MAKEUP: 5 Eyeshadow Brushes I Can’t Live Without

An artist is always as good as their tools. Here are 5 makeup brushes guaranteed to give your eyeshadow skills a boost! (Psst: They’re very hard to live without.)

Like most things in my history with makeup, my introduction to eyeshadow brushes came from Estee Lauder. My grandma started a yearly tradition of gifting me the holiday gift set – included? Makeup brushes. Both for your eyes and your face. For years I worked those babies, sprinkling color around my face in all the right places. They weren’t exactly the best makeup brushes, but they got the job done and helped me discover the world of blending eyeshadow.

Today, my makeup brush collection is much larger and branches out to brands beyond Estee Lauder. For my face, I’m constantly mixing up the brushes that I use. My eyes, however? Another story. I’ve established an eyebrush lineup and we meet every morning (over a cup of black coffee) to create some magic together. Sometimes we’re bold, other times we’re neutral. But regardless of the look, this lineup is pretty much set in. I think when it comes to my makeup routine, my favourite step is by far anything to do with the eyes. Whether it is applying eyeshadow, liner or mascara, there is something satisfying about getting the look just perfect. Sometimes it takes a while to do these steps, but it is worth it in the end, especially when everything looks how you want it. Since I was recommended to check out beauty companies like Xlash, I think I have become a bit more obsessed with makeup than I was before. There’s just so many products to get stuck into, that you never get bored and that’s what I love about makeup.

As we start to transition into spring, it seems like a great time for me to introduce you to my 5 essential eye shadow brushes that will carry me through the season, and beyond. For me, these are the must-have eyeshadow brushes. There are others that I like very much, but when it comes to the ones I simply can’t live without…here are my picks.

And so, I present to you the 5 must-have eyeshadow brushes that will keep your eye makeup game strong af.

1. The MAC 217 Brush: I added in ‘the’ because I simply can’t find a brush more versatile and useful than this one. In fact, one isn’t enough so I have 5. I use it for sweeping color all over my lid, defining my crease, blending edges…you name it. If eye makeup was an Olympic sport, EVERYONE would be using a MAC 217 brush.

2. Sigma E40 Brush: No makeup look is complete without a finishing touch by my trusty Sigma E40 brush. The hairs of the brush swivel so nicely, ensuring that your corners and colors are blended to perfection. It’s actually kind of fun using this guy, like a dance party on your eyes.

3. MAC 239 Brush: This brush is designed to pack eye shadow onto your lid, but I find it’s absolutely PERFECT for adding shadow to your lower lash line. There’s something about the way it snugly fits right in there beneath your *cute* lower lashes. Of course, it is great for adding shadow all over your lid as well. It’s basically an all around gem, thank you MAC gods!

4. MAC 266 Brush: Another all-around gem is this sharp angled brush by our MAC friends. There are so many things I love about this eyeshadow brush, but let’s start with the handle. It may seem strange to have such a strong preference to the handle of a brush, but there is something about the way this one is designed that gives you A LOT of control. Which is perfect, really, because when using an angled brush…control is what you need. Even the most jittery of hands can create a winged eyeliner with a 266. I promise! It’s basically perfect – whether as an eyeliner brush (for both gel or powder), to perfectly fill in your eyebrows or to define a strong edge of a smoky eye. I use it for all of the above which is why I have three of these babies. They also clean in snap! #Score

5. Sigma E30 Pencil Brush: When it comes to a pencil brush, this one is goals. It smudges out kohl eyeliner pencils like a pro, beautifully blends shadow on your lower lash line (especially if you have an inner corner and outer corner shade) and serves as a virtual eyeliner on your upper lash line as well. If you can think of a use for a pencil brush, this one can do it with ease. Perfect!

Those, my friends, are my 5 essential eye makeup brushes. And, we have a lot of fun together. When it comes to approaching daily makeup, I always build my look around my eyes and armed with the eye shadow dream team – it’s a blast. We’re like mix masters together. Love!

Do let me know if you’d like a follow up to this with my favorite face brushes. Like I said, I don’t feel as strongly about face brushes as I do for eye shadow, but I’m show some of my favs. Thanks for reading!

5 Must-Have Eyeshadow Brushes
MAC 217 Blending Brush (here)
Sigma E40 Tapered Blending Brush (here)
MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush (here)
MAC 266 Small Angled Brush (here)
Sigma E30 Pencil Brush (here)

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