The brushes every kit needs

A drawer of thirty brushes will not save a look; five good ones, washed weekly, will. These are the five we hand to every student before anything else.

The fluffy blender

One large, soft-domed brush for crease work and for diffusing everything else. If you buy one brush this year, make it this one — hold it at the very end of the handle and let it do the blending.

The flat packer

A dense, flat head for pressing shimmer and pigment onto the lid. Fingertips work too, but the packer keeps fallout off the cheeks.

The pencil

Small and pointed for the lower lash line, inner corner and precise smoke. Also the best tool for softening harsh liner into something wearable.

The angled brow brush

Stiff and slanted for powder brows — and doubles as an emergency liner brush with a dark shadow and setting spray.

The powder duo

One fluffy powder brush for setting, one smaller for blush and bronzer. Wash them most often; they touch the most skin.

All five live inside our Professional Brush Set, along with seven more for when curiosity strikes.