The Beginner’s Guide to Makeup Brushes & Sponges

Vanessa Yang of Noir Cosmetics shares her must-have make-up brushes, how to use them and how to clean them.

Are you well-versed in the makeup brushes you use every day? If you answered no, you might be one of the many women who are using their brushes wrong. To better ensure you have the right tools for the job, Vanessa Yang of Noir Cosmetics, dishes on her must-have make-up brushes, how to use them, and how to clean them.

Contrary to common belief, you don’t need a hundred different brushes to do a good job on your makeup; in fact, you only need a couple, versatile go-tos. To lessen the amount of hardware filling up your makeup bag, (and to save you a buck or two) Yang recommends opting for brushes that can be used for multiple purposes. 

Makeup Sponges

Makeup sponges come in a variety of different styles, but essentially, they are all used the same way. You’ll notice makeup sponges tend to have a distinctive shape to them. The pointed edge, for instance, should be used for precise application of makeup in tight spots, such as under the eye, around the nose, or on the cheekbone. These types of sponges can be used to apply foundation, blush, contouring, as well as blending. Theoretically, you could use a makeup sponge to apply makeup to the entire face. Keep in mind: in order to use a makeup sponge regularly, you’ll need to clean it regularly as well, which requires you to use a special sponge cleaner.

Angled Blush Brush

You can use an angled blush brush for all your powdering needs, including (but not limited to) setting powder, contouring, blending, and of course, blush.

Eyeshadow or Crease Brush

This fluffy-tipped brush can be used for precise application of colored makeup in tight spots, such as the eyelid. The intended purpose of an eyeshadow brush is to deposit and blend color onto the eyelid at the same time.

Brow Brush

This demure angled number is called a brow brush, and it tends to be used to – you guessed it – fill in the brows. The tight angle of the bristles on this brush can also be used to apply eyeliner. To properly clean your brow brush, or any of the brushes aforementioned, invest in a professional brush cleaning agent; Yang recommends BeautySoClean for thorough results, and a great smell to boot! Yang also advocates for cleaning your makeup brushes after each and every use, to prevent inevitable bacteria build-up.