The Ultimate Guide to Makeup Brushes & Tools!

Having the right tools and knowing how to use them can make a huge difference in your makeup application and technique but it can be a daunting task! What are your options? What do you need? Let's go over the different brushes and tools for each application!

Makeup Brushes

Below is a simple guide of brushes broken up into the top 5 essential brushes, the top 5 additional brushes to have on hand, and 5 travel brushes for on the go(throw it in your purse for touch-ups!) The brushes with kisses are my personal favorites and the ones I use most often!

Essential Brushes

1. Powder Brush - It's a wonderfully versatile brush that can be used with any powder! Use with your setting powder, blush, bronzer, highlighter, and even contour. HINT: When using this brush in smaller areas, such as contouring, you can hold/smash the hairs between your fingers to create a smaller blending brush.

2. Foundation Brush - Use to apply your foundation, moisturizer, or other skin products.

3. Eye Shadow Brush - Essential brush for applying and blending eye shadow.

4. Concealer Brush - Obviously for use with concealer! Its perfect for concealing those small blemishes or for concealing your under-eye area.

5. Angled Eyeliner Brush - Another versatile brush! Can be used to apply gel/liquid eyeliner, eye shadow, and even for eye brows. HINT: Use dry with eye shadow for a smudged liner or use damp with eye shadow for a more refined line if eye liner isn't available. HINT #2: Use this brush to fill in your eye brows with an eye shadow color that is most like your eye brows natural color (or slightly darker for a sharper look)!

Additional Brushes That Are Good to Have on Hand!

1. Smudge Brush - Great for blending out hard lines or creating a smokey eye by blending out the black eyeliner.

2. Small Shader Brush - It's almost like a larger smudger brush. Can be used to blend eye shadow, eyeliner, or to get into the tear duct area.

3. Crease Brush (Fluffy Dome Brush) - My absolute favorite eye shadow brush! I can use this brush to apply and blend all eye shadow colors. Use to apply and blend color on the crease, under the brow bone, or all over the lid! HINT: You can even use this for shading on the face!

4. Contour Brush - Another favorite of mine! Can be used for contouring cheeks or applying and blending blush!

5. Brow Groomer Brush - Comb can be used to brush out lashes before mascara and during application and the hard bristles on the other side can be used for brushing out eyebrows. HINT: The hard bristles can also be used on the lashes to help de-clump when too much mascara has been applied!

Additional Tools

Some other tools you might want to have on hand:

Alternatives

There are some other great alternatives to traditional makeup application using brushes! 

Airbrush Machine

If it's just for a special event, like a wedding, I just suggest hiring a professional who can do airbrush. If you're thinking about investing in a machine, they do make consumer-friendly ones, like Temptu sold at Sephora. In the end it could actually save you on the cost of makeup because you only use a few drops!

Beauty Blender Sponge

A great tool when used wet for blending out foundation lines and creating a faux airbrush finish! Although the video showing how it works claims the sponge doesn't absorb makeup, I find that I have to use a little more product - however I still love it!

XOXO,

Lisa Teller | Makeup Artist

Lisa Teller is a professional makeup artist specializing in airbrush makeup in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is extremely passionate about each of her bridal clients and is currently booking for 2013/2014.

For more information, services, bridal portfolio, or to book her for a session, www.lisateller.com

Stay connected:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lisatellermakeup

PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/lisatellermua/
INSTAGRAM: @lisatellermua

2013 New York Bridal Fashion Week Recap

April's 2013 New York Bridal Fashion Week recap includes a whirlwind of runway shows, dresses, models and coffee. Designers include Marchesa, Vera Wang, Reem Acra, Rivini, Ines Di Santo, Monique Lhuillier, Yumi Katsura, Kenneth Pool and more. Video by Grace Ormonde Wedding Style
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FAQ | Hair DO's and Hair DONT's

As a full-time hairstylist in a high end area, I feel like I’ve heard it all.  I thought I’d compile all the most asked questions to give you the 411 and leave more time to chat about the important stuff with your stylist- like your last date, your new shoes and your plans this weekend J

Q: My curls never seem to last! What am I doing wrong?

A: As a general guideline, prepping with great products is always a must!  Using a flexable hold mousse on wet hair before drying is a great way to build in a foundation of hold without feeling like your hair is crunchy.  My favorite is Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Hydrocream Whip.  The product itself feels rich and creamy, and smells fantastic! It leaves your hair feeling soft, but gives it the hold it will need to keep your curls where you want them!

Q: I want to grow my hair long, so I shouldn’t get it cut for the next few months, right?

A: WRONG! Trimming your split ends is the best thing you can do to help maintain healthy hair, and to allow it to grow.  When women go months without trimming their unhealthy ends, those ends will break off on their own! This will leave an uneven perimeter in your haircut, which leaves you with scraggly ends- yuck!  When client’s come in for a cut while growing out their length, I call it a “dusting” of their ends- between ¼’ and ½’ is just enough to maintain a healthy head of hair, and still grow out those lucious locks!

Q: What can I do to protect my hair from all the fun in the sun I have planned for the summer?

A: Worrying about your hair’s health is no reason to pass on a fun daytrip to the beach!  Laying out in the sun or taking a dip in the poor is what summer is all about, but don’t forget about your hair while your enjoying that sunshine!  Before jumping in, whether it’s the pool or the deep blue sea, make sure to prep your hair- Pureology Essential Repair Colour Max is a lightweight spray-in product that is made for sun protection and leave in conditioning.  They even come in travel sizes- perfect to toss into your carry-on, on your way to your fun in the sun! 

Hope this answers some of your biggest hair care questions! With all the products, tools and techniques out there, it can be overwhelming trying to sort out what makes the most sense for you.  

Feel free to email Jen with any other questions you might have- I’m happy to help any heads of hair in need! 

XOXO,

Jen Hatcher | Hairstylist

Jen Hatcher is a hairstylist of many talents - she loves seeing her client's faces light up when they look in the mirror and is especially passionate about bridal hairstyling! Whether it's bride's bobs, layers, or lowlights, she's happiest when her hands are in some hair!

Jen takes clients in a great salon in Downtown Pleasanton, CA and is currently booking for the 2013/2014 wedding seasons. 

For more information, services, bridal portfolio, or to book her visit any of these links:

BRIDAL HAIR/MAKEUP: www.lisateller.com

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/jenthehairgirl

STYLESEAT: https://www.styleseat.com/jenniferhatcher