Budget brushes

Trying to save money by purchasing an inexpensive paint brush will cost you more in time and frustration than it's worth. Also, the finish of your work paint work may look poor and unprofessional.

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Cheap paint brushes can still be used for application of glues and some paint projects that do not require a fine finish.

The bristles on an inexpensive brush will likely be synthetic (nylon) and if you spread them they will be un-tapered with a blunt end. This type of brush tip will not hold sufficient paint and the result could be a streaky paint job. Foam brushes also produce poor results for serious paint jobs &#; they are OK for small touch ups and spreading glues.

On inexpensive brushes, the ferrule (metal strap that grips the bristles) will not be tight or neat. This ferrule does not hold the bristles securely and some bristles inevitably end-up spoiling your paint job.

Quality brushes

Good quality brushes are highly recommended for interior painting. The type of bristle and brush style will depend on what type of paint is being applied and what it is you are painting. The make your painting job easier and looks more professional.

Wall, trim, and sash-trim are the three main types of bristle design. Wall brushes are usually flat bottomed and wide, roughly three to six inches. Trim brushes are flat bottomed but are thinner and narrower &#; usually one to two. Sash-trim brushes are cut on an angle and are normally two inches or less in width. For cutting-in or trim work the Sash-Trim brush is your best choice.

Quality brush bristles may be made of natural animal hair, synthetic, or a mix of the two. Natural bristles should be used only with oil based paint. Do not use with water based paint. You can also use synthetic bristles with oil based paint.

Quality brush bristles will be made-up of several different lengths, should taper near the end and have fuzzy looking tips like hair with split ends. This allows the tip to hold sufficient paint and should result in a smoother finish.

The ferrule in a quality brush is usually made of a non-corrosive metal, will be a tight fit and securely holds the bristles to the brush handle.

Breaking-in new paint brushes

To 'break-in' a new brush, here are a few tips:

• slap the brush against your hand or leg a few times, then against something hard like the edge of a table, to loosen the bristles
• spin the brush handle quickly rubbing your hands back and forth to spin-out any loose bristles
• dip the paint brush (about a 1/3 of the bristle length) in paint and paint an "X" a few times (on newspapers or something suitable), to break in the bristles
• remove any bristles that are bent or sticking-out
• natural bristle brushes should be conditioned by soaking the brush in linseed oil for a few hours prior to use.

At The Paint Shed, we offer a wide range of quality paint brushes at low trade prices.

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Tips and advice from the paint experts

 

Why You Might Not Need to Spend a Fortune on Your Makeup Brushes

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Main image &#; Juliaisaeva/Stocksy

Makeup brushes. To splurge or not to splurge? 

Whether you&#;re a makeup newbie or a pro, many of us have somehow ended up with some sort of selection of makeup brushes over our lives.

And while some might have been in your makeup bag for years, others may have let you down sooner than you&#;d hoped. 

But is it the expensive ones that last the distance? Or do the cheaper brands always come up trumps?

Here, I ask whether investing in expensive makeup brushes really does make a difference. Or, if choosing affordable options can also be a success story. 

I spoke to Jenepher Reynolds, founder of About Face Cosmetics and makeup artist Azesha Ramcharan for their take on how to know a decent makeup brush when you see one. And how much of our hard-earned cash is worth spending on them. 

 

Brushes VS other tools

What you use to apply your makeup first comes down to personal preference. If you like the feeling of effectively painting your foundation on, a brush is the perfect tool. Alternatively, if a damp sponge feels more satisfying or fingers feel more thorough, then choose accordingly. 

 

 

Think about what formula you&#;re using too. &#;You should use makeup brushes over fingers or sponges when blending powder or dry cosmetic products,&#; explains Reynolds. &#;A brush will blend eyeshadow, blush etc to create a seamless look.&#;

What you choose depends on your coverage needs too. &#;Fingers or sponge can blend liquids and creams for a natural finish,&#; says Ramcharan. &#;Brushes can provide a fuller coverage.&#; 

 

Are more expensive makeup brushes best?

On the one hand, spending more can pay off. &#;Premium brushes are often hand made from high quality materials and can last many years if cared for well,&#; adds Ramcharan. 

&#;[They] may feel softer and less scratchy than their cheaper counterparts. Brushes at very low-price points may not hold up to repeated use.&#;

 

 

This of course makes sense. The cheaper the makeup brush, the cheaper it probably was to make in the first place. This often equates to less thought going into its materials, potential longevity and functionality. 

However, Reynolds says it&#;s not only about what you spend. &#;I believe it&#;s a question of quality and not expense,&#; she says. &#;A prestige line could carry expensive makeup brushes but they may not be of the best quality. 

&#;The brand knows that people will pay for the brushes based on the brand name so quality may not be the company&#;s main concern.&#; 

This is music to my ears. I mean come on; we all love a bargain. And some brush sets are amazing value. That is, as long as you know what you&#;re buying. 

&#;If a set of 20 brushes costs $30 and you don&#;t even know what some of them are used for, more isn&#;t better,&#; says Reynolds. &#;In my opinion [you should] think twice about that purchase even if it&#;s just $30.&#;

If you want to learn more, please visit our website JWH.

So there is an argument for both sides. But overall, it seems that choosing quality over cost wins. 

 

How to spot a good quality makeup brush

First, look at the hairs (or bristles). &#;In this day and age, there&#;s no need to buy animal hair [makeup] brushes,&#; Reynolds says. &#;Brushes with synthetic hair are now made to emulate natural hair.&#;

She continues, &#;a quality brush will be dense in bristles but each individual hair will be fine (thin and soft). This will create a streak free application and help make blending products onto the skin so easy.&#;

 

 

Also, when shopping for your makeup brushes, try to have a feel of them first. &#;I want it to feel soft in my hand, not coarse,&#; Reynolds says. 

&#;Also, hold the handle with one hand and gently grasp the brush end and stroke it. I know &#; weird! But if any hairs come out into your hand, don&#;t buy it. It&#;s not well made, and you will be dealing with brush hairs on your face every time you put your makeup on.&#;

Next, consider its handle. &#;It may be made out of wood or plastic and the ferrule, typically made of metal, is the piece that attaches the bristles to the handle,&#; she explains. &#;The ferrule should be double crimped to ensure it is firmly attached to the handle.&#;

Roger that.

 

PRO TIP: When shopping for yours, first think about how many you might need. &#;On average, a foundation, concealer, powder, blush, contour, crease, shadow and angled liner brush will do the trick,&#; Reynolds says. 

&#;If you prefer to do your foundation and concealer with a sponge then forgo those two brushes, and if you keep it simple on the eyes, maybe you only need one [eye brush].&#;

 

Our pick of the best makeup brushes

• I am a huge fan of Real Techniques makeup brushes &#; their Expert Face Makeup Brush (£9 from Boots UK /$9 from Look Fantastic US ) is a staple in my makeup bag thanks to its softness and ease of use.

   

• Another brilliant &#; and affordable &#; brush brand is Eco Tools. Not only do their brushes feel premium on application, but the brand is also environmentally friendly. 

  I particularly love the Start The Day Beautifully Kit (£13 from Boots UK), which includes a powder brush, three eye brushes and an angled base brush.

• If you&#;ve got the budget to spend a little more, then consider MAC. Their 184S Duo Fibre Fan Brush (£24 from MAC UK /$30 from MAC US ) for example is a different shape to standard foundation brushes and offers a more lightweight way of applying liquid bases.

• And finally, the Trinny London T-Kit (£28 from Trinny London UK ) is a three-in-one brush. It has a lip brush, angled liner brush and smudging brush. It&#;s perfect for on-the-go and the ends are magnetic that click together seamlessly to avoid any mess.

 

 

The takeaway

According to the experts, the main thing to consider when buying makeup brushes is not the money, but the quality. Try not to be blinded by brand names and use Reynolds&#; tips on how to spot a good quality makeup brush.

If it costs £2 and has all the qualities listed then I&#;d say you&#;ve found yourself a bargain. If it costs £40 and the hairs are prickly and already shedding, put it straight back and forget it ever existed!

Full transparency? How brands can charge £40 and above for a single makeup brush, that can usually only be used for one product, baffles me. Especially after discovering my love for brands like Real Techniques. 

They don&#;t overcharge for what I believe are really decent brushes and, guess what? These brushes have lasted just as long as any of my premium priced ones &#; if not longer. 

 

Meet the experts

Azesha Ramcharan is a makeup artist based in NY&#;s Hudson Valley region. Clients have included NBC, The Juilliard School, Hessel Museum of Art, Craftsy, VOZ, and Kate McCleod.

 

Jenepher Reynolds has worked in the fashion, beauty, and cosmetics industries since . Having worked on such celebrities as Norah Jones, Wayne Gretzky and Harry Connick Jr., Jenepher&#;s resume is impressive. And it doesn&#;t stop there. When she grew tired and frustrated with the mark-up on make-up, she did something about it, and launched About Face Cosmetics, her own line.

 

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