Lip Brushes

There's only really two types of lip brush; one retractable, and one not.  The fibres and shape is the same on both.  A lip brush allows for more precision when applying lipstick, giving a tidier finish, particularly to dark and red lipsticks.

MAC 316 Lip Brush

MAC 318 Retractable Lip Brush

Eye Brushes

Fluff Brush

A fluff brush has densely packed fibres which are good for applying powder eyeshadows.  It's also good for blending out eyeshadows.  These come in different sizes, so look for one that best suits your eye size.

MAC 213 Fluff Brush

---

Angled Shading Brush

Just like the fluff brush, this has densely packed bristles which are good for powder products.  The angle makes it good for applying and blending eyeshadow in the crease area.  Again, these come in different sizes.

MAC 272 Medium Angled Shading Brush

---

Flat Shader Blush

The synthetic hairs in this flat brush make it a great choice for both powder and cream products.  The hairs don't soak up cream products, and you can use the flat surface to pat on powder shadows to really build the colour.

MAC 242 Shading Brush

---

Short Shader Brush

Short Shader brushes are good for packing on dense amounts of eyeshadow.  This comes in handy when doing the 'outer v' section of your eye.  It's shape also makes it good for applying eyeshadow along the lower last line, or smudging out eyeliner.

MAC 214 Short Shader Brush

---

Flat Definer Brush

A flat definer works well when used to push products right into the last line when lining the eye, particularly with powder or cream products.

MAC 212 Flat Definer Brush

---

Pencil Brush

Pencil brushes allow you to place colour in small areas, such as the outer v, or lower lash lines.  It's also good for smudging pencil and kohl liner for a smokey eye.

MAC 219 Pencil Brush

---

Fluffy Tapered Blending Brush

Another brush that works well with powder products.  For larger eyes, this works well for depositing soft colour in the crease.  Smaller eyes may find it brings the colour too high up the brow bone.  It also works well for applying a highlight. 

MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush

---

Tapered Blending Brush

A stiff tapered blending brush lets you deposit more colour into a smaller crease area than a fluffy tapered blending brush.  They're also good for blending out any harsh lines.

Crown Brushes C139 Stiff Tapered Blending Brush

---

Eyeliner Brush

Eyeliner brushes come in different thicknesses.  Use them for liquid or gel liner.  Generally, the thicker the brush, the easier it is to control.

MAC 210 Precise Eyeliner Brush

MAC 209 Pointed Liner Brush

---

Angled Brush

An angled brush is a staple in a makeup kit. They can be used for lining with gel or liquid liners, winging out pencil liner, and filling in eyebrows.  These come in different sizes to suit all needs.

MAC 266 Small Angled Brush

---

Mascara Brush

If you're doing makeup on others, a lash brush is essential for applying mascara hygienically.  They're also good for combing brows into place and applying brow gel.  

MAC 204 Lash Brush

Face Brushes

Flat Rounded Foundation Brush

I don't often reach for this sort of brush to apply foundation, but I know that this is still the brush of choice for a lot of people.  It works well with liquid and cream foundations to provide a medium to full coverage finish.  I like to use this brush for applying moisturiser and foundation primer on clients.

MAC 190 Foundation Brush

Duo Fibre Stippling Brush

This brush is one that every makeup artist has (or should have!) in their kit.  The stippling brush is great for distributing smaller amounts of product.  Use it for liquid or cream foundation to build up the coverage slowly, or for applying super pigmented blushes.  Smaller duo fibre brushes are perfect for cream blushes.

Mac 187 Duo Fibre Brush

MAC 188 Small Duo Fibre Brush

Flat Concealer Brush

A smaller version of the flat rounded foundation brush, this synthetic brush is designed to specifically work with concealers.  It's size and slightly pointed tip means it's good for under eyes, and for getting into harder to reach spots like the corner of the nose.  Wipe off any excess product and use a patting motion to slowly build up coverage where you need it.

MAC 195 Concealer Brush

Buffing Brush

Once you've stippled on your liquid or cream foundation, use this dense brush to really work the foundation into the skin for a flawless finish.  Buff in small circular motions.  You can also use this with powder or mineral foundation for a medium to full coverage finish.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush

Blush Brush

These come in different sizes, so it's a case of finding which size suits you best.  They're slightly domed to make applying blush on the apples of the cheek and up the cheek bone easier.  These work best with powder blushes and highlighters.  The MAC 116 is a smaller blush brush, which makes it idea for more precise, concentrated blush application.  For a larger blush brush, try the MAC 129.

MAC 116 Blush Brush

MAC 129 Powder/Blush Brush

Tapered Face Brush

A tapered face brush is like a stretched out blush brush.  The more pointed end makes it perfect for contouring, particularly under cheek bones. Again, these work best with powder products.

MAC138 Tapered Face Brush

Angled Contour Brush

This is your other option when it comes to contouring.  The angle makes it perfect for contouring larger areas like the cheeks, jawline and forehead. 

MAC 168 Large Angled Contour Brush

Flat Blush Brush

This is one of the new comers to the game in terms of brushes.  This dense brush is great for creating a sharper, more defined cheek bone when used with blush.

Illamasqua Buff Up Brush

Fan Brush

Fan brushes have a couple of uses.  The first is that they're a great way to clean up any fall out from dark eye shadows.  The light brush is able to dust of dark specs without smearing them over your skin like many other brushes would do.  Their other use is for pigmented blushes, or super sparkly powder highlighters.  Because the fan brush only picks up a very small amount of product, it means that it can subtly apply products that might otherwise be too dramatic. 

Large Powder Brush

These brushes are soft and fluffy and are used for appying a finishing powder.  They work well as they only deposit a thin layer of product.  You can also use them with powder or mineral foundation for minimal coverage.

Real Techniques Powder Brush

Kabuki Brush

Kabuki brushes are denser than large powder brushes, meaning that that pick up and apply more product.  The higher coverage they provide makes them one of the most popular brushes for applying powder foundations.

Bare Minerals Full Coverage Kubuki Brush

Lipgloss

Lipglosses are great, either on their own, or layered over a lipstick.  Layering can provide some much needed hydration to a drying lipstick, or it can change the finish and colour completely.

---

Lipgloss Types and Finishes

Lipglosses range from clear, to sheer colour, to completely opaque.  There are a few different finishes to lipglosses too.
*Note:  I haven't put recommendations for the different finishes, as many lipgloss lines contain more than one finish.  Instead, I've just listed overall recommendations.

---

Cream

These are more opaque than sheer glosses, usually ranging from medium to full opacity.  These never have shimmer or glitter in them, They sometimes have quite high shine, giving a full, glossy look to the lips.

Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Petulant

Clinique Superbalm Moisturising Gloss in Grapefruit

---

Frost/Metallic

Frosty, metallic lip glosses contain shimmer which gives them a more complex colour.  They usually range from medium to full opacity.  If you find your lips are too dry to wear a frost lipstick, it's worth checking out a frost lipgloss.

Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Hermetic

---

Glitter

As you might think, these have glitter in them.  The glitter can range from fine to chunky, and the opacity from sheer to opaque, dependent on the base used.  The sheerer glittery shades are great for layering over lipsticks for special occasions.

MAC Lipglass in Hot Frost

---

Recommendations

Dior Dior Addict Ultra Gloss -Most of these glosses are about medium opacity, and have some shimmer in them.  The shade selection is great, and these work well both for wearing alone, and layering.  They're nicely hydrating and not sticky either.

Burberry Lip Glow - These are one of my all time favourite gloss formulas.  Opacity ranges from sheer to medium-full.  They have subtle shimmer, and give lips a full, glossy look.

Collection 2000 Lock n Hold Lipgloss - These are a cream finish gloss.  They range from sheer to medium opacity, and they're great for layering.  I love the sweet smell of them, but it might be a little much for some.  These are probably the stickiest lipglosses out of all of my recommendations.

Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss -When Illamasqua say intense, they mean it.  These shades are fully opaque.  The shade range isn't huge, but it's defenitly interesting, with colours like silver and blue.  They also include both shimmery and cream finishes in their range.

Bobbi BrownHigh Shimmer Lipgloss - If you want super sparkly lips, you won't find better than these glosses.  The sheerer shades are great layered over lipstick too.

---

Plumping glosses

Plumping lipglosses are a love/hate sort of product.  For people with thinner lips, they can give them that boost that makes all the difference.  For others they can be down right uncomfortable.  Many plumping glosses work by irritating the lips to increase blood flow, thus causing a plumping effect.  Some of the nicer glosses just tingle.  Others can really sting.  I try to stay away from these, as often the irritation isn't worth the result.

Recommendations

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker - There's a tingle with these, but it's not uncomfortable.  The physical plumping effect isn't massive, but the high gloss shine helps give the impression of plumper lips.

Dior Dior Addict Lip Maximiser -This is a nude gloss that you can use either on it's own, or on top of lipstick.  There's a slight tingling effect that plumps lips instantly.  Unlike other plumping glosses, this uses a collagen enriched formula to help plumpen the lips over time too.

Balm glosses

These are a lipgloss which specifically focuses on moisturising the lips.  Most of these are sheer, allowing much of the natural colour of you lips (or your lipstick, should you be wearing it) show through.  These are great for a subtle hint of colour, or to provide moisture and shine over a lipstick without changing it's colour. These can come with, or without shimmer.

Recommendations

Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss - I usually have one of these in my handbag, as they're so moisturising.  They're pretty sheer, but they provide a much needed moisture boost.  When applied, they feel cushion-y on the lips.  There's no shimmer in these.

Clarins Colour Quench Lip Balm Long-Lasting Moisture & Shine -These long lasting balm glosses have a nice shimmer to them.  They provide a healthy boost of hydration the whole time whilst on the lips.

Choosing a Lipstick Colour

So how do you choose a lipstick colour?  There are a couple of things to consider.

The main aspect to consider, once again, is your undertone.  If you have warm undertones, go for warm toned lipsticks.  Cool undertones opt for cool toned lipsticks.  You'll find that this isn't an exact science (I wear some warm toned lipsticks), but it's a good place to start.  Neutral toned lipsticks are pretty much good for every skin tone.

You should also consider how light or dark your skin is.  Dark colours look very dramatic on against pale skins, and can make them look washed out, whereas dark colours look a lot more flattering on darker skin tones.

Three different skin tones all wearing dark lipstick

I love bright colours on every skin tone, however I esspecially love how they pop against very pale or very dark skin.The hardest colours to pull off for any skin tone have got to be super pale colours.  Make sure that you wear blush if you're wearing a very light lip colour.

Light lipstick vs, dark lipstick

The next thing to look at in relation to lipstick colour, is what the rest of your makeup look like.  If you're not used to wearing lipstick, wear bold colours on either your eyes or your lips.  If you're more comfortable, experiment.  I usually opt for similar colour lipstick and blush.  Neither of these things are rules though.It's also important to remember that, more often than not, choosing a lip colour that is pastel, or paler than your skin tone, can make you look washed out.  Blush is a must have if you're wearing an opaque pale lipstick.

Recommendations

Here are some of my favourite lipstick colours.  I've divided them into three catagories; cool, warm, and neatural.

*Images from temptalia.com

---

Cool Skin Tones

Maybelline  Color Sensational Vivids Lip Colorin Electric Fuchsia - This bright fuchsia is one of my favourites from the Maybelline range.  Like the rest of the lipsticks in this line, it's soft and creamy to apply, and has good staying power too.

Giorgio Armani Lip Maestroin Red Fuchsia - For a comfortable, yet long wearing red, this is one of my top picks.  This red has pink undertones, so will flatter those with cooler toned skin.

Guerlain Rouge Automatique Lipstick in Rose Bengale - For a frost finish, this is a surprisingly wearable option.  The base is a soft rose, whilst the shimmer is a flattering pink.  This is one of the more forgiving frost formulas I've come across.

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Catfight - A full coverage, cream finish, this hydrating lipstick also has good staying power.  The bright pink-red is sure to get some attention.

Burberry Lipstick in Tulip Pink -If you're looking for a nude that isn't going to wash you out, this may be a good choice.  It's just right in terms of how light it is for most skin tones, as the pink tones keep it from washing you out.

Occ Lip Tar in Black Dahlia - For a darker, more dramatic colour, this wine toned deep burgundy is one of my favourites.  The colour can also be applied sheerly for a more subtle look.

---

Warm Skin Tones

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Bang - Oranges don't come much louder than this.  The full coverage, hydrating formula means you get long last coverage with comfort.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstickin Lover's Coral - For a sheerer, more subtle coral lipstick this is a beautiful colour to go with.  The formula is nicely hydrating too.

Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color inSoft Nude - This warm toned nude is a perfect every day lip colour.  The satin finish is lightly hydrating, without compromising wear time.

OCC Lip Tar in Super NSFW - If you're going to buy a red lipstick, make it this one.  This liquid lipstick has a gold metallic sheen, making it really stand out.

NARS Pure Matte Lipstick inAmsterdam - Nars' matte lipsticks are one of the best matte formulas on the market today.  This dark red has warm brown undertones, and is a great colour for a more dramatic lip.

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lip Color in Shocking Coral - The name pretty much sums up this shade.  A warm toned coral-pink, this colour screams summer.  The full coverage formula is nicely hydrating too.

---

Neutral Skin Tones

Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro inBlush - This is my go-to every day lipstick.  A neutral pink that will suit most skin tones, this long wearing formula means it doesn't need to much attention during the day.

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in F-Bomb - For a truly show stopping red that looks great on most skin tones, try F-Bomb.  There's a reason there's an Urban Decay lipstick in each category; they're full coverage, hydrating, and long wearing.

NARS Satin Lipstick in Dressed to Kill - The pinky toned red base is cool, whilst the gold glitter adds a warm tone to this lipstick, making it work across skin tones.  I love shades like this for a slightly more sophisticated red.  For a frost finish, this is comfortable to wear too.

Guerlain  Rouge Automatique Lipstick in Voilette de Madame -Another great every day colour, this nude pink is full coverage with a cream finish.

OCC Lip Tar in Lydia -  For something a little different, try this light plum colour.  Lip Tars are long lasting, and comfortable to wear.

Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in Caractere - This is another lipstick with gold shimmer that even cool toned girls can get away with.  The nude plum colour looks great across most skin tones.