This post is all about 6 of the best beauty tools to achieve a minimal makeup look and capsule. I will discuss which tools they are, why and how to use them.
My father always told me that the right tool for a job made the task that much easier and with a better result. Never were truer words spoken. I’m sure that he never imagined in his wildest dreams that the concept also applied to makeup kit tools. Neither did I at the time.
Like all tools of a trade, there is a plethora to choose from, a multitude of brush choices, and a myriad of accoutrements and devices. The problem becomes what to pick and then how to use them. It can be intimidating and perhaps even paralyzing.
However daunting as it may seem at first blush, if one considers the overarching “job” and goals, the choices reveal themselves. For our purposes, our task at hand is to achieve a specific minimal makeup look as described in my post here which includes foundation, bronzer/contour, blush, eyeshade, mascara, and lip color. While simple, there is still a very worthwhile need to have at the ready, a core group of basic makeup kit tools to achieve the best result. And getting optimal results becomes even more important as we try to do more with less.
I will share what I believe to be the core set of 6 beauty tools. Not only are they effective, but they are also not intimidating to use.
You can decide for yourself.
6 Must-Have Beauty Tools
Beauty Tools #1-Makeup Sponges
Queen of the hill and tippity-top of the beauty tool list is the makeup sponge. It lands its premiere status because of its versatility, ease of use and singular effectiveness. It can be used instead of a brush or alongside a brush with the ultimate goal of blending makeup seamlessly achieving a skin-like “no makeup but better” look.
While Makeup Sponges have been around and used since the early 1920s, they were a bit different in concept and material than they are today. Beauty history annals indicate that sponges were originally invented when Max Factor introduced pancake makeup. To effectively apply, the makeup had to first be dampened. And thus, a makeup sponge was born.
Perhaps we all remember or for that matter currently use a triangular-shaped sponge. Believe it or not, that type of (latex) sponge didn’t change for decades!
Beautyblender and Makeup Sponges
It wasn’t until 2003 that a makeup artist created and then patented a pink egg-shaped sponge called Beautyblender. For those of you who don’t know, the Beautyblender looks like the pink egg in the photo above. It spawned a slew of “me-too” products at a variety of price points, shapes and materials, and transformed the makeup sponge as we knew it.
The differences between the small triangular-shaped sponge and the “new” makeup sponge explain its benefits:
- The material: the triangle sponge is latex and the Beautyblender (and many of the “me toos”) are non-latex. This matters because the non-latex material absorbs less makeup so there is less waste and smoother makeup deposit onto the skin
- Ability to hold more water: how it holds water enables it to blend much more seamlessly
- The shape: rounded edges everywhere enable smooth blending everywhere on the face
- It is reusable: no need to immediately throw it away; less waste; can still be sanitary if kept clean
Makeup Sponge | How To Use
To use most effectively, a makeup sponge should be dampened completely.
- Squeeze dry by hand and then also in a towel so that it becomes slightly to barely damp. Never skip this step. Otherwise, you will not be able to achieve a seamless result.
- Once damp, place the product so that it is ready to be applied to your face
- Dip the sponge into the liquid or cream product and then dab or bounce the sponge onto the skin to blend.
- Alternatively, after applying the product onto your face via fingers or brush, dab or bounce the sponge on your face as a final step to get that skin but better finish
As a bonus, the dampness of the sponge can offer more hydration and more luminous quality to the skin! As a final touch, spritz your sponge with a hydration mist like one and dab it gently over your makeup and skin.
Makeup Sponge | What to Buy
There are differences among the sponges of today and those include durability and type of material. But with that said, most are vastly superior to the triangle sponges of yore.
With all, it is critical to clean them at least every other day with mild soap. It is also important to let all sponges air dry between uses to prevent molding.
Here are a few recommendations:
Beautyblender
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
Click here to buy from Ulta– $6.59
Other buying options include Walmart, Target, Amazon
E.L.F. Cosmetics Total Face Sponge
Click above to buy from Ulta-$6.00
Other buying options include Walmart, Target, Amazon
Sephora Total Coverage Sponge
Beauty Tools #2, #3, #4-Makeup Brushes
Even with all of the makeup sponge accolades, there is still a definite place for the makeup brush either in place of a sponge or alongside a sponge and fingers-particularly with eyeshadow and dry powder products. However, at the end of the day, much is personal preference along with the desired final finished look.
Like the makeup sponge, brushes have transformed over time. In the past, natural hair was the better way to go. Now, advances in synthetic hair have made it a much better option for application, hygiene and price point.
In the spirit of minimal makeup, we need only 3 “all-purpose” brush types for different areas of the face. They are:
- Foundation brush (foundation, blush, contour, cream eyeshadow)
- Eyeshadow brush (cream and powder eyeshadow)
- Powder brush (setting powder all over the face or in specific areas)
Foundation Brush
This brush would be:
- Large, domed, round or flat for better buffing
- Synthetic densely packed bristles
- Able to handle both dry and wet substances: powder, liquid, creams
The product (wet or dry) is either applied to your face directly via fingers or a makeup sponge and then buffed into the skin with the brush. Or dip the brush into the makeup product, apply it directly onto the skin and then buff. The same brush can be used for foundation, blush, highlighter.
Both of these products produce excellent results:
Sigma Foundation Brush F80 Flat Kabuki
IT Airbrush Blurring Foundation Brush #101
Eyeshadow Brush
This brush is for blending and placement of cream or powder eyeshadow and needs:
- Synthetic hair
- Shape that fits well onto your eye so not too large
- Hairs that grip all types of product-powder, liquid creams
This is a cult favorite brush and for good reason:
Sigma E25 Blending Brush
Powder Brush
Just as it sounds, this is to set powder, diminish any shine in specific areas of the face or all over the face. It needs:
- Synthetic hair
- Larger size in general
- Loosely packed bristles to allow for more even powder pickup and powder distribution
- In this category, more expensive does not necessarily translate into a better brush
Real Techniques Ultra Plush Powder Makeup Brush
Other buying options include Ulta, Walmart
Som other brush options include ELF Powder Brush and Sephora brand Makeup Match Powder Brush
Beauty Tool #5-Eyelash Curler
Curling lashes enhances eyes no matter what shape or how much excess skin there is. And herein lies the beauty of the Eyelash Curler.
There are many different types and shapes of curlers. The theory is that the different shapes of the curling mechanism align better with different eye shapes.
With that said, the complication of figuring this out may outweigh the benefits particularly if you can’t really decipher the shape of your eye. More important, IMO, is to truly get the knack of using an eyelash curler. It takes a little practice and a relatively steady hand to get the curler close to the base of your eyelashes and then to press steadily for about 5-10 seconds. With the right technique, that curl will be noticeable. Mascara will lock in the curl.
Here are 2 good ones at different price points that are very comfortable to use:
Shu Uemura Iconic Curler
Tweezerman Classic Eyelash Curler
Click above to buy from Ulta-$14.50
Other buying options include Target and Walmart
Beauty Tool #6-Eyebrow Brush
A straightforward necessity to brush your eyebrow hairs to evenly distribute any kind of eyebrow pencil or powder.
There are a couple of different types. This “eyebrow brush comb” type serves a dual purpose: on one side, the brush to brush out the color and the comb on the other side to more evenly trim eyebrow hair. Alternatively, a spoolie or even a no longer used but clean mascara brush can do the same thing.
Final Thoughts
This post was all about 6 basic but essential beauty tools that will complete a minimal makeup capsule to help you with your best possible minimal makeup look.
Thank you for reading!
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Great article!
Great information! Over 60 and I am still learning how to get a natural look with makeup!
I’m glad this was helpful!