This week I’m tackling two of what can potentially result in big beauty blunders; how to use the right makeup brush that won’t leave you red-faced and how to master the smokey eye without looking like you’ve had a run-in with a door – all with a little help from our friends at Bobbi Brown and Master Makeup.
by Bahar Etminan, Rescu. Editor and Founder
I sat down with Dean Nixon of Master Makeup to demystify every makeup brush from the standard foundation brush to the illusive Kabuki brush.
Bahar Etminan: Tell us, what are the three essential brushes every girl must have?
Dean Nixon: When developing my brush range my challenge was to create a simplified range that would meet all your makeup needs. If I had to reduce them even further I would say the three must haves would be:
1. The Kabuki Brush: which will apply all your powder products from mineral powder, bronzer, blush and illuminators.
2.The Foundation Brush: to apply all your liquid products from moisturiser to foundation and even crème blush
3. The Blending Brush: for all your eyeshadow application.
Bahar Etminan: How do you clean brushes and how often?
Dean Nixon: If you’re using your brushes everyday, I recommend washing them once every week in warm soapy water. I prefer to use a mild shampoo suitable for oily hair, as it will break down any build up in the brush. By washing your brushes regularly, you will find you will get better application and they will last for years.
Bahar Etminan: Can any brushes be used for more than one application purpose?
Dean Nixon: All of my brushes are designed to be versatile but my favourite “universal” brushes are the Kabuki Brush. You can even use it to refresh your liquid foundation by mixing a little moisturiser into your liquid foundation on the back of your hand and then buff the formula onto your already applied foundation to revive it.
The foundation brush will apply all your liquid products and the same goes for the concealer brush.
The eyeliner brush is designed to blend eyeshadow and pencil eyeliner into the lash line to give you the softest blend and the perfect starting point to any smoky eye.
Bahar Etminan: What is the best technique for applying liquid foundation with a brush?
Dean Nixon: I like to apply foundation only where needed to give you the most natural look. You really want your skin to look flawless but not made up. The best way to achieve this is to start your foundation in the center of your face, and using your foundation brush blend out and down. Most women really don’t need a lot of coverage around their forehead or jawlines so ease back on the amount of foundation around these areas. Colour is key though. You want your foundation colour to match your skin colour perfectly.
How To: Smokey Eye
The smokey eye is one of the most popular and hard to execute makeup trends of them all. Alphie SadSad Senior Makeup Artist Bobbi Brown Australia shows us how the expert’s do it.
The Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Sticks (LWCSS) are the easiest way to achieve a smokey eye. The great thing is, you’re only using your fingers.
Applying several layers of Long Wear Cream Shadow will achieve a much darker and smokier eye but it’s important to blend with every application.
1. Using Antique Gold as a base helps to create a diffused line on your eye crease.
Apply Antique Gold from your lash line to your crease. Blend your product up and above your crease to give the illusion of a blended eye.
2. Use Violet Plum on top of the Antique Gold.
Apply Violet Plum, swiping it from your inner corner to your outer corner, as close to your lashes as you can get. Blend the colour with your ring finger, close to your crease line. Violet Plum will give you the depth that you need to start with your smoky eye.
3. Apply in Bark like you would apply thin eyeliner. Blend again with your finger, creating a dark base on your lash line top and bottom.
4. Apply black gel eyeliner in between your lashes and inside rim.
5. Apply a few coats of mascara on your top and bottom lashes to finish your look.
RRP: $44 and is available in eight shades: Vanilla, Golden Pink, Sand Dune, Iced Blue, Forest, Shadow, Bark, and Violet Plum Available from Selected David Jones, Maxima and Myer stores and also online at bobbibrown.com.au
Read our Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick review here!
