a cheaper alternative, baby shampoo is your makeup brush's best friend! Gentle enough on the bristles, it will also give the brushes a good clean that will leave them working like new.

1. Angled shader brush
   Duo brow brush
2. Eyeshadow blender brush
   Smudger brush

Now that all of your colors are on your eyelids, blending them is the next step. An eyeshadow blender brush will blend the colors together, removing obvious lines and creating a gradient. A good brush will make your lids flawless!

1. How expensive it is
   What size and shape it is
2. How pretty it is
   Which brand it is

The size and shape of each makeup brush is important, as it must perform a specific task for you. Do you need a brush to apply a light hint of blush, or are you looking for the brush that will help you create killer cat eyes? Each size and shape of brush is designed to fill a specific need.