Foundation Brushes 101

1) Concealer Brush
2) Foundation Brush
3) Flat Contour Brush
4) Flat Powder Brush
5) Flat Kabuki Brush
6) Domed Kabuki Brush

Let's talk about brushes. 

There are SO many brushes out there that it is hard to keep up with what's what. Today's post will cover the basics of foundation brushes- What each brush is called, what type of products it can be used with, and what in particular it each brush does. 

1) Concealer brush
$10 Ulta (discontinued) $4 BH Cosmetics 
The concealer brush has short, compact bristles that appear curved when looking at the brush from the front and flat when looking at it from the side. It is used to apply concealer to small areas (under the eye, around the mouth, hyperpigmentation spots) with precision. I also use mine to "clean up" my brows with concealer after filling and shaping my brow with brow pomade. 
This concealer brush by Ulta has been discontinued. Here is a substitute. 

2) Foundation Brush
$5 Amazon.com
The foundation brush looks like an overgrown concealer brush. It has long, tapered bristles (they get longer towards the center of the brush). The foundation brush should be soft and fluffy in order to apply foundation smoothly and evenly. It can be used to apply liquid, cream, and cream to powder foundation. I was extremely impressed with how nice this brush is and how well it works. It's a steal at $5...it's easily worth 5 times as much or more. 
This concealer brush can be purchased here. 

3) Flat Contour brush
$15 Amazon.com
This is my favorite brush right now. I've never been one for a lot of contouring and highlighting, but a few weeks ago I decided to give it another try. With this brush and Ruby Kisses 3D Face Creator in Level 16 I can create just enough of a shadow to accentuate my cheekbones without being too heavy handed. This brush has a long narrow head with very short very densely packed soft bristles. The shape of the brush allows for maximum control, only applying my contour color where I want it in a clean soft line. Some higher end cosmetic lines make comparable brushes, but I can't imagine that them being any better than this one. 
This flat contour brush can be purchased here. 

4) Flat Powder Brush. 
$3 e.l.f.
This might be the holy grail of makeup brushes. The flat powder brush has densely packed soft bristles that are flat on the top. This brush gives a very even "airbrushed" finish on the face. I use this brush to blend in my foundation after applying it with my foundation brush. I've also used it to blend stick foundation, to apply pressed powder, loose powder, liquid foundation, cream to powder foundation and bronzer. This brush is so awesomely inexpensive it's worth picking up a few of them to use with different products. 
This flat powder brush can be purchased here. 

5. Flat Kabuki Brush
$25 Ulta (discontinued) $10 e.l.f. (substitute)
Like the flat powder brush, the flat kabuki is flat (redundant, much?) and compact. The kabuki has a very short handle (usually an inch or so, but some are longer) and the head is larger than the flat powder brush. The flat kabuki is amazing as a buffer and gives an even better airbrushed effect. This is currently the only brush I use to apply pressed powder. The finish is AH-MAY-ZING. I've also used it to blend out stick foundation with the same results. 
This flat kabuki brush by Ulta has been discontinued. Here is a substitute. 

6. Domed Kabuki Brush
$6 e.l.f.
The domed kabuki brush is similar to the flat kabuki brush. It is short and compact with a short handle. The difference is that the top of the bristles is rounded into a domed shape. This brush is the ultimate of softness and fluffiness. It applies powdery products with perfection. This brush is best used for pressed and loose powder application, finishing powder application,HD powder application and bronzer application. 
This domed kabuki brush is available here. 

What are your favorite foundation and face brushes? Answer in the comments section below.