Achieve Sheer Cover With Your Brushes

Having the correct tools to hand is always vital if you wish to carry out a task successfully.Think about it - you wouldn't drink a fabulous cocktail from an old coffee mug, use a paint roller to create a piece of fine art or serve caviar on a plastic plate, would you?With that in mind, is it any surprise that one of the top tips from professional make-up artists is to use a selection of high-quality make-up brushes when applying your concealer, foundation, eyeliner et al? They stress that achieving a flawless finish is all about the application.Thankfully, the majority of make-up companies offer a comprehensive range of brushes specially designed for applying different types of make-up.Make-up brushes are made from a range of fibres - both synthetic and natural - which each offer distinct benefits.To save confusion, an easy rule of thumb is that synthetic brushes are better for applying creams, while natural fibres, which are finer but more expensive, are ideal for achieving good coverage from powders.Synthetic make-up brushes are probably the most common type. They are typically made from nylon or takon but, while they are excellent for applying heavier products like concealer and creams that create high levels of coverage, they are not the optimum choice for applying fine powders.The likes of Sheer Cover brushes are made using goat hair, chosen for its combination of softness, fineness and relative affordability. Sable, squirrel, camel and badger hair can also be used in make-up brushes.Another important tip from the experts, and one that is easily forgotten during a busy week, is to regularly clean your make-up brushes.As well as limiting performance, dirty make-up brushes spread bacteria and germs - a particular problem if you share your brushes with family members and friends.Keeping your brushes clean is easy using the following five steps. First, run the bristles under hot water, being sure to clean away as much excess make-up as possible. Then, put a drop of shampoo on the bristles - baby shampoo works best. Thirdly, rub the shampoo into the bristles and rinse thoroughly with hot water.To dry, dab the brushes on an old towel. Not too firmly, as this will distort the shape of the brush. Finally, lay the brushes flat on the towel and leave them overnight to dry out thoroughly.It needn't take long, and you'll notice an instant improvement in the performance of your brushes. Another bonus is that you'll also extend their lifespan.After cleaning, remember to store your brushes somewhere clean and free of dust. Almost all make-up brush companies sell their products in handy carrying cases and they are available to buy separately too. They are ideal for keeping your brushes clean rather then leaving them at the bottom of a handbag.So to recap: if you want to achieve a flawless finish, purchase high-quality make-up brushes and take good care of them. It's as straightforward as that!