Creating flawless make up on the lips is something, that only recently, I have started to pay more attention to.  Using the bullet of a lipstick or the wand of a lip gloss is perfectly okay, although the results using brushes are much better, creating more of a polished finish.  The brushes I use at the moment are those already in my collection, none of which are specific lip brushes.  I am eagerly awaiting the launch of Karla Powell, Make-Up Artist's range of lip brushes for her own brand, Karla Cosmetics  The brushes she will be releasing very soon, are specifically for lips.  I have been following Karla's journey since meeting her at the Lush Redditch Emotional Brilliance Showcase Event, I attended last year, I'm really excited to see what 2014 may bring her way, she deserves all of the success she creates for herself, Beyonce would be proud of this beauty! The teaser pictures from her Lip Art Workshop's on Facebook are indeed driving me crazy, I want them now!

Source - Karla Powell Make-Up Artist

Personally I think that the trick to creating flawless lip make up using brushes is all down to preparation of the lips, you can see my step by step what I do and products I use, in My Lip Care Routine.  Lips are always the last thing I do when I apply make up and I start by using any (clean) toothbrush to buff away any loose dry skin.  I then use my fingers to rub a lip scrub into my lips which removes more stubborn dry skin and the scrubbing motion brings the blood the the surface gives the illusion of a plump, fuller appearance.  I then apply a light lip balm and leave for a few moment to sink in.  Once the Balm is completely absorbed I very gently sweep the foundation brush I used to dull down the colour of my natural lips.  You can read more about the Nanshy Brush I use for my foundation in one of my previous posts, Why Using Make Up Brushes Makes A Difference - Base.

 I recently changed my profile picture across all my social media platforms to a picture that I was really happy with, due to my make up, a look which was only achievable using the right brushes.  So instead of what I would normally do and detail which products I used,  I wanted to concentrate on the brushes I used instead. Today I want to talk you through the ones I used for my base and next week I go through the ones used for my eye make up.

It is with no doubt that I say using make up brushes dramatically improves the finished result of my make up.  Back in the day before I knew what a blog was, I owned one brush and used it for everything, never washed it and and replaced when it got grubby, I even applied eyeshadow with my fingers.  My make up never looked nice, is it any wonder?  Discovering blogs like Tanya Burr and Em Talks taught me how important it is to use the correct tools when applying make up, in order to get that flawless finish that us ladies crave.  It is impossible to get the best results without the correct tools, you wouldn't expect a chef to make a five star meal using a microwave, without the right equipment the food could not be its best, same goes for make up.

EcoTools are available at Beauty Chamber, Nanshy are available at a number of online retailers detailed on the  Official Nanshy Website

Creating the a flawless base is crucial in encouraging the rest of your make up to look the best that it can.  In this photograph I used primer, concealer, foundation and a cream blush for my base.  Crown Brush's Deluxe Oval Foundation Brush was my choice to sweep the primer over my whole face, this brush works well as the primer doesn't soak into the taklon bristles.  For foundation I use a variety of three tools starting with the Nanshy Flat Top Buffer Brush.  I use this to roughly apply foundation onto my skin then use the Real Techniques Buffing Brush to really work it in making sure it is completely blended.  Sometimes using brushes with cream or liquid foundations you can get lines where the bristles have been.  To eradicate these unwanted lines, I use the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge,  not a brush but an essential tool in my eyes.  This is the best sponge I have ever used, by lightly tapping the damp sponge all over the face it gives the face a really natural finish and avoids a cakey look.

Crown Brushes are available on the Official Crown Brush Website

Concealer is my best friend but only if used correctly,  less is more and by applying after foundation you will only apply to the areas that really need the extra coverage.  The trick to keeping your concealer as natural looking as possible is blending, without removing the foundation underneath. To apply the concealer to my under eye and around my nose I use the Ecotools Deluxe Concealer Brush, its a larger concealer brush and is great for these areas, but not the best for blending.  I use the Crown Brush Deluxe Round Angled Stippler to blend the concealer in, its really fluffy and does the job effortlessly.   For blemishes I find the Real Techniques Detailer Brush is perfect, its tiny so you can be really precise with it.



































The Real Techniques Stippling Brush is what I used to apply my cream blush, the is one of my favourite brushes ever.  It is so easy to build up a natural colour using a tapping motion packing the colour onto your skin rather than buffing or sweeping.  Having combination skin I feel the need to set my cream blushes with a powder in a similar shade, the Real Techniques Blush Brush gives me the perfect finish every single time, I love it.  Contouring and highlighting have become an everyday step in my make up routine, finding brushes to make the results consistent has been a mission but I have found the perfect duo.  My bronzer contour brush is Crown Brush's Angled Blush Brush, being in the angled shape its so easy to find the hollows of my cheeks, highlighting is made easy with the Real Techniques Contour Brush.  Remember brushes can be used for anything not just what they are branded as.



































Finishing with powder is a must for me as it keeps the the oil on my t-zone at bay all day long.  I use the EcoTools Powder Brush, its a great because its big but not too big so you can set around the eyes, by slightly manipulating the bristles with your fingers.  When doing my eyes I often get a little bit of fall out from eyeshadow or powder when I'm doing my brows.  The Crown Brush Deluxe Fan Brush is so handy just to sweep these mistakes away.  It saves so much time because it doesn't remove foundation and concealer at the same time, so no need for touch ups.

Below I have included a video from the House of Fraser YouTube channel which shows a similar way to how I use my brushes to create the perfect flawless base.  As there are not  specific brushes mentioned you can use your imagination and use your favourites to get the desired effect.


Thirteen brushes a day, just on my face, would you say this was normal or excessive?  Make sure you look out for Why Using Make Up Brushes Make a Difference next week when I'll be talking eyes.



*The Nanshy Flat Top Buffer brush and Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge featured in this post was gifted to me for the consideration of review