Glamcor offers totally innovative products for the professional makeup artist. Everything from the mobile studio with electrical outlets and iPod dock, to the LED light kit, and brush belt with removable insert, it is all designed to make a makeup artists job easier.

My favourite brushes in the line are the short handle contour and the buffer. Both are amazing for applying any cream, liquid or powder products. The white handle bushes are made from high quality wood with a lacquered finish. This makes them easy to keep clean, as any smudges on the handle can be wiped away. The synthetic brush hairs on the contour brush and the buffer are really soft, and densely packed to pick up and apply product.

The face primer is the first in what will soon be a full cosmetic line. Formulated to control shine, even out texture, and create a long wearing finish. The primer is light weight and you only need a very small amount for the whole face. As an oily skin person I am significantly less shiny half way through the day. Which means less touch ups.

Glamcor products are available online and will also be available exclusively in Canada at Curlique beauty boutique.

I purchased my first Hakuhodo brush on the weekend at IMATS (International Makeup Artist Trade Show). These Japanese brushes are so beautifully made with real wood handles, metal ferrules and a variety of incredibly soft hairs. I bought the S142 blending brush which is amazing for blending through the crease of the eye. The blue squirrel hair is tapered perfectly, and is ever so slightly stiffer than my usual go-to MAC #224 brush which has now been demoted!

Image from Svend Lindbaek Photography

Sometimes brush cleaner is not enough to get emollient products like lipstick, or silicone products, like gel eyeliner out of your brushes. The best thing to break down the left over product is to use a small amount of soap. Squirt either dish soap or hand soap in the palm of your hand, and run the brush through it. The soap will bust through the emollients, making it easy to rinse away with water. Then follow up with brush cleaner to disinfect the brush.

Brushes are the basis of beautiful makeup. I’ve been a makeup artist for about 14 years, and I’ve collected tons of brushes and have multiples of those I cannot live without. It’s true that a basic brush set will get you by to do your own make up, but for those of you who want to expand your brush collection I recommend the following:

1. Flat edge liner brush — Most often an angle brush, or an ultra thin liner brush is the obvious choice. The flat edge however, is an excellent alternative for cream, liquid, powder, or gel eyeliner. The straight edge is perfect for applying liner into the very root of the lash line. This creates a defined eye without an obvious liner look. The technique of placing the brush against the eye and then picking it up is easier then trying to create a straight line in one complete swoop.

2. Short buffer brush — Or kabuki brush as it’s often referred to, is used for loose or pressed powder. The hairs on this brush are densely packed together, because of this, generally these brushes will apply quite a bit of product the face. Buffing powder onto the face using circular motions works very well with this brush. I tend to use it when applying an oil absorbing powder when I want the skin to look matte. Because of the super short handle it’s the perfect size for carrying in your makeup bag.

3. Mascara fan brush — Great for painting mascara onto the lashes rather than using a wand. This brush works best for precise mascara application, when there are can be no clumps. Or for people with very fair lashes, this brush will ensure mascara gets right to the base of the eyelashes completely covering them with product.

4. Pencil brush — If you can’t do a smoky eye and you don’t have this brush then go and get it, it will change your life! (ask Lisa) It really is the fool proof tool for smoky eyes. The pencil shape effortlessly smudges the eyeshadow or pencil to perfection in seconds. This brush will also add extra definition to the crease or corners of your eye make up. I’ve even used it as a lip brush in a pinch, or for covering a pimple because the brush tip comes to a point.

As a make up artist I’m completely obsessed with my brushes. Brushes can make or break my make up application, more so than the products I’m using. Advanced Beauty Tools are unlike any brushes I’ve seen or used before. The brushes are designed as an “art object as well as to function as a professional make up brush”. All of the brushes are made with 100% man made fibre called NuFibre. This of course makes them completely animal free. Not just ethically conscious but an excellent alternative for anyone who suffers from allergies or has sensitive skin. I have to admit I’ve added them to my personal brush collection and have been using them on myself daily!

Chrome Collection

I have to admit it took me a minute to get used to the shape of the handle on the Chrome Collection. What I absolutely love about the brushes is the texture of the hairs. The texture feels incredibly soft unlike any synthetic make up brush I’ve come across before. Having said that, I still found that the brushes both pick up and deposit product onto the skin really well. Blending is fast and easy. I especially like the large buffer brush, the foundation brush, and the eye contour brush.

Precision Brushes

These brushes have brilliant packaging. A true retractable case that pulls apart to expose the brush tip, and closes and covers when pushed together. Perfect for your make up bag. I love these for detailed work like sharp red lips, carving out a brow, or for more defined eye make up.

Foaming Brush Cleanser

The foaming brush cleanser sanitizes and cleans the brush fibres. After using black cream liner, 2 pumps on the micro fibre cloth quickly brought the brush back to new. The cleanser dries quickly too so you can switch colours, and keep going with your make up in minutes.

*Advanced Beauty Tools were provided to Smudge Style

It is virtually impossible to recreate some of the looks we have shown on our blog without the right tools. I love brushes and as a make-up artist I own hundreds, but for most people a starter set of five will do quite nicely. One thing I will say about brushes is that they are worth the investment. While you can often get away with spending less on a lipstick or eyeshadow a cheap brush will not perform, or last as long as one you spend more money on.

Brushes can be natural or synthetic or a blend of both. The important thing is the shape and texture, soft brushes pick up and apply less product and are good for blending. Stiff brush pick up and apply more product these are good for powder and cream products.

From left to right:

1. Powder or Blush-a medium size dome shaped brush made of goat hair is the perfect size to double for powder or blush.

2. Tapered Eyeshadow-a soft haired paint brush shape is ideal for blending eyeshadow through the crease of the eye. Or dusting eyeshadow all over the eye for a subtle blended look. It’s also very good for blending away hard lines so your eyeshadow looks more diffused.

3. Flat Shader-This type of brush is good for powder or cream products. Most companies carry a small or large version, choose according to the size of your eyes. It can be used on the eyes to create intensity because of the shape and density of the hairs. For example to achieve strong colour on the eyes you would pick up the colour on the flat side and press it against the eyelid.

4. Angled Brush-This brush is a definite must have. It can be used with powder, cream, or liquid products to define eyebrows or for eyeliner. Make sure you examine the angle on the brush before buying. The hairs should be tight together along the angle and not too wide.

5. Foundation Brush-This flat brush is for applying liquid or cream foundation. Because it is quite dense it will pick up alot of product, if you are heavy handed use with caution. You can achieve a very flawless finish with this type of brush, and unlike a sponge it will not soak up the foundation.

For tips on how to care for your brushes go to September 9th post on How Often Should I Wash My Brushes?

It is really important to keep make up brushes as clean as possible since they are touching your face on a daily basis. I recommend doing a deep clean once a week by diluting a small amount of brush shampoo (enough to cover the brush hair but not too much that the handle is submerged) in water. Try Bare Escentuals Brush Conditioning Shampoo or Sephora Purifying Brush Shampoo. Let the brushes sit in the cleaning solution for about a minute, then rinse under the tap until the water runs clean. Reshape the hairs and lay flat to dry hanging off a table top so the air can circulate. It’s best to do this process in the evening so your brushes are ready to go for the next morning. If it’s a quick clean your are looking for, alcohol based cleaners like Smash Box Brush Cleaner or Cover FX Brush Cleanser can be poured onto a tissue, and then you can wipe the brush back and forth until the hairs are clean.