Читать книгу Reading on Location - Rosie Watson - Страница 6

01 the tools

the tools

Precision is what you need for flawless make-up and this can only be achieved with the right tools. Fingertips are a vital part of the tool kit and are your best blenders but getting into small corners with eyeshadow and eyeliner is the job of a suitable brush. The best brushes are soft to the touch and are shaped according to the area of the face being treated. They should be easy to clean and should not release bristles freely.

Both synthetic and natural brushes are readily available and often synthetics are easier to clean, however, the blending power of natural hair in a tightly bound brush is remarkable. The best brushes feel sturdy but are light enough to achieve a feather-like touch to your application. A good set of brushes can easily last years and can prove to be your best investment so choose wisely and always ask to try out the brushes before you buy.

TYPES OF BRUSHES

① brow brush

② blending sponge

③ foundation base brush

④ eyeshadow dome

⑤ contour facial brush;

⑥ mini shadow brush

⑦ eyeshadow stubby

⑧ angled eyeliner brush

⑨ angular brow/lash separator

⑩ lip dome

eyeshadow blenders

blusher brush

powder brush

“When it comes to brushes, second best is never good enough but the best is never the most expensive! ”

Back to basics

Each brush has its own purpose so buy them individually in accordance with the make-up you use on a daily basis. There is no point in wasting money on something you will never use. There are a few essential basics other than brushes, however, which you should include in your kit.

Lash curlers The old style is often the best and this is definitely the case with lash curlers! Curled lashes look fantastic with or without make-up as they really open the eyes and give them depth.

Sharpener A good sharpener will have two holes: one for chubby pencils and the other for liners. Finding a good sharpener could save you pounds in shavings! Plastic sharpeners are often better as they are durable and light and are less prone to rust.

Tweezers Invest in a good pair of tweezers and carry them with you to pluck out any rogue hairs before venturing out in public! Tweezer tips come in many variations but often slanted or round tips are best as they are easier to handle and great at grabbing hairs. Pointed or flat-tipped versions can prove painful if not used properly as it is often easier to scratch or pinch the skin with these.

Wedges You may not use these regularly but when the time comes you’ll be glad you invested in them! They are great for blotting, blending and touching up throughout the day. Make sure you change these regularly to avoid spreading any infections and always use your own.

Cotton buds Cotton buds are the best tools for removing splodges or mistakes in hard-to-get-to areas and for blending eye pencils if you are missing a brush. Don’t be tempted to use the same cotton bud time and again – it should only be used a couple of times before discarding it.

The tool box

Give an artist one brush and they will paint you a picture but give them a selection and they can create something truly individual with differing textures, strokes and effects. Professional brushes are expected when treating clients but for your home kit you only need invest in a small, but good selection.

Powder brushes Large, domed ultra-soft brushes used to dust off excess powder and to apply bronzer all over the face. These natural brushes are great blenders of powder, bronzer and even blush.

Powder brushes

Blusher brush A smaller domed but still ultra-soft brush which should fit easily on the apple of your cheek without over spreading to prevent too much colour being dropped onto the cheek.

Blusher brush

Foundation base brush A medium but flat dome shaped synthetic brush used to apply cream foundation or concealer. This firm brush allows for precision and the ultimate finish.

Foundation base brush

Eyeshadow dome It is good to have two of these brushes – one for light shadows and one for darker shades. Synthetic brushes are good for precision lines and adding depth to shadows whereas sable brushes, because they are softer, are great for blending and finishing.

Eyeshadow dome

Eyeshadow blenders These are very soft, loose-bristle brushes, great for blending blocks or lines of colour as well as smudging light and dark shadows together.

Eyeshadow blenders

Eyeshadow stubby This square, firm brush is great for dotting on eyeshadow or block liquid liner before blending as it offers high precision.

Eyeshadow stubby

Contour facial brush This slanted dome brush is great for precision highlighting and shading of the face, especially the cheekbones. A brush like this can be used for practically any purpose so adapt it to fit your every day needs.

Contour facial brush

Mini shadow brush This very small dome is great for working along the lashes or close to the eye with shadow as it is firm and enables high precision. It is also a high quality blender, especially effective on lines of dark shadow or liners.

Mini shadow brush

Lip dome This is the main lip brush as it is firm to the touch and lip sized. It is designed to give precision without flooding the lips with colour and enables you to create the perfect lip line.

Lip dome

Brow brush This slanted brush is perfectly designed for contouring eyebrows, as well as applying and blending pencils and eyeshadows. Use the full length of the brush and sweep on the powder. Don’t dot or rub the powder on as this will damage the delicate bristles of the brush.

Brow brush

Angled eyeliner brush This odd looking bent fine line brush is ideally shaped for detailed liquid liner work around the eyes.

Angled eyeliner brush

Angular brow/lash separator Purposely angled to reach the corners of the lashes and brows to separate and comb the hairs to perfection. Also great for applying clear mascara to these areas. Make sure you clean the brush regularly to prevent the bristles getting clogged up with mascara.

Angular brow/lash separator

Blending sponge The king of the make-up kit! The blending sponge is superb at blending eyeliner and detailed shadow work around the eyes, as well as just about anything that needs smudging!

Blending sponge

Storing brushes

Professional make-up artists insist on using the correct brush for specific areas of the face as it makes their job easier. The packs of sponge applicators from the chemist are fine but to really gain precision and increase your artistry buy professional brushes and see the difference. We quite often spend an incredible amount of money on make-up products but aren’t bothered about applying them properly!

Take care of your brushes and store them in a pouch, roll or box designed to keep them safe and away from dust and possible damage.

To prevent brush damage and cross contamination ensure you clean your brushes well after every use. Brushes house microbes and bacteria which can cause infections and skin rashes if not kept meticulously clean.

trade tips

FOR BRUSHES

• Always try out the brushes you want to buy first by brushing them against the back of your hand and making sure the bristles do not fall out.

• Make sure you buy a proprietary brush cleaner as although soap and warm water are an option they can leave a scum residue on the brush fibres, which can cause clogging and concentration of colour. Brush cleaner contains mild alcohols that dissolve grease and any build up of cosmetics on the brush fibres.

• Brushes should be firm but flexible and have an even spread of bristles when pressure is applied.