I’d be the first to tell you that whenever I used to buy brush sets, the first brush I’d put aside and never use is the concealer brush. I had fingers. What need had I for a concealer brush? Just another fiddly item to use in the morning and to wash.
And then one day, I came across the poor unused concealer brushes I had and thought “Oh you poor dears, I’m sure you were made for a reason. Let’s see what you can do” Needless to say, I never looked back.
So, since I’m a convert to using concealer brushes, let me tell you why they are really quite a good idea and why although we have fingers that do a good job, the concealer brush helps it look better 🙂
The most obvious thing about using a concealer brush is that it is small. That also makes it more precise getting your product where you want it to.
I use a combination of fingers and brush and here’s how I generally use a concealer brush.
- Squeeze product on back of my hand (or if its a pan product then don’t).
- Take a concealer brush and spread the product around to warm it up and coat the brush.
- Dab the product on the areas that need concealing – redness, spots, pigmentation, undereye
- Using your ring finger (4th finger) lightly pat to spread and blend the product into skin
I realised that a concealer brush alone didn’t blend the product very well and can sometimes make it look streaky. So I use my fingers to blend. I found that the concealer brush actually helped me use less product, get it where I want it to go more precisely and the result was more natural because I was actually using thinner layers. If I need more coverage, I dab the brush over again and I get better coverage.
It was just like using a mini foundation brush and I wondered why it took me so long to figure out that it was actually quite a good idea! This is especially so for the under eye area where I soon realised that using my fingers resulted in me applying more product than necessary and that it would sometimes look too thick and emphasize lines. With the brush, I get thinner layers, cover only the areas that need covering and once blended, get a more natural result.
For now, the brush I’m using is the Sigma F70 Concealer Brush that came in one of their brush sets. I would recommend a synthetic brush because when using concealers, you dabble in cream products and a synthetic brush makes it easier to clean. I’m quite happy with it as its not too sparse and is soft yet firm, and I see that its sold individually for about US$10 so its really affordable and that’s one to consider. Otherwise, I’m sure there are other ones in the market that I don’t know about 🙂
Do you use a concealer brush and have one to recommend? Have you ever wondered what they were for?
I only started using a concealer brush last year (2012) so I’m late to the party as usual LOL! I mentioned it to a friend and she told me she stopped using it because it made her concealer look streaky but if you use it the way I do (and as I notice many makeup artists do) i.e. dab on concealer with a brush and use your fingers to blend, it blends very seamlessly into your skin. Try it and see if you like it! 🙂
Paris B
I’m a recent brush concealer convert too. I agree that it provides more control and precision and the result is more natural.
Happy to know you agree, Gio 🙂 Which brush are you using for now?
At the moment, I’m alternating between Ecotools Concealer Brush and Sephora Concealer Brush. I use the first, which has very soft and dense bristles, to apply concealer on my undereye area and it gives me a very natural finish. But it’s too big for precision work, so if I need to hide a pimple or something like that I’ll use the Sephora brush.
Thanks for the recs, Gio! 😀
Long time lurker, first time commenter. I love using brushes for concealing and I follow the same technique as you do. I like to use domed fluffy brushes for undereyes and larger areas (like Real Techniques, Sephora, or EcoTools), and narrow, flat brushes for pinpoint concealing. My current faves is the RT Deluxe Crease Brush and believe it or not, a Princeston Art & Brush Co flat shader brush (from my local art store)! I use a lot of artist brushes for makeup.
Hi there, Rose 🙂 A few of you have mentioned using a domed fluffy brush for the under eye area so now I’m super curious haha! I’m going to have to give that a go, thanks for the tip! Hope to see you around more often 😉
Hi Paris, yes I love a domed brush for undereyes and larger areas. The lightest hand and a minimal amount of product (you can layer if you need more coverage) is key. I have really dark circles, made worse because I am so fair (MAC NC & NW 15-20, Chanel B10) and this is the method that has been the best for me.
Thanks Rose! Its great to know you found a method that works well for you!
I do actually, been doing so for a long time. I also use very fluffy brushes (eyeshadow blending) for my under eye area. It blends out the consealer very nicely and gives it a very air brushed finish.
I’ve heard so many suggestions to use a fluffy brush for the under eye! I tried it once without too much success but I’ll try it again for sure. Air-brushed finish sounds amazing 😀
I use both methods. However, I’ve got a different problem. No matter which concealer I use under my eyes it creases. When it’s windy, cold or too hot my are running a little and it completety destroys the concealer. The liquid ones underline wrinkles I didn’t even know I had, the creamy ones look a little too dry on my skin. I don’t know what too do. Every SA I ask says, well that’s just my skin and I can’t do much. :(. The MUFE Full cover seems to be helping, but only a little.
Hmm that’s unfortunate 🙁 The only thing I can think about is to apply only very lightly and a thin layer but I guess you’ve already tried that. If I work out a solution, I’d be sure to share, Maria 🙂
Nic from Pixiwoo likes to use the real technique domed shadow brush to apply concealers. I tried that and but I couldn’t get it to blend properly using the brush alone. So always have to use finger to dab and blend.
I’m the lazy / constant battling with time sort –> I only conceal dark circles and around the side of the nose. My current makeup routine takes me approx. 30 minutes. If I spend more effort on concealers… I’ll never get out of the house!! T_T
Hmm I really should watch more Youtube videos LOL! I tried using a fluffy brush for the under eye area as many people have suggested, but I couldn’t get that air-brushed look everyone was talking about either. A few swipes of a normal brush + patting it in with my fingers work better for me.
Perhaps there are some techniques of using a fluffy brush? I can’t get it to work either. It always end up looking cakey. 🙁
I agree that brushes are definitely better than fingers when it comes to spot concealing! I still prefer to use my fingers for my dark circles though, I find I’m able to blend more/faster with the concealer I’m currently using. Have you tried ELF’s $1 concealer brushes? They’re very small, so they’re great for spot concealing/being precise.
I agree with you about the under eye bit. Fingers are really the best way to go especially for seamless blending! I haven’t tried ELF’s brushes (we don’t get them easily here) but at $1, its a steal!
I forgot to comment! In December I bought a brush set, and since I don’t use eye shadows I experimented with that brush for concealer, and at the end I always blend with my finger, I really liked the finish; but right now I tried with the flat eyeliner brush and the precision is even better; you should try it.
Ooh eyeliner brush for concealing? I shall try that! Thanks for the tip!